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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CORROSION OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR'S INTERNAL WIRING, WHICH CAN OCCUR OVER TIME, COULD CAUSE THE INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG. THIS DEPLOYMENT COULD OCCUR DURING VEHICLE START-UP, WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OR IDLING, OR WHILE IN OPERATION.
Safety risk
IF THE CONSUMER IS TOO CLOSE TO AN INFLATING AIR BAG, SERIOUS INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INFLATORS ON THESE AIR BAGS.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Air bags: frontal
8
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
6
—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash
3
54,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery
2
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine
2
—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
2
60,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission
2
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components
2
—
Steering: rack and pinion
2
—
Vehicle speed control: cables
2
26,000 mi
Air bags
1
—
Air bags: side/window
1
—
Electrical system: ignition: switch
1
—
Electrical system: starter assembly: relay
1
46,138 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood
1
—
Engine and engine cooling
1
77,950 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting
1
—
Seats: front assembly: recliner
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads
1
—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
1
—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device
1
58,675 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system
1
78,000 mi
Structure: body: door
1
—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments
1
—
Suspension: front: control arm
1
—
Unknown or other
1
—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior
1
—
Visibility: windshield
1
—
The 1995 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has roughly the same number of 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.
