1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER Steering Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF ALL THE DETAILS INVOLVING THE REPAIR AND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DISCLOSED TO THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V286000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Mileage: 180,000

1997 CHEVY CAVALIER STEERING COLUMN AND DASHBOARD CAUGHT ON FIRE ON MARCH 10, 2011. CAR HAD NO MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL ISSUES PRIOR TO THE FIRE. CAR WAS IN EXCELLENT WORKING CONDITION. CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE HOUR AFTER BEING USED FOR A SHORT DRIVE. THE CAVALIER WAS PARKED OUTSIDE IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE. FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO BE CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE FROM THE CAR. NO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF THE RECALL FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IGNITION SWITCH DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 185,747

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME RESISTANT AND LOCKED. WITHOUT STEERING CAPABILITY, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE FAILURE AND CONCLUDED THAT THE CRASH WAS NOT DUE TO ANY TYPE OF DEFECT. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. UPDATED 05/04/11 *BF UPDATED 1/5/12 *CN

Mileage: 116,000

1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER WITH A STEERING COLUMN RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THEY NEVER RECEIVED THE FIRST RECALL AND BY THE TIME THEY RECEIVED THE SECOND ONE THEIR DAUGHTER HAD DIED IN THAT VEHICLE DUE TO AN ACCIDENT. *KB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN FROM A STOP, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE POWER STEERING WORKS WHEN DRIVING FORWARD AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, BUT FAILS ONLY WHEN TURNING LEFT. GMC STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V286000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION). THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A CHEVROLET DEALER AWAITING REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,000. * UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

Mileage: 61,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. A NHTSA RECALL, # 02V286000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE STEERING:RACK AND PINION HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR UNDER THE RECALL.

Mileage: 120,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A MECHANIC. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 02V286000, REGARDING THE RACK AND PINION; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Mileage: 84,005

THE STEERING COLUMN IN THE CONSUMER'S 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER LOCKED UP. THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TS THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM IN JANUARY 2003. *NM

RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE. CAR FAILS TO STEER LEFT AND ALMOST CAUSES A CRASH DUE TO LACK OF BEING ABLE TO STEER. ABILITY TO STEER TO THE RIGHT IS FINE. MAKING LEFT HAND TURNS NOW WORRIES ME WHEN DRIVING. DURING MY COMMUTE I AM CONSTANTLY WORRIED WHETHER OR NOT I CAN MAKE A LEFT-HAND TURN. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED THREE ACCIDENTS. WHY WASN'T THIS RECALLED CONSIDERING ALL THE THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS LISTED WITH THE NHTSA? PLENTY OF GM MODELS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. WHY SHOULD CONSUMERS TAKE THE FALL WHEN IT STEMS BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER?

Mileage: 125,000

TAKING A LEFT TURN IN A 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, CAUSING THE CAR TO VEER LEFT WITHOUT ABILITY TO CORRECT UNTIL EXPLICIT FORCE WAS APPLIED. THE INCIDENTS LEFT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH SLUGGISH CONTROL AND THEREFORE UNSAFE FOR DRIVING. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH ASKED FOR 800$ FOR THE REPAIR OF THE STEERING WHEEL. INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DEFECT IN GM CARS HAS BEEN SEEN THROUGHOUT THE INTERNET, AND A COMPLAINT IS MORE THAN NECESSARY.

Mileage: 8

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V286000 CONCERNING RACK AND PINION STEERING. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SERVICE. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, AFTER REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT, HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS.*AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V286000 CONCERNING RACK AND PINION STEERING. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SERVICE. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, AFTER REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT, HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS.*AK

DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN IN 97 CAVALIER, CAUSED AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN EXTREME INJURIES. *BF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 02V286000. THE CONSUMER WAS MAKING A SLOW LEFT AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED LATE STRIKING THE CONSUMERS LEFT EYE. *TC *JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A STEEL POLE. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER WAS INJURED AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL THE NEXT DAY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE RACK PINION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE VEHICLE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN RACK PINION STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT RACK AND PINION: PINION SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V186000; STEERING ASSEMBLY; THE OWNER TOOK HER VEHICLE IN FOR THE RECALL BUT WAS INFORMED THAT OTHER ITEMS WERE WRONG. THOSE ITEMS WERE REPAIRED SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE. IT APPEARS THAT THEIR INTEREST WAS NOT ABOUT THE STEERING, IN WHICH THEY ONLY REPLACED THE LOWER PINION. THE CONSUMER QUESTIONED THE REPAIRS MADE TO HER VEHICLE ALONG WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILING ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO HER. THEY ARE NOT CLAIMING ANY FURTHER RESPONSIBILITY. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *JB TIRE WAS HIT WITH A NAIL CREATING AN UNBALANCED TIRE. *TC

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT AND WHEN TURNING INTO THE DRIVEWAY RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED. CONSUMER TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT THE WHEELS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE DID NOT TURN, RESULTING IN A COLLISION, AND INJURING THE DRIVER. *AK

Mileage: 81,150

RACK AND PINION STEERING WENT OUT- WAS LATER A RECALL. HEAD GASKET CRACKED LEAKING OIL AND ANTIFREEZE. AIRBAG RECALL.

Mileage: 50,000

IN FEBRUARY, I HAD TAKEN MY 1997 CHEVY CAVALIER TO THE DEALER FOR THE BEARING RECALL IN FEB OF 2003, AFTER THAT I HAD PROBLEMS WHEN TURNING LEFT MY STEERING GETS HARD AND HAVE NO CONTROL, I HAD THE RACK CHANGED, IN JULY OF 2003 IT WORKED FINE UP TILL SAT. JAN 10, 2004 I HAD NO CONTROL WHEN TURNING LEFT AND RIGHT IT WAS LIKE I HAD NO POWER STEERING. AND IT STILL DOES IT, AND IM AFRAID THAT IT COULD INJURE MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN. I SAW THE RECALL THAT GM WAS DOING AND THOUGHT THAT THIS COULD BE MY PROBLEM AS WELL. *LA

THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FROM A PREVIOUS RECALL. RECALL NO. # 02V286000, SUBJECT: POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY. WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN. THIS IN TURN CAUSED THE CONSUMER'S GRANDDAUGHTER FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TO COLLIDE WITH THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE DID ARRIVE ON THE SCENE AND CITED THE CONSUMER'S GRAND DAUGHTER. THE CONSUMER'S GRANDDAUGHTER AND THE OTHER DRIVER BOTH SUFFERED WHIPLASH. *PH

Mileage: 76,000

LOSS OF STEERING AND AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BEFORE VEHICLE CAME INTO CONTACT WITH ANYTHING. REGARDING JANNIE WELCH.*MR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT A RECALL WAS ISSUED AND WAS REPAIR BY THE DEALER ON OCT. 7, 1998. THE VEHICLE TAPE PLAYER SOUNDED GARBLED AND THE SPEAKERS WERE NOT VERY LOUD. THE HORN WIRE INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE. A LEAKING SEAL WITHIN THE POWER STEERING SHAFT CAUSED A WHINING SOUND. (BRADLEY BANKS ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT). *NLM

CONSUMER NOTICED A POPPING NOISE WHILE TRAVELING 5-10 MPH, VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL DID A 360* TURN WHILE STILL TRAVELING , AND VEHICLE LOST ALL STEERING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED PROBLEM WAS DUE TO STEERING RACK IN PINION FAILURE. *AK

ON APRIL 23, 2003 VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR TWO RECALLS. THE FIRST WAS RECALL 02V070000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH. THE SECOND WAS RECALL 02V286000 CONCERNING POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY. AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE, THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES, DEALER DID DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE THE RECALL REPAIRS. *AK

SAFETY RECALL AND REIMBURSEMENT. *MR CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1,1996 AND OCTOBER 31,1997 THAT COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARING TO ESCAPE. SO THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS BROUGHT BEFORE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *CB

