Model year record

1997 Chevrolet Lumina

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 438 owner complaints on file.

Chevrolet Lumina, 1995–2001 generation
Pictured: the 1995–2001 generation. Za3tOoOr! from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V527000

Steering: rack and pinion

Component
Steering: rack and pinion
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
750,283
Reported to NHTSA
2003-12-11
Owners notified
2004-02-05

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Safety risk

IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Steering: rack and pinion3895,000 mi
Steering2075,000 mi
Air bags18100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline18102,700 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1653,000 mi
Air bags: frontal15100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip15—
Power train: automatic transmission13—
Engine and engine cooling: engine1166,000 mi
Unknown or other11—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1072,817 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator855,490 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system7—
Vehicle speed control776,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor734,295 mi
Engine and engine cooling6114,498 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights660,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump647,000 mi
Electrical system510,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system5—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components5—
Steering: rack and pinion: rack587,056 mi
Structure: body560,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt5—
Electrical system: horn4—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system455,490 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system470,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc4—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)4116,154 mi
Suspension: front4—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer4—
Electrical system: ignition3—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system3—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly3—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch3—
Seat belts: front: webbing3—
Service brakes, hydraulic355,490 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads387,056 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3—
Steering: column3163,950 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly385,000 mi
Structure340,000 mi
Suspension351,000 mi
Visibility: windshield3—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs398,000 mi
Air bags: on-off switch assembly2—
Air bags: side/window2—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system266,500 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2—
Exterior lighting260,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights273,900 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch264,352 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap2—
Fuel system, other2—
Power train2—
Seat belts: rear/other2—
Seats2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump287,056 mi
Structure: body: door2—
Structure: body: trunk lid280,000 mi
Structure: frame and members2—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint250,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2—
Visibility: power window devices and controls268,000 mi
Wheels2—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1163,950 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module175,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electronic stability control (ESC)1189,632 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys153,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1—
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices1128,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights169,300 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: unit1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal173,900 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail1161,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Fuel system, other: storage1—
Interior lighting1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1—
Power train: axle assembly1—
Power train: driveline: differential unit1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts: front1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Service brakes1100,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1140,000 mi
Steering: gear box: shaft sector1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1—
Steering: rack and pinion: pinion shaft1—
Suspension: rear: axle: spindle1108,000 mi
Tires1—
Tires: valve174,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—

The 1996 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Chevrolet Lumina model years

All Chevrolet Lumina recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.