1998 BUICK REGAL Steering Problems

CAR HAS BECOME VERY HARD TO TURN, UNLESS MOVING.

Mileage: 87,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V527000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,013.

Mileage: 200,013

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE RECURRED EIGHTEEN TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,000. UPDATED 09/02/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE BRAKES WOULD STALL, THE STEERING AND BRAKES WOULD FAIL AS WELL. UPDATED 09/16/2014 *JS

Mileage: 177,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN BUT HAD DIFFICULTY MANEUVERING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOWER BEARING ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V527000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION). THE VIN WAS INELIGIBLE UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,330.

Mileage: 108,330

1998 BUICK REGAL GS. RACK AND PINION PROBLEMS AT 96K MILES. NOTHING NOTICABLE LEADING UP TO PROBLEM. ONE DAY IT HAS HARD TO STEER TO THE LEFT. NOW IT IS EFFECTING TURNING TO THE RIGHT. *TR OTHER '98 REGALS WERE UNDER RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT FOR SOME REASON MY REGAL ISN'T. SPOKE TO BUICK AT 8666088080 AND WAS TOLD BY A MANAGER THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE IT WASN'T PART OF RECALL. KEPT REFERING TO CAR AGE EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAS UNDER 100K MILES. TAKING TO BUICK DEALER THIS WEEKEND TO SEE IF FIXING IS WORTH IT. DEALER SAYS FULL RACK AND PINION OVERHAUL WILL RUN $1500 TO $2000. CAR IS ONLY WORTH $2500. SAD TO SEE A CAR DIE BEFORE IT HITS 100K MILES BUT I GUESS THERE IS A REASON GM WAS IN SUCH BAD SHAPE.

Mileage: 96,000

STEERING WILL NOT TURN TO LEFT STEERING TURNS BACK TO RIGHT VIOLENTLY. *TR

Mileage: 83,265

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CONDITION, WOULD NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY, AND THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, AFTER THE REPAIR THE FAILURE RESURFACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.

WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT I LOOSE POWER STEERING CONTROL AND WHEN I TURN TO THE RIGHT IT WORKS MOST OF THE TIME BUT NOT ALL THE TIME LEAVING IT VERY HARD TO TURN. MECHANIC CHECKED THE POWER STEERING AND SAID THAT IT WAS ALRIGHT AND THAT THEIR WAS A RECALL ON THE LOWER PINION GEAR AND TO CHECK IT OUT. O A COUPLE OF OCCASION MY STEERING WAS OUT OF WHACK WHILE DRIVING AND I ALMOST WENT IN THE DITCH. *TR

Mileage: 122,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN PROCEEDING TO MAKE A TURN. THE CONTACT EXERTED MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V527000 (STEERING;RACK AND PINION). THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED FAILURES IDENTICAL TO THE ONES MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,000. THE ABS MOTOR FAILED WHICH PREVENTED THE REAR BRAKES FROM WORKING AND ALSO THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHEN USING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL. UPDATED 03/04/09. *JB

Mileage: 62,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V527000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION). SHE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPONTANEOUSLY DRIFT TO THE LEFT. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE NEEDED TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 01/14/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/15/09. *JB

MY CAR IS CURRENTLY EXHIBITING THE EXACT SAME FAILURES THAT ARE ALREADY LISTED ON NHTSA FOR MY MAKE, MODEL & YEAR. HOWEVER, THEY SAY MY VIN# IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL.....EVEN THOUGH I AM EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM LISTED! IT IS ACTION #EA03019 CAMPAIGN# 03V527000. PLEASE I NEED HELP BEFORE I HAVE A CRASH.....*TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING 1-5 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSTANTLY STALL. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER IT STALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,900 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,988. UPDATED 02/15/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SUCH AS STEERING GEAR FAILURE, WHICH THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED. AIR CONDITION FAILURE, TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER, WHICH THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED. THE IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED OUT. THE RIGHT FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED

