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 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl 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 updated 1/5/12
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. …
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. 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.
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.
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?
Related recalls
Steering › Rack and pinion
Certain passenger vehicles and Mini vans have lower pinion bearings 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, 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 January 24, 2003.
Steering complaints in other Cavalier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier?
NHTSA has 83 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier, 15% of the model year's 540 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (36 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-286 (rack and pinion, Nov 4, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 14 crashes, 4 fires and 10 injuries and 2 deaths 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.