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
While driving 40 MPH the power steering went out. Driver was able to pull to the side of the road safely. Driver experienced this same problem about a month ago with 4800 miles on the vehicle. The dealer is aware of the problem. The vehicle is being repaired by the dealer. Please provide any further details.
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass supreme. While driving approximately 5 MPH and turning the steering wheel, the contact heard a popping sound. The contact stated the sound was heard anytime a turn was made. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated there was a recall NHTSA campaign id number: 03V527000 (steering: rack and pinion) but the vehicle was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.
The ABS check light remained on, which the owner's manual indicated that the brakes May not operate properly. Consumer contacted manufacturer. The brake lights failed and a wire within the steering column broke.
Related recalls (1)
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Oldsmobile Cutlass years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (21), 1997 (20) and 1996 (8) model years. Steering complaints make up 14% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Oldsmobile Cutlass steering problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 03V-527 (rack and pinion, Dec 11, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Oldsmobile Cutlass steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles; 23% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rack and pinion (22 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist system (7).
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.