Mileage: 56,485

WHEN MY CAR FIRST STARTED ACTING UP, THE STEERING WOULD KIND OF HANG WHEN TURING TO THE LEFT. I AM NOT A MECHANIC SO I THOUGHT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT. I CHANGED THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH HELPED IT SOME. ABOUT TWO DAYS LATER MY FRIEND AND I WERE GOING TO SCHOOL, WHILE GOING AROUND A CURVE TO THE LEFT, THE STEERING WHEEL HUNG AGAIN. I THOUGHT IT WOULD STRAIGHTEN BACK OUT BUT I WAS WRONG. THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE RIGHT SENDING US OFF THE ROAD RIGHT INTO A TREE AT ABOUT 30 M\P\H. MY FRIEND SUFFERED AN INJURY TO HIS HIP AND HAD TO HAVE SURGERY. MY CAR WAS TOTALED BECAUSE OF SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I NEVER GOT THE RECALL STATEMENT AND HAVE YET TO. GM HAS NOW SAID THEY WILL NOT COMPINSATE ME OR MY FRIEND FOR DAMAGES SUSTAINED.*AK

WHEN MY CAR FIRST STARTED ACTING UP, THE STEERING WOULD KIND OF HANG WHEN TURING TO THE LEFT. I AM NOT A MECHANIC SO I THOUGHT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT. I CHANGED THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH HELPED IT SOME. ABOUT TWO DAYS LATER MY FRIEND AND I WERE GOING TO SCHOOL, WHILE GOING AROUND A CURVE TO THE LEFT, THE STEERING WHEEL HUNG AGAIN. I THOUGHT IT WOULD STRAIGHTEN BACK OUT BUT I WAS WRONG. THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE RIGHT SENDING US OFF THE ROAD RIGHT INTO A TREE AT ABOUT 30 M\P\H. MY FRIEND SUFFERED AN INJURY TO HIS HIP AND HAD TO HAVE SURGERY. MY CAR WAS TOTALED BECAUSE OF SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I NEVER GOT THE RECALL STATEMENT AND HAVE YET TO. GM HAS NOW SAID THEY WILL NOT COMPINSATE ME OR MY FRIEND FOR DAMAGES SUSTAINED.*AK

RACK AND PINION FAILURE. WHILE TURNING ONTO THE INTERSTATE MY 17 YEAR OLDS 1997 CHEVY CAVALIER STEERING LOCKED, MAKIING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE WHEEL TO THE LEFT. FORTUNATELY SHE ONLY GRAZED THE GAURD RAIL BUT THIS COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN A FATAL FAILURE. *AK

Mileage: 87,000

CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING AND MAKING A LEFT TURN STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN LEFT, CAUSING VEHICLE TTO RAVEL TO THE RIGHT AND RUN INTO A TREE. *AK

THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER SEEKED REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL#02V286000. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH WAS INTERMITTENT, AND PLACED AN AXLE ON THE VEHICLE, BUT FOUND THE PROBLEM WAS THE RACK AND PINION. MR SCC *JB

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIR TO THE STEERING LOWER RACK AND PINION ON 3/20/03. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE REPAIRED PART FAILED AGAIN. *NLM

THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO STEER. HAD THE RACK AND PINION STEERING BEARING REPLACED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL NOTICE, BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.

LOWER PINION BEARING IN POWER STEERING GEAR MAY SEPARATE CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS AT LOW SPEED.*AK

NAR 3-11-03 THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM CHEVROLET ABOUT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY. UPON ARRIVAL THE CONSUMER FOUND REPAIRS MADE ON THE VEHICLE THAT WERE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND IS NOW ASKING TO BE REIMBURSED BY CHEVROLET. *CB *JB

Mileage: 84,304

CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, HOWEVER THE WHEELS DID NOT TURN LEFT, BUT VEERED TOWARD THE RIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION. JUST RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM GM CONCERNING STEERING.

