1998 Chevrolet Malibu Steering Problems

WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY TO THE RIGHT I HEARD LOUD CLUNKING AND THEN FINALLY A POP AS I TURNED THE STEERING TO THE LEFT. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, WHILE DRIVING IN RESIDENTIAL AREA LEFT TURNS BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MAKE, AND I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMED TO BE OFF CENTER. I DECIDED TO MAKE A 3-POINT TURN TO RETURN HOME, AND WHILE BACKING TO THE LEFT THERE SEEMED TO BE LITTLE ACTUAL MOVEMENT BEFORE I FELT AS IF THE FRONT END OF THE CAR RAISED A BIT FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER LOUT POP. RETURNING THE WHEELS RIGHT SAW LITTLE MOVEMENT AT FIRST BEFORE TURNING AS NORMAL. LEFT TURNS THE REST OF THE WAY HOME DIFFICULT, WHILE RIGHT TURNS ARE MADE WITH EASE. UPON INSPECTION WHEN GETTING TO MY GARAGE RACK AND PINION MOUNT ON PASSENGER SIDE THAT APPEARS TO BE WELDED HAD BROKEN. PERHAPS RUSTED? I LIVE IN CA, SO I DIDN'T EXPECT RUSTED PARTS TO BE AN ISSUE.I HAVE RESEARCHED OTHER MALIBUS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED INCREDIBLY SIMILAR BEHAVIOR, AND THERE IS EVEN A RECALL REGARDING THE RACK AND PINION IN MY MY MALIBU, HOWEVER MINE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. I FIND THIS TO BE ABSOLUTELY APPALLING THAT GM CAN RECEIVE SO MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THIS ISSUE, AND REQUEST FOR A FIX, AND SO BOLDLY TELL THESE CUSTOMERS THAT THEY WILL NOT SERVICE THEIR VEHICLES WHEN THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.

NHTSA ID

10818472

Incident

Jan 4, 2016

Mileage

200,116 mi

I PURCHASED NEW TIRES TODAY AND THE TECHNICIANS NOTICED THERE WAS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING LINK VIA THE RACK AND PINION. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WELDS (WHICH ARE BOTH FACTORY AND MOST LIKELY ROBOTIC) HOLDING THE NUT THROUGH THE RACK AND PINION HAVE FAILED. THESE WELDS ARE NOT A CONSUMABLE OR AN OTHERWISE REPLACEABLE PART OF THE CAR AND UNACCEPTABLE FOR THEM TO FAIL. CURRENTLY IF THE NUT THAT WAS ORIGINALLY WELDED IN PLACE COMES OFF I WILL COMPLETELY LOSE STEERING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. AT EVEN SLOW SPEEDS THIS COULD BE FATAL TO THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS. THE CAR HAS BEEN OWNED BY ONE FAMILY FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE AND IMMACULATELY MAINTAINED. FOR CHEVROLET TO DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE SUCH A CRITICAL PIECE IN THIS FASHION IS APPALLING. I AM TRYING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH CHEVROLET RECALLS DEPARTMENT AND SAFETY BUT NO ONE WILL RETURN MY CALLS. THE ONE PERSON THAT ANSWERED AT A DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WOULD ABSOLUTELY FIX IT IF AS A FAILED WELD SIGNALS A FABRICATION DEFECT. I GAVE THEM MY NUMBER SO THEY COULD CALL TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT BUT NO ONE HAS CALLED!

NHTSA ID

10780255

Incident

Oct 5, 2015

Mileage

32,000 mi

MY GRANDDAUGHTER WAS 18 YEARS OLD AND HAD RECENTLY GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL. SHE WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A TUESDAY MORNING, THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND THE ROAD WAS DRY. AS SHE ROUNDED A SMALL CURVE, HER STEERING WENT OUT. THE CAR'S RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WENT OFF THE ROAD, SENDING THE CAR OUT OF CONTROL. WHEN MY GRANDDAUGHTER TRIED TO STEER BACK ONTO THE ROAD, THE CAR SLID ON THE PAVEMENT, SPUN AROUND, WAS THROWN OVER A DITCH, HIT A TREE AND LANDED BACK ON THE ROAD. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER'S SMALL BODY (98 POUNDS) WAS THROWN ACROSS THE SEAT AND INTO THE FLOORBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN POLICE AND AMBULANCES ARRIVED, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. MY GRANDDAUGHTER DIED AT THE SCENE FROM HEAD TRAUMA AND INTERNAL INJURIES. HER IDENTICAL TWIN SISTER LOST HALF OF HER IDENTITY THAT DAY; THE TWO OF THEM WERE AS ONE. EMERGENCY TEAMS HAD TO USE THE JAWS OF LIFE TO RETRIEVE HER BODY FROM THE CAR. THIS ACCIDENT HAPPENED WITHIN ONE MILE FROM MY HOME. I COULD HEAR THE SIRENS IN THE DISTANCE BUT HAD NO IDEA THAT THEY WERE SOUNDING FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER. THE MEMORY OF THOSE SIRENS STILL HAUNTS ME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10643381

