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 Oldsmobile Cutlass owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving at 20 MPH, the front wheels buckled and the vehicle fell to the ground. The steering locked up. The vehicle was taken to the dealer in March 2004 for a rack and pinion replacement. The consumer was wondering why this incident happened. The consumer was approaching a rail road track, then all of a sudden the steering wheel would not turn and the vehicle had taken off to the right. The consumer was not able to control the vehicle. The vehicle was not fixed or the dealer placed the wrong part on the vehicle. The lower pinion bearing was replaced.
While driving the vehicles the steering wheel makes noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on September 9, 2002 and replace steering column seals, on September 18, 2002 problem recurred. Happened again on January 8, 2003. The steering experienced many other failures and the dealer replaced the rack and pinion.
The dealership refused to honor the steering gear bearings recall 03V527000. After the dealership inspected the steering rack, they indicated that it was an after market productand it didn't look like the correct part for the vehicle. Also, the dealership stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive.
After dealership performed steering gear bearings recall 03V527000 repairs front end was out of alignment. The steering wheel was off center, and the right tire faced outwards. Dealership wanted to charge $80.00 to align the vehicle although the alignment was fine before the recall was done.
While driving steering jerked uncontrollably. Consumer was not able to maintain control of the vehicle, and it collided with another vehicle. No injuries reported. However, consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer. For inspection, but mechanic could not duplicate the problem.
Vechile recently started making groaning noise when steering and from power steering pump. Power steering pump was replace back in 2011. Took to Goodyear and tech indicated pump was fine, problem point to the rack and pinion.
We bought the car in 2010 from a used car dealer. Upon 6 months of driving we noticed a steering problem that was hard to the left and just didn't seem right. The engine also had overheating and gasket problems so we had the engine replaced. Upon test driving the vehicle the mechanic was driving and the power steer had a complete failure and ran him towards oncoming traffic and then back another direction. Upon return to the shop he concluded the entire rack was broken and needed replaced. At the time in 2011 we were not aware that GM recalled the lower pinion bearing in the power steering rack in 2003 so we had paid for a new rack and pinion to be replaced. There evidently was leftover debris in the rack in pinion from the original part failure and now has ruined the 2nd rack and pinion. …
I bought a 1997 Cutlass supreme from gabriel jordan of henderson texas. There is a recall on a piece of equipment. In their words: "corrective summary: 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. Owners should contact Buick at [phone]; Chevrolet at [phone]; Oldsmobile at [phone]; or Pontiac at [phone]." they have absolutely refused to replace this equipment even though it is faulty. They claim their parts are not on the vehicle. They have given me a quote of $1,300 to replace it.
Description of problems- drivers side rear window replaced at delivery due to large scratch. Tail light cover replaced due to moisture build up. Drivers and passengers window motors replaced due to malfunction. Ball joints replaced at 2000 miles, cv joints replaced at 1000 miles, control arms replaced once at 5800 miles and again at 10000 miles. Steering rack replaced at 12400 miles, by this time the complete front end had been replaced from the factory original. And at 19000 miles it is making noise again.
The upper and lower control arms were replaced twice; once at 2055 miles and once at 6000 miles. This was due to a noise the driver heard when driving. Also, while driving the vehicle the power steering went out. This happened on December 13, 1997.
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…
Steering rack and pinion
Odi has received 200 complaints fromt consumers and 1,238 from GM alleging failure or lockup of the steering rack and pinion unit (r&p).this alleged condition can result in the loss of steering control of the vehicle and a crash can result.GM has reported six crashes in which eight people have sustained injuries ranging from bruises, airbag burn, seat belt abrasion, facial injury, neck and back pain.all crashes were…
Power rack and pinion steering failure
The lower pinion bearing in the rack and pinion steering assembly May fail.GM will recall 1997-98 grand prix built between 1-mar-96 and 31-oct-97; and 1996-98 u-vans/j-cars built between 1-jan-96 and 31-oct-97.see attached summary.
Steering complaints in other Cutlass years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 21% of the model year's 96 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-527 (rack and pinion, Dec 11, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.