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING THE RACK AND PINION HOWEVER NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE.*JB

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT.*JB

NHTSA 02-V-286-000. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE NECESSARY PARTS TO COMPLETE THE RECALL WAS NOT AVAILABLE.*JB

THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. TWO WEEKS LATER CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE WHICH DESCRIBED THE SAME INCIDENT WHICH HAD OCCURRED.*JB PH

WHILE DRIVING SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. PH

Mileage: 98,000

VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER CAUSING INJURIES AND TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE.

Mileage: 52,000

THE STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN WHEN DRIVING AROUND TURNS. RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE. DEALER SAID NOT URGENT. SHORTLY AFTER SHE CRASHED HER VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTIVE STEERING.

DEFECT RECALL CAMPAIGN # 02 V286 000 STEERING: GEAR: RACK AND PINION NOISE AND LOOSENESS IN STEERING. RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FROM MANUFACTURER. SC

DEFECT RECALL CAMPAIGN # 02V286000 STEERING: GEAR: RACK AND PINION. NOISE AND LOOSENESS IN STEERING. HAVE NOT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FROM MANUFACTURER. TS

I HAVE 1997 CHEVROLET, CAVALIER WHICH I TOOK DELIVERY ON JULY 28, 1997. THE CAR IS NOW UNDRIVEABLE. I WENT ON LINE TO THE GENERAL MOTORS RECALL LIST AND LOCATED A RECALL FOR CARS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, AND OCTOBER 31, 1997. THE RECALL INVOLVES THE LOWER PINION BEARING IN THE POWER STEERING GEAR MAY SEPARATE, PERMITTING MOVEMENT OF THE PINION SHAFT. REPORT INDICATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THERE HAVE BEEN 15 REPORT OF CRASHES AND THREE INJURIES THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE CONDITION, BUT NO FATAL INJURIES. I CALLED GENERAL MOTORS, DESCRIBED TO THEM THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR, WHICH I HAD TO HAVE TOWED TO MY HOUSE. I GAVE THEM MY VIN # AND THE REPLY I GOT WAS THAT I AM NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. I HAVE RECALLS FOR MINOR REPAIRS BUT I AM NOT ON THIS RECALL LIST. I AM A BIT DISTURBED WITH THIS REPLY. MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT WITHIN THE TIME FRAME OF WHICH WAS DESCRIBED. DUE TO THIS PROBLEM I WAS NEARLY IN A FATAL ACCIDENT. I WAS TOLD TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE AND THEN IF MY CAR FELL UNDER THE RECALL I COULD FIGHT TO BE REIMBURSED. SO WHAT THEIR TRYING TO TELL ME IS DRIVE THE CAR, WHICH CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT THIS POINT, GET IN AN ACCIDENT THEN THEY DON'T HAVE TO PUT ME THE RECALL LIST BECAUSE THE CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED. THIS IS A VERY POOR WAY OF TAKING CARE OF A PERSON'S LIFE WHEN THEY KNOW THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. MEANWHILE WE HAVE NO MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION FOR WORK. I FIRST HEARD ABOUT THIS RECALL ON THE NEWS ON TV BACK IN NOVEMBER 2002. CAN YOU HELP? PLEASE!!!!!!

Mileage: 80,000

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RACK OPINION HAS GONE BAD CAUSING THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS. TS

WHEN YOU DRIVE IT THE STEERING WHEEL WOBBLES AND YOU CAN FEEL IT IN YOUR FEET LIKE FRONT END IS LOOSE

CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE STEERING COLUMN IS BAD. WHEN CONSUMER WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT ALSO LOCKED UP. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. MR

WHEN TURN STEERING WHEEL TO LEFT THERE IS A CRANCKING NOISE. PERSONAL AUTO MACHANIC HAS SAID PROBLEM IS IN POWER RACK AND PINION BEARINGS. DT

VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE WHILE CONSUMER WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A BROKEN STEERING SYSTEM. *YH

SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON MY 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. THE FURTHER I DROVE THE CAR THE WORSE IT GOT, AFFECTING THE RIGHT SIDE AS WELL AND MAKING A HORRIBLE CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL. I NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO STEER IT. I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THE ENTIRE RACK HAD GONE OUT.*AK

