15Affected configurations shown750,283Potential 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 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.
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 03V527000
1998 BUICK REGALOpen vehicle record →1998 CHEVROLET LUMINAOpen vehicle record →1998 CHEVROLET MALIBUOpen vehicle record →1998 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLOOpen vehicle record →1998 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASSOpen vehicle record →1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUEOpen vehicle record →1997 BUICK REGALOpen vehicle record →1997 CHEVROLET LUMINAOpen vehicle record →1997 CHEVROLET MALIBUOpen vehicle record →1997 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLOOpen vehicle record →1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREMEOpen vehicle record →1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASSOpen vehicle record →1996 BUICK REGALOpen vehicle record →1996 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREMEOpen vehicle record →1996 PONTIAC GRAND PRIXOpen 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.