1998 Buick Regal Steering Problems

CAR HAS BECOME VERY HARD TO TURN, UNLESS MOVING.

NHTSA ID

11006534

Incident

Jan 12, 2017

Mileage

87,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V527000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,013.

NHTSA ID

10712391

Incident

Apr 14, 2015

Mileage

200,013 mi

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE RECURRED EIGHTEEN TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,000. UPDATED 09/02/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE BRAKES WOULD STALL, THE STEERING AND BRAKES WOULD FAIL AS WELL. UPDATED 09/16/2014 *JS

NHTSA ID

10607974

Incident

Apr 1, 2014

Mileage

177,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN BUT HAD DIFFICULTY MANEUVERING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID

10472589

Incident

Aug 23, 2012

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOWER BEARING ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V527000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION). THE VIN WAS INELIGIBLE UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,330.

NHTSA ID

10468998

Incident

Jul 27, 2012

Mileage

108,330 mi

1998 BUICK REGAL GS. RACK AND PINION PROBLEMS AT 96K MILES. NOTHING NOTICABLE LEADING UP TO PROBLEM. ONE DAY IT HAS HARD TO STEER TO THE LEFT. NOW IT IS EFFECTING TURNING TO THE RIGHT. *TR OTHER '98 REGALS WERE UNDER RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT FOR SOME REASON MY REGAL ISN'T. SPOKE TO BUICK AT 8666088080 AND WAS TOLD BY A MANAGER THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE IT WASN'T PART OF RECALL. KEPT REFERING TO CAR AGE EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAS UNDER 100K MILES. TAKING TO BUICK DEALER THIS WEEKEND TO SEE IF FIXING IS WORTH IT. DEALER SAYS FULL RACK AND PINION OVERHAUL WILL RUN $1500 TO $2000. CAR IS ONLY WORTH $2500. SAD TO SEE A CAR DIE BEFORE IT HITS 100K MILES BUT I GUESS THERE IS A REASON GM WAS IN SUCH BAD SHAPE.

NHTSA ID

10393680

Incident

Jan 15, 2011

Mileage

96,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CONDITION, WOULD NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY, AND THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, AFTER THE REPAIR THE FAILURE RESURFACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10294794

Incident

Aug 7, 2009

STEERING WILL NOT TURN TO LEFT STEERING TURNS BACK TO RIGHT VIOLENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10294758

Incident

Dec 4, 2009

Mileage

83,265 mi

WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT I LOOSE POWER STEERING CONTROL AND WHEN I TURN TO THE RIGHT IT WORKS MOST OF THE TIME BUT NOT ALL THE TIME LEAVING IT VERY HARD TO TURN. MECHANIC CHECKED THE POWER STEERING AND SAID THAT IT WAS ALRIGHT AND THAT THEIR WAS A RECALL ON THE LOWER PINION GEAR AND TO CHECK IT OUT. O A COUPLE OF OCCASION MY STEERING WAS OUT OF WHACK WHILE DRIVING AND I ALMOST WENT IN THE DITCH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10263196

Incident

Mar 7, 2009

Mileage

122,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN PROCEEDING TO MAKE A TURN. THE CONTACT EXERTED MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V527000 (STEERING;RACK AND PINION). THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED FAILURES IDENTICAL TO THE ONES MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,000. THE ABS MOTOR FAILED WHICH PREVENTED THE REAR BRAKES FROM WORKING AND ALSO THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHEN USING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL. UPDATED 03/04/09. *JB

NHTSA ID

10254767

Incident

Dec 1, 2008

Mileage

62,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V527000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION). SHE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPONTANEOUSLY DRIFT TO THE LEFT. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE DEALER STATED THAT SHE NEEDED TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 01/14/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/15/09. *JB