Mileage: 91,000

I WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO ASSIST WHEN TURNING RIGHT, TURNING LEFT WAS O K. I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR HOME, IT WAS A SHORT DISTANCE. THIS OCCURRED ON OR ABOUT 8/2/07. ON 8/13/07 I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR WITH A MIRROR AND WAS ABLE TO FIND A OPEN CAVITY ON THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING UNIT. THERE WAS A SHAFT AND NUT IN THE CAVITY BUT COULD NOT DISCERN A BEARING. I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET FOR RELEVANT INFORMATION AND FOUND THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. I WENT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND FOUND OUT THAT THE DEALER HAD ACCOMPLISHED THE RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. I CAME HOME AND FOUND THE INVOICE FOR THE RECALL, IT INDICATES A DATE OF JULY 27, 2004, A MILEAGE OF 58,373 AND THAT THE POWER STEERING GEAR LOWER BEARING WAS REPLACED. THE CAR NOW HAS 96,644 MILES ON IT. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER ON 8/17/07 TO ASCERTAIN WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. JUST THOUGHT YOU MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. IN 2004, THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 03V527000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION). THE VEHICLE HAD 48,721 MILES AT THE TIME. SHE WENT TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED AGAIN AND SHE BELIEVES THAT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED SO QUICKLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

Mileage: 71,000

THE STEERING RACK AND PINION OF THE BUICK REGAL HAS BEEN NOTED TO FAIL IN VARIOUS MODELS, YEARS 1996-1998; HOWEVER MANY VEHICLES (IDENTIFIED BY VIN) ARE NOT SUBJECT TO RECALL STATUS. I BELIEVE THAT FURTHER INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE CONDUCTED, SIMPLY BECAUSE SOME OF THE VEHICLES NOT LISTED ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE STEERING SUDDENLY FAILS TO THE LEFT, CAUSING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS FOR THE DRIVER. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

1998 REGAL POWER STEERING RACK WONT TURN LEFT. THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE OF GM (BUICK) TO NOT STEP UP AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. I WAS GIVEN THIS CAR THIS YEAR WITH ONLY 26000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN 2 MONTHS THE STEERING GAVE OUT ON THE HIGHWAY 600 MILES FROM HOME. BUICK HAD THE SAME OLD STORY, YOUR VIN DOESN'T FALL WITHIN THE RECALLS BLOCK OF VIN'S. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH VIN'S OR PRODUCTION DATES. THE CASTING ON THE HOUSING OF THE STEERING GEAR IS WHERE THE TRUE MANUFACTURING DEFECT CAN BE IDENTIFIED. THE STATE DEPT OF REHAB WAS GOING TO PUT HAND CONTROLS IN THIS CAR FOR ME, BUT NOW I HAVE A 1200$ REPAIR BILL I CAN'T AFFORD. THIS ISN'T RIGHT. *JB

Mileage: 26,000

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HIS 1998 BUICK REGAL HARD TIME TURNING LEFT, USUALLY WHEN DRIVING AT 40 MPH OR LOWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP ,AND WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR RECALL 03V527000 DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD HE NEEDED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER, WHEN HE DID THAT THE MANUFACTURER TOLD HIM TO CONTACT HIS LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WENT BACK TO SAME DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING AND DIDN'T CHARGE HIM THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS OWN MECHANIC AND THEY INSTALLED TWO NEW POWER STEERING PUMPS. THE REPAIR STILL DIDN'T RESOLVE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DIDN'T THINK THAT THE DEALERSHIP RAN A DIAGNOSTIC ON VEHICLE BEFORE TELLING HIM THAT THE POWER STEERING VALVES NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS MECHANIC TOLDHIM THAT THE VEHICLE DIDN'T NEED TO HAVE THE PUMPS REPLACED, BUTTHE CONTACT THOUGHT IT WAS BEST TO HAVE PUMPS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BACK, AND TOLD THEM THAT HE DID HAVE THE PUMPS REPLACED, AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT MAYBE IT MAY BE HIS STEERING RACK AND PINION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BACK AND TOLD THEM OF ALL THE REPAIRS, AND ASKED THEM IF THEY WOULD REPAIR RACK AND PINION. HE WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOT DO REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY EXCHANGED HE PARTS OUT FOR THIS VEHICLE MANUFACTURED. AK