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE AT AN INTERSECTION MAKING A LEFT TURN, THERE WAS LOUD SOUND AND MAKING THE TURN WAS NOT POSSIBLE. IT HAD TAKEN SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPAIR THE STEERING SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE SYSTEM SHOULD'NT HAVE FAILED. *MJ *SCC

I WAS PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL OF THE CAR. THIS CONTINUED AS I MADE 3 MORE TURNS. IT FINALLY WENT BACK TO NORMAL AFTER DRIVING 5 MILES. THE NEXT DAY IT RESUMED BEING VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I HAVE NOW BEEN INFORMED BY MY PERSONAL MECHANIC OF 30 YEARS THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 24,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT AND ALSO QUITE EXPENSIVE. ALMOST $900.00.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 25-30 MPH STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT ALLOW CONSUMER TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. CONTACTED DEALER ,AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER STATES THE NO PROBLEM CAN BE FOUND. OUR POWER STEERING GOES OUT INTERMITTENLY EVERY SINCE WE GOT THIS CAVALIER. THE DEALER HAS SAID THAT THEY COULD NEVER DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND HENCE COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE LOSS OF STEERING HAS BECOME SO BAD THAT I WILL NOT ALLOW MY WIFE TO USE THIS CAR. I WILL NOT LET ANYONE USE THIS CAR UNTIL THE STEERING( A SAFETY ISSUE) IS RESOLVED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT I TURNED THE WHEEL TO GO LEFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND BEGAN PULLING RIGHT ALMOST CAUSING ME TO RUN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. HAD I BEEN GOING ANY FASTER I WOULD HAVE CRASHED AND DIED. ON THE WAY HOME THE WHEEL LOCKED UP AGAIN TURNING LEFT ONTO OUR ROAD AND I ALMOST DROVE OFF THE ROAD. I'VE PARKED THE CAR AND HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT SINCE WITH CONCERN THAT THIS LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM WILL CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. MANY OTHER GM VEHICLES HAVE REPORTS OF THIS STEERING PROBLEM WITH 97 VEHICLES WHICH CAN BE SEEN IN A REPORT BY GUY CRAMER AT HTTP://WWW.YFILES.COM/GM-STEERING-PROBLEM.HTM. *AK

WHEN TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS THERE IS A CLING NOISE IN THE STEERING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. *AK *YD

ON 12/2/98 AT 26,332 MILES I REPORTED A GRINDING AND THUD NOISE WHEN TURNING. I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE STEERING COULD GO OUT AT ANY TIME. I WAS GIVEN A LOANER CAR AND THE RACK WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. ON 6/29/99 AT 34, 556 MILES, I AGAIN REPORTED THE SAME GRINDING AND THUD NOISE UPON TURNING. AGAIN I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND GIVEN A LOANER CAR. AGAIN THE RACK WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRENTY. ON 11/15/00, AT 60,152 MILES I AGAIN REPORTED THE EXACT SAME GRINDING AND THUD NOISE UPON TURNING. THIS TIME HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. ON 2/15/01 AT 64,434 MILES I AGAIN REPORTED THE GRINDING AND THUD UPON TURNING AND ASKED THAT THE CAR BE CHECKED. NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND SO I CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITH THE GRINDING AND THUD NOISE IN THE STEERING SINCE I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG EVEN THOUGH IT WAS THE EXACT SAME NOISE AS THE PRIOR TWO TIMES THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. ON 11/21/01, AT 81,218 MILES, I AGAIN REPORTED THE GRINDING AND THUD NOISE UPON TURNING, AS IT WAS GETTING WORSE AND CONTINUED TO MAKE ME VERY UNEASY AS TO THE CARS SAFETY. THIS TIME I WAS TOLD THAT YES, NOW THE RACK AGAIN NEEDED REPLACED, HOWEVER I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT AS IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN VEHICLE WILL PULL STRONGLY TO RIGHT, ALSO HARD TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC, THAT RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK *SLC