NHTSA ID

10248831

Incident

Nov 14, 2004

MY CAR IS CURRENTLY EXHIBITING THE EXACT SAME FAILURES THAT ARE ALREADY LISTED ON NHTSA FOR MY MAKE, MODEL & YEAR. HOWEVER, THEY SAY MY VIN# IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL.....EVEN THOUGH I AM EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM LISTED! IT IS ACTION #EA03019 CAMPAIGN# 03V527000. PLEASE I NEED HELP BEFORE I HAVE A CRASH.....*TR

NHTSA ID

10238930

Incident

Jan 1, 2005

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. WHILE DRIVING 1-5 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONSTANTLY STALL. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER IT STALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,900 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,988. UPDATED 02/15/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SUCH AS STEERING GEAR FAILURE, WHICH THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED. AIR CONDITION FAILURE, TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER, WHICH THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED. THE IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED OUT. THE RIGHT FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED

NHTSA ID

10215176

Incident

Jan 9, 2008

Mileage

91,000 mi

I WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO ASSIST WHEN TURNING RIGHT, TURNING LEFT WAS O K. I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR HOME, IT WAS A SHORT DISTANCE. THIS OCCURRED ON OR ABOUT 8/2/07. ON 8/13/07 I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR WITH A MIRROR AND WAS ABLE TO FIND A OPEN CAVITY ON THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING UNIT. THERE WAS A SHAFT AND NUT IN THE CAVITY BUT COULD NOT DISCERN A BEARING. I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET FOR RELEVANT INFORMATION AND FOUND THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. I WENT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND FOUND OUT THAT THE DEALER HAD ACCOMPLISHED THE RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. I CAME HOME AND FOUND THE INVOICE FOR THE RECALL, IT INDICATES A DATE OF JULY 27, 2004, A MILEAGE OF 58,373 AND THAT THE POWER STEERING GEAR LOWER BEARING WAS REPLACED. THE CAR NOW HAS 96,644 MILES ON IT. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER ON 8/17/07 TO ASCERTAIN WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. JUST THOUGHT YOU MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW. *JB

NHTSA ID

10199638

Incident

Aug 13, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK REGAL. IN 2004, THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 03V527000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION). THE VEHICLE HAD 48,721 MILES AT THE TIME. SHE WENT TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED AGAIN AND SHE BELIEVES THAT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED SO QUICKLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

NHTSA ID

10197436

Incident

Jun 1, 2007

Mileage

71,000 mi

THE STEERING RACK AND PINION OF THE BUICK REGAL HAS BEEN NOTED TO FAIL IN VARIOUS MODELS, YEARS 1996-1998; HOWEVER MANY VEHICLES (IDENTIFIED BY VIN) ARE NOT SUBJECT TO RECALL STATUS. I BELIEVE THAT FURTHER INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE CONDUCTED, SIMPLY BECAUSE SOME OF THE VEHICLES NOT LISTED ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE STEERING SUDDENLY FAILS TO THE LEFT, CAUSING HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS FOR THE DRIVER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10189631

Incident

Mar 10, 2007

Mileage

90,000 mi

1998 REGAL POWER STEERING RACK WONT TURN LEFT. THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE OF GM (BUICK) TO NOT STEP UP AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. I WAS GIVEN THIS CAR THIS YEAR WITH ONLY 26000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN 2 MONTHS THE STEERING GAVE OUT ON THE HIGHWAY 600 MILES FROM HOME. BUICK HAD THE SAME OLD STORY, YOUR VIN DOESN'T FALL WITHIN THE RECALLS BLOCK OF VIN'S. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH VIN'S OR PRODUCTION DATES. THE CASTING ON THE HOUSING OF THE STEERING GEAR IS WHERE THE TRUE MANUFACTURING DEFECT CAN BE IDENTIFIED. THE STATE DEPT OF REHAB WAS GOING TO PUT HAND CONTROLS IN THIS CAR FOR ME, BUT NOW I HAVE A 1200$ REPAIR BILL I CAN'T AFFORD. THIS ISN'T RIGHT. *JB