Mileage: 89,379

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS ON A STREET, THERE WAS A LOSS OF ALL POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE SERPENTINE BELT FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A TEST DRIVE, AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SHARP LEFT HAND TURN AT LOW SPEEDS, THE STEERING RACK AND PINION FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE STEERING RACK AND PINION AS WELL AS THE BUSHINGS WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

Mileage: 70,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING LEFT TURNS, THE STEERING BECAME HARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V527000, REGARDING THE RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Mileage: 78,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN LEFT. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #03V527000, CONCERNING THE RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Mileage: 80,000

VEHICLE HAS DIFFICULTY TURNING TO THE LEFT - AS IF THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED. WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE GAS AFTER MAKING A LEFT TURN THE CAR WILL JERK BACK TO THE RIGHT - THIS COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THERE IS A RECALL MATCHING THIS INFORMATION, HOWEVER THE INCONSIDERATE PERSON (WILLIAM BLOECHEL) SAID THAT THIS CAR IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL AND WOULD NOT LET ME SPEAK TO ANYONE ELSE AT THE COMPANY. *JB

STEERING REQUIRING MORE EFFORT THAN NORMAL AND JERKY WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP AND FLUSHED SYSTEM, ALL NEW FLUID. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. TOOK IT TO A DEALER BECAUSE THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. BUICK RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V527000 DATE: 2003-DEC-11 COMPONENT: STEERING: RACK AND PINION THE DEALER SAID MY VIN WASN'T COVERED IN THE RECALL BUT THEY WOULD BE GLAD TO CHECK IT & FIX THE PROBLEM IF I PAID FOR IT. WHAT GIVES? WHAT GOOD IS A RECALL IF THE DEALERS DON'T HONOR IT? I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON CARSTATS.COM OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DEALERS SAYING THEIR VIN ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *NM

Mileage: 73,000

RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED BUT NOT INCLUDING MY VIN. *JB

Mileage: 59,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOOSES ALL POWER STEERING WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V527000 REGARDING THE STEERING: RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Mileage: 111,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOOSES ALL POWER STEERING WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V527000 REGARDING THE STEERING: RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Mileage: 111,000

THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT DEALERS AND BUICK SAYS IT DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN NO. NHTSA NO. IS 03V527000 MFG. NO. RECALL NO. IS 03062. THE COMPLAIN AND PROBLEM IS WITHIN THE STEERING OF THE CAR THE RACK AND PINION WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN OF ANY SORT THE RACK AND PINION TRIES TO PULL THE STEERING BACK TO THE RIGHT WITH A RE-PRONOUNCED JERKING , IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR WILL NOT TURN LEFT, I HAVE CALL SEVERAL BUICK DEALERS THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL. I HAVE CALLED BUICK THEY SAID THERE WAS WITH THE SAME EXACT SYMPTOMS I HAVE, BUT THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN. NO. THEY SAID TO TAKE IT TO A BUICK DLR. HAVE THEM CHECK IT , AND IF, AND ONLY IF ,IT IS THE SAME AS THE RECALL STATES THE WILL ONLY ASSIST IN THE REPAIR. AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DEALER CHECKING IT . THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND HAS TO BE REPAIRED , I DON'T FEEL I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT WHEN THERE IS A LIGHTENING RECALL ON THE BOOKS FOR THE PROBLEM. I NEED HELP , BEFORE SOME ONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *JB

I TOOK CAR MY CAR INTO A SHOP TO HAVE CHECKED OUT, ONE OF MY COMPLAINTS WAS THAT MY STEERING APPEARED TO BE LOOSE AND NOT TURNING RIGHT WHEN I TURN LEFT ESPECIALLY. ALTHOUGH THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN CONTINUOUSLY IT HAS BECOME A BIG CONCERN OF MINE. IT SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE I DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE MECHANIC LOOKED UP AND FOUNDED THAT A RECALLED HAD BEEN PLACED ON THIS MAKE OF AUTO. I CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS IMMEDIATELY, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALLED. THIS PROBLEM IS SERIOUS AND I WILL LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYWAY YOU CAN ASSIST ME. *JB

