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 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
A week after I bought the car used in October 2002 there was noise from front left end of vehicle....there is another noise that comes from the steering when turning the wheels trying to park the car.....I took the car back to the dealer and they said they don't hear anything...also I had the car checked out the same day for the brakes...there was a squealing noise on the front left side and the car wouldn't brake properly...the dealer replaced the left brake pad..I haven't had any trouble with the brakes since...three weeks later I took the car back to the dealer for the steering noises and they said it would be costly for the labor to find out the problem and that it May not be covered by warranty...they said since it's only minor and is not causing any problems it would probably be better to keep driving it until something went wrong to where they would know where the problem was …
Tl contact owns a 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass. The contact stated that the steering wheel would tighten when making right and left turns. He received a recall letter pertaining to the steering rack and pinion, which stated that the lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly were not crimped properly. This is where the retainer tabs were located. The failure could allow the ball bearings to escape. The dealer repaired the vehicle according to NHTSA campaign id number 03V527000 (steering:rack and pinion); however, the contact felt no change in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer a second time for repairs, but the failures still persisted. In addition, the contact heard a loud continuous banging noise coming from the steering column. The failure mileage was 66,051 and current mileage was less than 125,096.
Steering making noise after both power steering pump and steering rack began leaking fluid. Dealership has replaced power steering pump (4 times) and power steering rack (4 times), but grinding noise persists. Dealership has been very accommodating and has assigned three different technicians in an attempt to solve this problem. After reading other complaints on this site, I now understand why dealership has been unable to fix this problem after repeated attempts. I am now concerned about my safety while driving the vehicle. I am also concerned if the problem can ever be fixed.
Recall on 1998 olds Cutlass- I was not notified of such recall on steering: rack and pinion. I am paying out of pocket for this repair and am getting a run around from Oldsmobile. My car is being serviced at a non-GM facility. Oldsmobile is very inconsistant and unreliable, especially when it comes to safety and customer service. I will never buy a GM vehicle, and recommend that my friends/family not buy one either. GM is not customer oriented and this is very dissappointing.
Steering feels strange wheel has a tug to it when making turns.. Left turns require more steering effort than right turns also steering wheel squeaks when turning in either direction. This has been going on even when the car was still under warranty.. Car has just 25,000 miles on it, afraid there is something wrong with the rack and pinion.
Total failure of steering system. Mechanical lock up. Steering wheel could not be turned by hand. Problem occurred at low speed close to home. The steering rack bracket separated from the frame. GM complaint # 1-399 751 487 March 18,2006.
We reported the problem as a loud pop when turning and striking a bump in the road. After three trips to the dealer and being told there was nothing wrong, they finally examined the rack and pinion and found a broken weld on the rack assembly. There is still some unusual noises in the front end but the dealor tells us everything is normal. At 8,000 miles the left front rotor was examined, and found to have deep scores in it while the right one was smooth. After three days in the shop, and there telling me this was normal wear they finally turned the rotors (not replacing them) this eleminated some noise and surging when stopping, but something is still not right. There is a ticking noise like when there is a rock in one of your tires, as well as unexplained poping when crossing rr tracks etc.
I currently have the following problems with my 1998 olds Cutlass gl. My power steering is stiff and makes a "wailing" noise. My coolent system has a leak. My heat and air have completey stopped working. I have had problems (in the past that have been repaired_ with my power window locking up (drivers side). The sound system shorted out. The cd player quit working. I have replaced my wiper blades several times and they still do not clear the windshield completely. One time when my teens were using my car, they were on the interstate and the car went completely dead...not only were they terrified, it was a very dangerous situation for them to be in.
Suspension making a squeaking loud sueaking noise from left fron end. (lower control arms replaced. ** vehicle front end suspension continues to have problems). Steering problem generated noises from left front end which I mistook for suspension failure. (tape kit added to front stabilizer bar). Brakes noises during the act of braking. (calibers grabbing pad making a clacking sound-stop squeal added to back of pads ** brakes continue to make noises). Left and right hub cap assemply both failed-currently part on order for righ hub cap assembly). ** vehicle front suspension rough and unrealiable causing continues problems with vehicle.
Cruise control set at 65 MPH suddenly accelerated to 80 MPH on flat ground. When making a left turn the steering wheel locks steering stays stiff and hard to turn most time at low speeds. Noise and whistle comes from steering. Low pitch rattle, clink, squeak noise coming from front of vehicle during low speed. Slow and hard starting,intermittent misfire. Trim over rt. And left rear doors is buckling. Discovered black elec. Tape holding body frame at doors together (paint chip of tape) after using the heater when I turn the engine off there is a bubbling noise which comes from under the front of the car.
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 complaints in other Cutlass years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 14% of the model year's 155 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 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 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
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.