Steering complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Dt*: the contact stated since purchase the brakes have been replaced two times due to the rotors warping and a noise was heard coming from the rear brakes. The first brake replacement was at 3,000 miles on the vehicle. On May 23, 2006 while making turns at 20 MPH, the steering wheel froze. In an attempt to free the steering, the contact pulled the wheel so hard that something broke within the steering column. The vehicle is currently at the dealership therefore, it is uncertain as to what repairs are necessary to correct the problem. There was a noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The dealer replaced the sway bar insulator. Updated 06/16/06.
Dt: 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier. Sometimes the steering wheel will not allow the consumer to turn it toward the left. This happened at least 4 times. The last time it happened at an intersection, which caused consumer to lose control of the vehicle. Consumer was able to steer vehicle safely to the curb. She was driving around 20-30 MPH. Sometimes the ABS light came on and turned off by itself. The first time the steering problem occurred was on 7-25-05 ,and the last time was on 7-27-05. There were no other problems with the vehicle at this time.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the steering suddenly malfunctioned. The vehicle spun out and crashed into a second vehicle. No injuries were reported and a police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 100,000.
For several years now, the interior light has been coming on intermittently when I hit a bump in the road. Last year I went shopping, got back into my car & started it, or rather tried to start it, but it shut down quite quickly. Thinking it was a fluke, I tried to start it several more times with the same results. Not even pushing on the gas could keep it going. After towing the car & having it sit around for a while before someone could finally find the electrical issue, it was 'repaired'. The issue was the wiring for the ignition switch. The repair completed was a cheaper route than replacing the actual switch. What I didn't know until too late last year was the 'service w/wrench' and 'theft system' lights were the warning that the switch was about to go out. …
Power suddenly shut off, causing power steering to fail, which made me wreck into a ditch. It also caused the airbags to not deploy and prevented seatbelts from locking into place when the brakes were hit.
I had been reading about recent recalls with GM, especially ignition switches. I have a 2003 Chevy Cavalier and it was diagnosed with a bad ignition switch. I first noticed when I went to start the car in the morning, a day after coming home from work. Good thing it happened then because I would have been stranded off site. I went to start the car, nothing happened except wipers and radio did not work as well which I thought was strange. Finally the radio at least came on at some point, but car still would not start. After it was fixed they said the ignition switch was bad and the mechanic asked if I had looked for the recall on it. I searched online but did not find it. I know my car is older, however of all the cars I ever owned and I had many, I never had any issues with ignition switches! I think I had one of the defective switches and would like to look into this matter. …
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30 MPH the vehicle caught on fire without warning. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a report. Upon inspection, the fire marshal determined there was a leak in the power steering pump. The power steering fluid leaked onto the engine causing the fire. The vehicle was determined totaled by the fire marshal.
Driver was heading south on i684, on the exit ramp to 287 west, in heavy traffic. Vehicle suddenly appeared to shut off, making it impossible to steer and brake. Driver ran off the road and went nose first into a ditch, damaging the frame, radiator, airco and nose of vehicle. The vehicle was totaled as a result.
Related recalls (1)
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Cavalier years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (83), 1998 (54), 1996 (49), 1999 (31) and 2000 (28) model years. Steering complaints make up 15% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Cavalier steering problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 02V-286 (rack and pinion, Nov 4, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Cavalier steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles; 33% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rack and pinion (104 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist system (29).
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.