DT: THE VEHICLE TURNS PROPERLY TO THE RIGHT, BUT WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT, IT FEELS AS THOUGH THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP BEING REPAIRED, AND CONSUMER WAS TOLD IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH RACK AND PINION. VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE CURRENT RECALL.*AK *JB

Mileage: 95,000

I WAS DRIVING ON AC EXPRESSWAY WHEN MY STEERING FAILED. I COULD TURN RIGHT BUT WAS BLOCKED FROM TURNING LEFT. AFTER SOME TIME I COULD FORCE THE CAR TO GO LEFT, BUT IT FORCED THE GEAR BEARING TO SLIP AND NOW THE STEERING WHEEL IS 180 DEGREES UPSIDE DOWN AT STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION. I HAVE NOT HAD THE CAR REPAIRED YET. IT IS STILL INOPERABLE. THIS REGAL WAS MADE IN CANADA IN APRIL OF 1998, MORE THAN SIX MONTHS AFTER THE BUICK REGAL RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. I AM ASKING FOR AN INVESTIGATION FROM ODI SO THAT IF ALL 1998 AND 1999 REGALS HAVE THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THAT THEIR OWNERS BE NOTIFIED THAT STEERING MAY FAIL WHILE DRIVING. ONLY THE 1998 REGAL OWNERS WHO HAD CARS BUILT FROM 1/1/97 TO 10/15/97 HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED SO FAR. AND WITH MY VEHICLE BEING MANUFACTURED SIX MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL, IT WASN'T JUST BUILT WITH AN ERRANT 'OLD' PART, AS G.M. CLAIMS, BUT WHICH CAN BE REFUTED BY ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS SINCE THEN. OWNERS MUST BE INFORMED, AS THE REGALS WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD WITH THE PITCH THAT THE CARS COULD GO 200,000 MILES BEFORE WEARING OUT DUE TO THE 'W' WHEEL BASE. AND OWNERS LIKE MYSELF MAY TRY TO DRIVE THAT FAR- NOT KNOWING THAT THE STEERING FAILS AT AROUND 100,000 MILES.

Mileage: 130,000

CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR A RECALL CONCERNING STEERING GEAR BEARINGS. CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN AGAIN SINCE THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUED TO MALFUNCTION. DEALER STATED THE REPAIR ONLY CONSISTED OF ONE PART, AND THAT PART HAD BEEN REPLACED. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ,AND STATED THAT THE CONSUMER WAITED TOO LONG, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD. NHTSA RECALL STEERING GEAR BEARINGS 03V527000.*AK

Mileage: 68,000

RECALL 03V527000 CONCERNING STEERING GEAR BEARINGS. VEHICLE IS HAVING PROBLEMS MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS. WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN THE WINDING NOISE GETS LOUD, AND STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK......UPON MAKIN GLEFT HAND TURNS STEERING FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. NEEDS STEERING RACK TO CORRECT PROBLEM. REVIEWED A RECALL NOTICE. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME RACK PROBLEM. YETR THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK

Mileage: 79,500

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER TRIED TO TURN LEFT BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. AND CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN LEFT. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO TURN RIGHT. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

RECALL 03V527000 CONCERNING STEERING GEAR BEARING FAILURE. CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH EXERTING MORE EFFORT WHEN MAKING TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE TWO FRONT TIRES DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR AND HAD TO GET A FRONT END WHEEL ALIGNMENT WHICH WAS A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE RACK. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

Mileage: 116,772

RECALL 03V527000 CONCERNING STEERING GEAR BEARING FAILURE. CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH EXERTING MORE EFFORT WHEN MAKING TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE TWO FRONT TIRES DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR AND HAD TO GET A FRONT END WHEEL ALIGNMENT WHICH WAS A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE RACK. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

