Model year record

1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 218 owner complaints on file.

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
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip24
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline17
Steering: rack and pinion16118,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine868,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission7
Air bags667,158 mi
Air bags: frontal694,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator692,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components596,450 mi
Vehicle speed control5100,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly4
Seat belts: front: retractor4
Structure: body475,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition3
Electrical system: ignition: module3
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe336,366 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights386,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump3
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system3118,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage3
Seats: front assembly: recliner3
Steering3220,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump3
Suspension: front3
Visibility: power window devices and controls3120,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module2132,013 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2120,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2120,000 mi
Exterior lighting2
Exterior lighting: turn signal286,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2
Seats2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2
Steering: hydraulic power assist system264,897 mi
Suspension: front: control arm2
Suspension: front: wheel bearing2
Vehicle speed control: cruise control265,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2
Wheels2
Air bags: side/window1
Child seat: tether: strap/webbing1
Electrical system175,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: wiring1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Engine and engine cooling1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1119,000 mi
Equipment: electrical1
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights1120,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch155,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump1
Interior lighting1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seat belts1
Seat belts: rear/other: buckle assembly1
Service brakes, air1
Service brakes, air: antilock150,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1120,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections167,035 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Structure1
Structure: body: bumpers1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Suspension: rear: axle: spindle1
Unknown or other1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1120,000 mi

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of 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.

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.