NHTSA ID

10178089

Incident

Dec 18, 2006

Mileage

26,000 mi

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HIS 1998 BUICK REGAL HARD TIME TURNING LEFT, USUALLY WHEN DRIVING AT 40 MPH OR LOWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP ,AND WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR RECALL 03V527000 DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD HE NEEDED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER, WHEN HE DID THAT THE MANUFACTURER TOLD HIM TO CONTACT HIS LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WENT BACK TO SAME DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING AND DIDN'T CHARGE HIM THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS OWN MECHANIC AND THEY INSTALLED TWO NEW POWER STEERING PUMPS. THE REPAIR STILL DIDN'T RESOLVE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DIDN'T THINK THAT THE DEALERSHIP RAN A DIAGNOSTIC ON VEHICLE BEFORE TELLING HIM THAT THE POWER STEERING VALVES NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS MECHANIC TOLDHIM THAT THE VEHICLE DIDN'T NEED TO HAVE THE PUMPS REPLACED, BUTTHE CONTACT THOUGHT IT WAS BEST TO HAVE PUMPS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BACK, AND TOLD THEM THAT HE DID HAVE THE PUMPS REPLACED, AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT MAYBE IT MAY BE HIS STEERING RACK AND PINION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BACK AND TOLD THEM OF ALL THE REPAIRS, AND ASKED THEM IF THEY WOULD REPAIR RACK AND PINION. HE WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOT DO REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY EXCHANGED HE PARTS OUT FOR THIS VEHICLE MANUFACTURED. AK

NHTSA ID

10177253

Incident

Nov 9, 2006

Mileage

89,379 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS ON A STREET, THERE WAS A LOSS OF ALL POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE SERPENTINE BELT FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A TEST DRIVE, AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SHARP LEFT HAND TURN AT LOW SPEEDS, THE STEERING RACK AND PINION FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE STEERING RACK AND PINION AS WELL AS THE BUSHINGS WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA ID

10175846

Incident

Nov 30, 2006

Mileage

70,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING LEFT TURNS, THE STEERING BECAME HARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V527000, REGARDING THE RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA ID

10166852

Incident

Aug 29, 2006

Mileage

78,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN LEFT. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #03V527000, CONCERNING THE RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA ID

10166214

Incident

Aug 22, 2006

Mileage

80,000 mi

VEHICLE HAS DIFFICULTY TURNING TO THE LEFT - AS IF THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED. WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE GAS AFTER MAKING A LEFT TURN THE CAR WILL JERK BACK TO THE RIGHT - THIS COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THERE IS A RECALL MATCHING THIS INFORMATION, HOWEVER THE INCONSIDERATE PERSON (WILLIAM BLOECHEL) SAID THAT THIS CAR IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL AND WOULD NOT LET ME SPEAK TO ANYONE ELSE AT THE COMPANY. *JB

NHTSA ID

10155111

Incident

Apr 11, 2006

STEERING REQUIRING MORE EFFORT THAN NORMAL AND JERKY WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP AND FLUSHED SYSTEM, ALL NEW FLUID. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. TOOK IT TO A DEALER BECAUSE THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. BUICK RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V527000 DATE: 2003-DEC-11 COMPONENT: STEERING: RACK AND PINION THE DEALER SAID MY VIN WASN'T COVERED IN THE RECALL BUT THEY WOULD BE GLAD TO CHECK IT & FIX THE PROBLEM IF I PAID FOR IT. WHAT GIVES? WHAT GOOD IS A RECALL IF THE DEALERS DON'T HONOR IT? I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON CARSTATS.COM OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DEALERS SAYING THEIR VIN ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *NM

NHTSA ID

10154575

Incident

Feb 11, 2006

Mileage

73,000 mi

RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED BUT NOT INCLUDING MY VIN. *JB

NHTSA ID

10153861

Incident

Jan 16, 2006

Mileage

59,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOOSES ALL POWER STEERING WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V527000 REGARDING THE STEERING: RACK AND PINION. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA ID

10149073

Incident

Dec 1, 2005

Mileage

111,000 mi