Mileage: 116,772

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS THE LEFT STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR. *AK THE DEALER DETERMINE THAT THE SHORT RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NM

Mileage: 85,301

ON JANUARY 23, 2004 I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO THE LASORSA BUICK DEALER FOR SERVICE CONCERNING MY STEERING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I PAID TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED CONCERNING THE STIFFEN STEERING. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR GM CARS AND MY VEHICLE FELL INTO THIS GROUP. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT CONFIRMED OR DENIED WHETHER VEHICLE WAS PART OF THE RECALL. IF IT WAS, I WOULD LIKE SOME KIND OF INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS RECALL. PLEASE! SEE NEW YORK POST ARTICLE DATED JANUARY 13, 2004, GM RECALLINGSM 800,000 CARS. *LA

Mileage: 60,725

THE RACK AND PINION STEERING WENT OUT IN NOVEMBER OF 2003 AND WAS REPLACED BY DAY MOTORS. A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR WE SAY ON TV AND IN THE NEWS PAPER THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS REPAIR. DAY MOTORS SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS RECALL. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS, THEY RESPONDED AND SAID THAT OUR VEHICLE VIN # WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I FAIL TO SEE HOW THIS COULD BE, AS THE DEFECT STATED ON THE KELLY BLUE BOOK INFORMATION DESCRIBES THIS SAME PROBLEM I HAD WITH THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. HAD I NOT CAUGHT THIS PROBLEM IN TIME, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.*AK

Mileage: 20,000

AS THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE POWER STEERING DID NOT RESPOND. LATER, THE STEERING WORKED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN A LEFT TURN WAS MADE. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS. RECALL#03V527000. THE ENTIRE STEERING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SC *JB

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER SAID THAT BUICK HAD A RECALL ON VEHICLE FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *LA

Mileage: 70,000

WITHOUT WARNING, THE CONSUMER WAS BARELY ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING HEEL TO THE LEFT SINCE THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE. *PH RACK AND PINION SYSTEM FAILED. *MR

STEERING. *AK

GRINDING AND STEERING PROBLEMS. *PH THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING A DEFECTIVE RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS COOLANT, OIL AND TIMING COVER GASKET LEAKS. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING TO THE LEFT STEERING COLUMN FAILED. THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN ONLY TO THE RIGHT. DEALER REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION SHAFT GEAR AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY LOOSE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *NM

I HAVE A 1998 BUICK REGAL. IN DECEMBER THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, I WAS ABLE TO TURN TO THE RIGHT AND WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY, ABLE TO TURN TO THE LEFT. THE AUTOMOBILE HAS ONLY 14343 MILES ON IT AND THE VIN NO. IS [XXX]. *AK I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THIS BECAUSE IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVING I FEEL THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS PROBLEM SHE BEING NOT AS STRONG AM ME. I REPORTED THIS TO BUICK AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL BUT MY VIN NO. WAS NOT INCLUDED. I FEEL THAT ALL 1998 BUICKS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND CHECKED. THANK YOU. UPDATED 07/30/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Mileage: 14,110

I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP (MCCADDON BUICK-BOULDER, CO) ON 2-6-04 REGARDING THE RECALL ON 1998 BUICK REGALS WITH A STEERING PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT FORCED BUICKS RECALL. IN FACT, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MAY 21, 2003 FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $1200.00 TO FIX MY CAR. THEY SAID THE PROBLEM SHOULD NOT GET ANY WORSE SO I HAVE PUT UP WITH THE HARD STEERING (TO THE LEFT) SINCE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID MY AUTO WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING LEFT TURNS IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER, AND THE STEERING BECAME STIFF. DEALER DETERMINED A STEERING PROBLEM, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH AND MAKING LEFT TURNS THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE AL;SO PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

