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
The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Lumina. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering became inoperable and the steering wheel would unexpectedly pull to the side with the service engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the seat belts failed to detach properly. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V527000 (Steering). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering rack assembly had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired because the dealer informed the contact that they would not service the vehicle due to the vehicle being more than 10 years old. The contact was also advised that payment for the steering rack replacement would be required in order to complete the recall repair. The contact was referred to the manufacturer for further assistance. …
While driving, my car will just suddenly cut off and this occurs whether stopped at the light or while pressing the accelerator. The volt light comes on and the car just cuts off and the steering wheel locks up. My local Chevrolet dealer (youman's Chevrolet, macon, ga) tried to find out what was the problem by running diagnostics, but could never determine the cause. Since the problem continued to occur, and wondering if the problem could be due to the age of the car, I parked the car and purchased another car in May, 2013. The car is still parked in my yard. I decided to report this because this seems to be the same thing that is happening to the other GM cars but my model is not part of the recall. I know that there are many 1999 luminas still being driven and you need to know that this has happened.
I was driving my husband's 1999 Lumina. I stopped at an intersection to wait to make a left turn. The light changed I proceeded into the intersection, I turned the steering wheel, however the car proceeded straight. The tires would not turn, however the steering wheel turned freely but the tires would not turn. I had to have the car towed to a mechanic. After he examined the car it was determined that the welds that hold the support structure to the frame had failed. I had to have the original welds redone costing me $ 400.00 then another $ 300.00 to have the engine re-aligned. If this had occurred on a highway that we often travel we would have died as that road has sharp curves and no shoulders only deep canyons to fall into.
I own a 1998 Chevrolet Lumina, which I purchased new in 1998. I had noticed a sporadic steering wheel kick-back at low speeds when turning left in this vehicle. I told a friend about my situation (he too owns same year,make,model) and he explained he received a recall letter from Chevrolet and had this problem corrected on his vehicle. I called my local chevolet dealer and the service advised scheduled me an appointment to repair, but then called me back and cancelled appointment and explained to me that my VIN number was not included in the recall. I called Chevrolet assistance and they advised me to pay for repairs out of my pocket because my car was out of warranty. I feel this is unacceptable and discriminatory. Obviously Chevrolet is trying to reduce their costs by denying my claim for this campaign. I have seen quite a few other Chevrolet owners with the same complaint. …
I purchased my vehicle used and it still had 1000 mile warranty from the dealer. When I got the car there was a problem with the fuel pump so they replaced it. Before I even got out of the parking lot the (vibration shudder hose) went bad. Or at least that is what the guy at the service area told me the name was. They have replaced that. And for almost two years now I have been fighting with them that the power steering has been whining. Also the brakes do not stop to well in the rain. I travel a lot and we go through brakes like water. We also had the ac compressor go out last year during the summer. The car was only 4 years old. We keep our car up very well. I do not understand all these problems. I know this May not seem like big problems but when I keep my car up and have been fighting with the dealer due to whining this is frustrating.
I was traveling home. Lost control and could not turn. The steering went out, and fuel system. I was left in a coma for ten days. My airbag did not deploy like it was developed to do. I received a traumatic brain injury because of the lack of it deploying broke 11 bones. 7 ribs and four vertebraes. Spent a month in lester e cox hospital (south), 4 months in the university or missouri brain injury unit was awarded a state guardian, [redacted] , and spent 3 months in maries manor located in vienna missouri. The state guardian cleaned me out of all assets even though I had two insurances. One cigna and one medicaid. So none of my money went to medical care but to pay his 3 attorney fees. My traumatic brain injury I deal with every day. It does not go away. For life. Your firm covered up nearly 15 years of another recall that does not deploy the airbag in many vehicles. No more! …
While making left hand turn into a parking lot, the steering wheel locked up. The driver hit a parked car and both air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for analysis and the mechanic noticed that rack and pinion needed to be replaced. Recall#03V527000 followup letter sent by consumer. Consumer states that GM purposely desrtoyed the defective parts before they could be examined by an independient party. The vehicle crashed due to a low speed left hand turn steering failure which was documented before the recall occurred. Lower pinion bearing separation was mentioned on a local media channel as the reason for the recal 1997 Chevy luminas
Consumer was traveling about 65mph on the highway and fell asleep at the wheelwhile he was turning around the curb. Vehicle flipped over twice. Consumer crawled out of vehicle, and noticed that flames were coming from underneath the hood. Then car bursted into flames, vehicle was totaled. Consumer wasn't hurt.
Related recalls (2)
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 Chevrolet Lumina years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (88), 1998 (56), 1996 (19), 1995 (18) and 1999 (7) model years. Steering complaints make up 25% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Lumina steering problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 03V-527 (rack and pinion, Dec 11, 2003); 95V-030 (steering wheel/handle bar, Feb 27, 1995). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Lumina steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles; 11% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rack and pinion (65 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist system (22).
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.