WAS INFORMED BY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT SEAL AROUND CROSSMEMBER WAS MISSING DUE TO MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT/NEGLECT. THIS CAUSED THE RACK AND PINION TO FAIL. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK

MID-WAY THROUGH A LEFT TURN FROM A STOP SIGN, THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. INITIALLY THE CAR STEERED FREELY TO THE RIGHT AND ONLY LOCKED LEFT; THEN BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT LOCKED UP. MECHANIC SAYS THE STEERING GEAR ON THE POWER ASSIST RACK & PINION FAILED CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE. *AK

STEERING GEAR CABLE BROKE WHILE GETTING OUT OF A PARKED SPOT. VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE FROM THE SPOT WHERE IT HAD STOPPED.*AK

WHEN I TURN LEFT THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK ALMOST EVERY SINGLE TIME.I QUESTIONED THE DEALERSHIP AS TO HOW MANY TIMES THEY HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR THE GUY TOLD ME THEY'VE SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE.WHEN I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AT 30MPH THE STERRING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN AND THE WHOLE CAR SKIDDED FORWARD.I HOPE YOU WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO REVIEW THIS PROBLEM AND COMPARE IT WITH OTHER CARS.I HOPE NHTSA MAKES DEALERSHIPS REPORT TO NHTSA WHEN A LIFE THREATING PROBLEM LIKE THIS ONE HAPENS. *AK

WHEN I TURN LEFT THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK ALMOST EVERY SINGLE TIME.I QUESTIONED THE DEALERSHIP AS TO HOW MANY TIMES THEY HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR THE GUY TOLD ME THEY'VE SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE.WHEN I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AT 30MPH THE STERRING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN AND THE WHOLE CAR SKIDDED FORWARD.I HOPE YOU WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO REVIEW THIS PROBLEM AND COMPARE IT WITH OTHER CARS.I HOPE NHTSA MAKES DEALERSHIPS REPORT TO NHTSA WHEN A LIFE THREATING PROBLEM LIKE THIS ONE HAPENS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING PINS CAME OUT OF TILT MECHANISM OF STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO DROP DOWN. CONTACT DEALER, AND DEALER STATED NEVER HEARD OF THIS. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN MAKING A TURN STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP. DEALER IS INSPECTING VEHICLE.*AK

CONSUMER HAD JUST GOTTEN HOME AND PARKED VEHICLE. 5-10 MINUTES LATER, HORN WAS BLOWING. CONSUMER LOOKED OUTSIDE FRONT END OF VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. DASHBOARD AND STEERING COLUMN WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. CHEVROLET DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEREFORE, THEY WOULDN'T BE LIABLE. ALLSTATE INSURANCE ADJUSTER TOOK ONE LOOK,AND COULD TELL IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. CHEVROLET DEALER WAS NOT RESPONDING TO INSURANCE ADJUSTER. VEHICLE WAS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE.*AK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DEALER HAD REPLACED THE OIL PUMP, SOLENOID, AND EXHAUST HOWEVER LIGHT STILL ILLUMINATED. BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WINDSHIELD WIPER SKIPS AND CHATTERS ACROSS WINDSHIELD, DEALER REPLACED BLADE. TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE LEVER, COMPARTMENT LID RELEASE BROKE. CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL, DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. *SLC

DEFECT 1: ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. ABS WOULD NO LONGER ACTIVATE WHILE LIGHT WAS ON. DEFECT 2: ALTERNATOR--WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC, RUSH HOUR. HAD PREVIOUSLY ASKED DEALER TO CHECK, BUT THEY CLAIMED IT WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. DEFECT 3: RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY--WENT OUT SHORTLY AFTER ALTERNATOR, WHILE DRIVING IN THE DEALERSHIP PARKING LOT. DEFECT 4: TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER--TECHNICIAN SAID THIS CAUSED MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE--GEARS, HEAD, ETC. DEFECT 5: HORN--HAS WORKED SPORADICALLY, AT BEST, FOR THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF. SEEMED LIKE A SHORT.