INQUIRY WHETHER OR NOT INVESTIGATION AND ENGINEERING ANALYSIS LED TO A RECALL.*MR CONSUMER LETTER WAS SENT BY DOMINICK GRAZIANO IN REFERENCE TO THE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT # 10042719 CONCERNING A 1998 BUICK REGAL STEERING DEFECT. CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF INVESTIGATIONS AND ENGINEERING ANALYSIS HAVE LED TO A RECALL.*MR

DEFECT WHICH CAUSED THE WHEELS TO TURN TO THE RIGHT WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. *PH THE VEHICLE WAS INTERMITTENT WHEN TURNING LEFT AT LOW SPEEDS. THE CONSUMER'S WIFE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. RECALL#03V527000 *SC *JB

FAILURE IN STEERING SYSTEM. *PH THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE, HOWEVER HE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT A BEARING IN THE RACK AND PINION HAD FAILED. *JB *NM

C/S STEERING COLUMN STICKING WHEN TURNING. FOUND RACK AND PINION GEAR BINDING CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO TURN LEFT. REPLACED RACK AND PINION WITH SHOR GEAR AND RESET TOE IN TO CORRECT CONCERN. TEST DROVE TO VERIFY.

Mileage: 43,097

HAVE 1998 BUICK REGAL WITH SYMPTOMS IDENTICAL TO RECENT SAFETY RECALL 03V527000 FOR STEERING DEFECT. HOWEVER, SINCE CAR WAS BUILT IN FEB 1998 IT APPEARS TO BE OUT OF THE RANGE OF THE GM RECALL (ENDS FOR CARS BUILT PRIOR 10/97). SUGGEST RECALL BE EXTENDED TO RECALL CARS WITH SAME SYMPTOMS THAT WERE BUILT IN MONTHS SURROUNDING TIME FRAME SINCE GM PARTS TRACKING NOT THAT EXACT. *LA

Mileage: 49,000

CLUNK NOISE OCCURS WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT AND WHILE GOING IN REVERSED. ESPECIALLY NOTICED AFTER CAR PARKED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED IT IS A COMMON NOISE AND NOTING TO REPAIR. BUT DEALER NOTICED THE STABILIZER LINKS WERE CRACKED. AND WAS REPLACED.*AK

PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING MECHANISM. *MR THERE WAS A CLUNKING SOUND IN THE STEERING MECHANISM. MECHANICS BELIEVED THAT THIS WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RACK AND PINION. THE STEERING STARTED TO HAVE DIFFICULTY IN MOVEMENT AS WELL AS ALMOST LOCKING WHEN SLOWING OR TURNING. *SCC *JB

CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE TRAVELING AND MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN THAT POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. *AK VEHICLE ROLLED AFTER A STOP AND POWER STEERING LOCKED UP FROM THEN ON. HARD STEERING AND CLUNKING NOISE ON LEFT TURNS. *PH

Mileage: 84,768

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT TURN LEFT. *AK THE VEHICLE GAVE NO INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG IT HAD GONE OUT AT ONCE. THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED ASSISTANCE FOR THE REPAIRS. *SCC *JB

Mileage: 51,501

STEERING WHEEL HAS GOTTEN HARDER AND HARDER TO TURN OVER A 8 HOUR PERIOD OF TIME. STEERING WHEEL FINALLY LOCKED UP, AND VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. HE REPLACED A STEERING MECHANISM. *AK CONSUMER NOTED THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED THE DEALER WHO SOLD THE VEHICLE TO THE CONSUMER. *PH

Mileage: 66,000

PROBLEMS WITH RACK AND PINION CAUSED THE STEERING ON VEHICLE TO BECOME HARD WHILE TURNING.*MR *TS *JB

Mileage: 62,000

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE TURNED TO THE LEFT. VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO MAKE RIGHT TURNS. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FAILED. THE DEALER TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLE. *AK *NLM

Mileage: 16,426

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS CAR. WHEN SHE WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN THE STEERING LOCKED OR APPEAR TO LOSE POWER. SHE THOUGHT THE CAR SHUT OFF, SO SHE STEPPED ON THE ACCELEATOR AND THE CAR WENT INTO A MIS-DIRECTED DIRECTION. SHE WAS ABLE TO RECOVER BY TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH

Mileage: 53,130

MY STEERING WENT OUT WHILE TRYING TO PARK MY CAR, MY CAR HAS 70000 MILE AND IS WELL MAINTAINED.IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I PROBABLY WOULD BE DEAD NOW. IT WAS A EXPENSIVE REPAIR,AND IN MY OPINION THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. I HAVE A 1998 BUICK REGAL.

