17Affected configurations shown1,159,156Potential units affected—Latest completion context
What can happen
Safety consequence
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.
What fixes it
Official 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 JANUARY 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
Recall lifecycle
Repair completion history
Campaign-level completion reporting. This does not determine whether a particular VIN has been repaired.
Latest reported completion: available in the live DOT record.
Affected vehicles
Vehicle configurations connected to 02V286000
1998 CHEVROLET VENTUREOpen vehicle record →1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIEROpen vehicle record →1998 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTEOpen vehicle record →1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORTOpen vehicle record →1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIXOpen vehicle record →1998 PONTIAC SUNFIREOpen vehicle record →1997 CHEVROLET VENTUREOpen vehicle record →1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIEROpen vehicle record →1997 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTEOpen vehicle record →1997 PONTIAC TRANS SPORTOpen vehicle record →1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIXOpen vehicle record →1997 PONTIAC SUNFIREOpen vehicle record →1996 CHEVROLET LUMINA APVOpen vehicle record →1996 CHEVROLET CAVALIEROpen vehicle record →1996 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTEOpen vehicle record →1996 PONTIAC TRANS SPORTOpen vehicle record →1996 PONTIAC SUNFIREOpen vehicle record →
Owner action
Campaign pages describe the public recall record. To determine whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall, use your VIN and verify the current status through NHTSA.