MS. WELCH'S WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE WHEN SHE LOST THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE STEERING, CAUSING THE CAR TO VEER BACK AND FORTH AND CAUSING HER TO LOSE CONTROL. THEN, BEFORE ANY CRASH BOTH AIRBAGS PREMATURELY DEPLOYED. SHE HAS SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES AND IS UNABLE TO WORK. PETER ONG OF THE USDOT WAS CONTACTED CONCERNING THIS CRASH. *AK

ERRATIC POPPING NOISE AND EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK RACK AND PINION HOUSING WAS POPPING AND FREEZING UP, DEALER IS GOING TO REPLACE IT. *YH

WHILE DRIVING ALL SIGNAL LIGHTS CAME ON, AND ENGINE LOST POWER. THERE WAS NO STEERING, AND FINALLY VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ONC EBEFORE. *AK

WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH LOSING THE POWER STEERING FOR OVER TWO YEARS. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT THE CAR STALLED AND THEN REGAINED THE MOTOR AS THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. THIS PROBLEMS HAS HAPPENED TO FOUR MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY AND WE NEVER PUT IT TOGETHER UNTIL RECENTLY WE HAD OUR LOCAL DEALER INSPECT THE SYSTEM AND WAS TOLD " IT COULDN'T HAPPEN " WHEN I FOUND NHTSA ON LINE, I NOW BELIEVE THAT THE DEALER WAS NOT BEING HONEST. *AK

POWER STEERING PUMP AND RELATED HIGH PRESSURE LINE FAILURE, CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *AK

RACK AND PINION AND STEERING WENT MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE WHEELS TO LOCK UP. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

POWER STEERING SEIZED DUE TO FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION, DEALER REPLACED RACK AND PINION, CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND STOPPED JUST SHORT OF HITTING A TREE. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED STEERING WHEEL LOCK UPS. AT LOWER SPEEDS THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY DIFFICULT WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS BEING CORRECTED. *AK

THIS IS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OFFCIAL INVESTIGATION. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MPH AND HIT A LARGE FENCE AND CEMENT STRUCTURE WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER AND SUSTAIN FRONTAL IMPACT DAMAGES. UPON IMPACT, PASSENGER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED, BUT DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN THIS CRASH. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

STEERING GEAR NEEDS REPLACED. VEHECILE HAS BEEN WORKED ON FOUR TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM WITH STEERING ASSEMBLY. PROBLEM NEVER FIXED. DEALER THAT WORKED ON CAR C&O MOTORS LOCATED AT 202 5TH STREET ST ALBANS WV.25177 304-727-2921. GENERAL MOTORS REFUSED TO FIX PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY.

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED AN INTERMITTENT/ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE STEERING LOCKING UP WHILE MAKING A TURN AT A LOW SPEED. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND INFORMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND/DUPLICATED AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK

STEERING ROD FAILED CAUSING NOISE IN FRONT OF VEHICLE.

ENGINE CYLINDER FAILED, CAUSING OIL TO LEAK. ALSO, POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK.

HEARD A NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN AREA AROUND AIR BAG. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO AIR BAG AREA CHECKED. INFORMED AIRBAG NOT UNDER RECALL. HAS BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY & MECHANIC WOULD NOT CHECK IT. *AK

MOTOR BELT SLIPS WHEN DRIVIGN THROUGH A PUDDLE, POWER STEERING AND GENERATOR IS LOST FOR APPROX. 30 SECONDS. DEALER CLAIMS THAT IS NORMAL.

THE ENGINE CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND THE STEERING GOES OUT WITH IT. DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK

THE STEERING COLUMN IS 3/4 OF AN INCH TO THE RIGHT OF THE DRIVER'S LINE OF VISION. AS A RESULT, THE RIM OF STEERING WHEEL INTERSECTS THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE PANEL. WHEN THE DRIVER'S HANDS ARE ON THE WHEEL, THE VIEW OF THE PANEL IS COMPLETELY BLOCKED. *AK

TEETH INSIDE THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ARE STRIPPED OUT . WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED, THE STEERING WHEEL POPS, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT MOVE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP PRIOR TO RECALL.