Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Buick Regal owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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. …
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. …
Tl 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.
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. 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.
Tl 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. 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
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.
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.
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.
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 [redacted]. 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
Related recalls
Steering › Rack and pinion
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Power rack and pinion steering failure
GM conducted a safety recall (NHTSA # 02V286) to address a steering defect pertaining to a lower pinion bearing (lpb) within the rack and pinion steering gear (r&p). The recall covered 1,159,156 model year 1997-1998 Pontiac grand prix vehicles built between March 1, 1996 and October 31, 1997, 1996-1998 Pontiac trans sport, Chevrolet lumina apv, Chevrolet venture, Oldsmobile silhouette minivans, and Chevrolet…
Power rack and pinion steering failure
GM's letter to NHTSA dated December 11, 2003, expands its original recall (NHTSA 02V286) to include certain w-body vehicles: 96-97 olds cutlass supreme; 98 olds intrigue; 97-98 olds cutlass; 97-98 Chevy lumina, monte carlo and malibu; 96 Pontiac grand prix; and 96-98 Buick regal.the number of vehicles recalled is 750,283.GM determined that failure of the rack and pinion is related to damage of the lower pinion…
Steering complaints in other Regal years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1998 Buick Regal?
NHTSA has 76 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Buick Regal, 25% of the model year's 302 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (36 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Buick Regal steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-527 (rack and pinion, Dec 11, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Buick Regal steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.