Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 5% | 22,000 miles |
| 2017 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2016 | 10 | 24% | 117,000 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 3% | 51,000 miles |
| 2014 | 3 | 8% | 65,000 miles |
| 2013 | 4 | 4% | 81,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% | 10,000 miles |
| 2011 | 17 | 6% | 70,000 miles |
| 2004 | 6 | 9% | 96,000 miles |
| 2003 | 10 | 10% | 32,000 miles |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% | 59,000 miles |
| 2001 | 14 | 7% | 67,000 miles |
| 2000 | 30 | 16% | 53,000 miles |
| 1999 | 31 | 13% | 85,000 miles |
| 1998 | 76 | 25% | 80,000 miles |
| 1997 | 37 | 27% | 90,000 miles |
| 1996 | 18 | 9% | 78,000 miles |
| 1995 | 14 | 8% | 110,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Regal. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed during rainy weather, and making a left or right turn, the steering wheel intermittently made a grinding and clicking sound. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V108000 (Steering). The vehicle was then taken to another dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was advised to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized while turning the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V108000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
My vehicle has an electrical problem due to the recall. I took it into the Buick dealer. They could not find an electrical problem. But there is an electrical problem. And has been since I bought it at Jim Riles in Washington Township Michigan.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Buick Regal. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle loss acceleration, steering wheel became difficult to turn. In another when turn off the engine, the vehicle failed to start. A warning light illuminated roll driver side window up, the trunk open and the windshield wiper independently start to function. The vehicle was towed to ed martin Buick GMC, 9896 n michigan rd, carmel, in 46032, and was diagnosed that the timing chain detached. The vehicle was not repair due to the repair fees. Five code also came up, p0131, p0016, p0017, p0014 and p0171. And leaving the dealer, the vehicle failed to start and was towed to an independent mechanic where the timing chain, balance chaff, chain kit, timing cover gasket set, cam cover gasket set and two camshaft sensors, were replaced. …
ISSUE: BRAKE PEDAL WILL STIFFEN AND SLOW THE CAR DOWN. THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WILL VIOLENTLY SHAKE, AS IF THE CALIPERS ARE STUCK. ONCE PARKED, WHEELS ARE HOT AND OMITS A BURNING SMELL. NARRATIVE: After the car is sitting in the sun, while driving in slow traffic the car is running rough, steering wheel starts shaking back and forth, the brakes start making noise when you stop. When accelerated there is grinding noise and dash light comes on. I pulled to the side of the road and turned off the car for five minutes, I start the car and it runs as normal. This was happening for a few weeks. I had the brakes replaced on 05/19/21 (I paid $737.66 for the brake job). I drove the car for a couple of weeks and brakes seized. I had to have the car towed back to shop (costing me $135.63) and the shop quoted brake pedal replacement. …
Vehicle has 69,579 miles. While turning onto side street off of main road, engine shut off causing loss of power steering and brakes. Vehicle was able to be restarted after a minute and driven home. Vehicle was taken to lester glenn Buick dealership for this problem . The dealership was "unable to duplicate the problem" and there were no codes showing a problem. I was told that the issue was that the vehicle was 100 miles overdue for and oil change and was a little low on oil. When I questioned this I was told it is a "safety feature" to protect the engine from damage because of low oil. I asked if it was a "safety feature" than why was my son able to restart the vehicle within a minute. Still have not received an answer. …
Engine stalls after first startup, then after restart all warning lights blink for long period. Vehicle stalls when stopping for a traffic signal or slowing down to turn. Then, when ignition switch was turned to off position, could not remove key, and could not turn engine off. Mechanic replaced ignition electrical switch, replaced ignition tumbler assembly, made new keys. We spent $1,171.01 for these repairs. Wrote a long letter to Buick customer assistance center on July 1, 2014, and explained all the details of this ignition-related problem. Found 21 similar complaints at safercar.gov. GMC never issued a recall notice on these ignition-related problems, and said our vehicle did not have certain defective manufacturer parts installed as original equipment. Who the hell installed these defective ignition-related parts?
1st time vehicle wheels and steering completely locked up when making a right turn blocking traffic and had to be towed after police and no one could release it. After having towed the vehicle to my home. I was able to release the lock and tested it before I decided to drive it to a gas station for gas. As I pulled out of the gas station the vehicle locked up again blocking two lanes of traffic coming at me on a 4 lane county road. I sent a letter to GM reporting the problem and the repair that was done, but I am very concerned that there May be other vehicles on the road that could end up with many deaths. And I am not confident that my problem has been solved.
Related recalls (4)
Steering › Electric power assist system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Buick Regal Vehicles manufactured August 30, 2015, to February 12, 2016. The affected vehicles have a power-steering assist system that may fail.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began on March 21, 2016.
Steering
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro and Chevrolet Impala vehicles. Improperly torqued fasteners may cause the steering intermediate shaft and the steering gear and/or the lower control arm and the lower ball joint to separate.
Remedy: GM began to notify owners on June 27, 2014, and dealers will inspect the fasteners for correct torque, correcting them as necessary, free of charge.
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.
Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
The four (4) steering column support bracket attaching bolts were under torqued during assembly.
Remedy: Dealers will retorque the steering column support bracket attaching bolts to the correct specifications.
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Buick Regal years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (76), 1997 (37), 1999 (31), 2000 (30) and 1996 (18) model years. Steering complaints make up 25% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Buick Regal steering problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 16V-108 (electric power assist system, Feb 24, 2016); 14V-409 (steering, Jul 2, 2014); 03V-527 (rack and pinion, Dec 11, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Buick Regal steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles; 27% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rack and pinion (79 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist system (17).
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.