Mileage: 72,000

WHEN REVERSING AND TURNING, FRONT LEFT TIRE FEELS LIKE IT'S NOT TURNING AND DRAGGING.

Mileage: 30,856

WHILE DRIVING RACK AND PINION STEERING LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING.*AK

POWER STEERING RACK. INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER ASSIST WHILE TURNING TO THE LEFT. DEALER DIAGNOSED AS BAD POWER STEERING RACK. *NLM

Mileage: 117,000

SYMTONS AND COMPLAINT IDENTICAL TO NHTSA CAMPANIGN #02V286000

Mileage: 96,700

CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NO SUMMARY. DT

STEERING BINDS IN LOW SPEED TURNS AND ALWAYS MAKES WHINING NOISE. FLUID LEVEL OK. *AK

THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY BROKE WHILE IN A PARKING LOT. VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TURNED TO THE LEFT. NORMALLY AT THE TIME THIS OCCURRED, I WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE FREEWAY AND MOST LIKELY WOULD HAVE SUFFERED A FATAL CRASH. THE DEALER SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FACTORY DENIED ANY STEERING PROBLEMS, RECALLS OR REPAIR ASSISTANCE. DEALERSHIP MECHANICS SAID THERE HAS BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. DRIVE TRAINS AND ENGINES ARE WARRANTED TO 100,000 MILES ALONG WITH EMISSIONS SYSTEMS. A PART AS ESSENTIAL TO SAFETY AS THE STEERING SHOULD NOT BE FAILING ESPECIALLY AT THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THIS CAR. THE OWNERS MANUAL MAKES A BIG DEAL OUT OF THE FACT THAT TUNEUPS, ANTIFREEZE, ETC SHOULD LAST 100,000 MILES. ISN'T STEERING MORE IMPORTANT!! I FEEL THAT BUICK SHOULD PAY FOR THIS REPAIR.*AK

STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN IN LEFT DIRECTION, AND IT WAS POWER STEERING. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE VEHICLE SAFELY. *AK

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, BRAKE CALIPER FELL OFF, JAMMING FRONT WHEEL CAUSING IT TO FREEZE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE IN REVERSE BUT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL STAYED LOCKED. THE CAUSE WAS FOUND TO BE TWO BOLTS THAT HOLD THE CALIPER SHEARED OFF. THE CALIPER, AFTER COMING OFF, JAMMED THE FRONT WHEEL MOVEMENT TO HALT. THE VEHICLE SHAKED WHEN BACKING AND TURNING DUE TO POWER STEERING GEAR FAILURE. THE BRAKES PULSATE WHEN APPLIED DUE TO EXCESS RUNOUT OF BRAKE ROTORS. *YH

STEERING MAKES NOISES AT START-UP OF CAR ESPECIALLY IN COLDER WEATHER. IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING CLANKING. WILL TAKE TO DEALER WHEN WE RETURN TO FLORIDA IN 9 DAYS. IT HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE.

BINDING, RACHETING AND VIBRATION IN STEERING. REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP TWICE AND RACK AND PINION STEERING UNIT ONCE. VIBRATION STILL PRESENT. DEALER SAYS MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, BUT NO FIX YET, AFTER EIGHT MONTHS. YET.

CAR ALARM FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. MJS

THE G.M ALARM SYSTEM GOING ON BY ITSELF, THE DRIVER THINKS IT IS CAUSED BY ELECTRIC DOORS IN THE VICINITY. YH

THERE IS A NOISE IN STEERING -TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AT LEAST 5 TIMES. *AK