Incident

Sep 1, 2009

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SUDDENLY MALFUNCTION AND BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ID

10641930

Incident

Oct 4, 2014

Mileage

180,000 mi

THIS VEHICLE HAD A CRASH WITH FATALITIES IN 2006. GENERAL MOTORS NEVER ISSUED A UNINTENDED IGNITION TURNOFF ON THIS VEHICLE UNTIL AUG2014. THE CRASH BEGAN WITH AN UNCONTROLLABLE AND UNEXPECTED SPINOUT, THERE WAS NO ABILITY TO STEER, BRAKE AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THESE ARE THE EXACT CONDITIONS LISTED IN THE GM RECALL. GM WILL NOT ACCEPT A FILING FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE GM IGNITION FAILURE CLAIM PROGRAM. NHTSA DIDN'T ALL THE GM RECALL TO MALIBU'S BUT I HAVE NOTIFIED THEM OF THE OVERSIGHT. THIS SHOULD BE CORRECTED AND COMPENSATION PROVIDED BY GM. THIS IS THE EXACT WORDING ON THE GM RECALL WEBSITE: THE FOLLOWING RECALLS HAVE BEEN FOUND FOR YOUR 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU RESULTS LAST UPDATED: SEP 16, 2014 GM RECALL #: N140350 NHTSA RECALL #: 14V400 DATE ISSUED: AUG 12, 2014 UNINTENDED IGNITION KEY ROTATION RECALL DESCRIPTION: GENERAL MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT A DEFECT WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXISTS IN 2000-2005 MY CHEVROLET IMPALA AND MONTE CARLO, 1997-2005 MY CHEVROLET MALIBU, 1999-2004 MY OLDSMOBILE ALERO, 1998-2002 MY OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, 1999-2005 MY PONTIAC GRAND AM, AND 2004-2008 MY PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES. IF THE KEY RING IS CARRYING ADDED WEIGHT AND THE VEHICLE GOES OFF ROAD OR EXPERIENCES SOME OTHER JARRING EVENT, IT MAY UNINTENTIONALLY MOVE THE KEY AWAY FROM THE RUN POSITION. IF THIS OCCURS, ENGINE POWER, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKING MAY BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. SAFETY RISK DESCRIPTION: THE TIMING OF THE KEY MOVEMENT OUT OF THE RUN POSITION, RELATIVE TO THE ACTIVATION OF THE SENSING ALGORITHM OF THE CRASH EVENT, MAY RESULT IN THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR OCCUPANT INJURY IN CERTAIN KINDS OF CRASHES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10639070

Incident

Nov 12, 2006

Mileage

80,000 mi

I RECEIVED MY CHEV RECALL LETTER REF RECALL 14350 TODAY. THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT, JUST INFO THAT MAY BE IMPORTANT IN REFERENCE TO THIS SAFETY RECALL. PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH MY 1998 CHEV MALIBU IS : ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS-SOMETIMES ENGINE WON'T START ( IGNITION KEY WILL NOT GO ALL WAY TO START POSITION)-SOMETIMES ENGINE WANT SHUTOFF (IGNITION KEY WANT TURN BACK TO OFF POSITION). AS A RETIRED TRUCK MECHANIC I KNOW THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCK CYLINDER (TUMBLERS ARE WORN EXCESSIVELY CAUSING THE LOCK CYLINDER TO JAM AND/OR BE COME LOOSE ALLOWING IGNITION KEY TO ROTATE OFF) . I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE REPAIR MYSELF BUT ALL PARTS OUTLETS TELL ME THAT THE LOCK CYLINDER IS NOT AVAILABLE (MUST PURCHASE $350.00 IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY) IF THIS RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE REPLACING THE LOCK CYLINDER,THE PROBLEM WILL NOT BE CORRECTED. EXPERIENCED MECH/TECH CAN REPLACE THE LOCK CYLINDER IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10637564

Incident

Jan 8, 2014

Mileage

180,000 mi

I WAS PARKING THE CAR IN MY DRIVE WAY AND ALL OF SUDDEN A LOUD NOISE COMES FROM UNDERNEATH AND THE CAR STEERS BY ITSELF IN THE WRONG DIRECTION WHERE THE OTHER CAR WAS ALREADY PARKED. I MANAGED TO STEER DUE TO THE SLOW SPEED THE CAR WAS MOVING BUT I REALIZED HOW BAD THIS COULD HAVE BEEN WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN TRAFFIC AND AT HIGH SPEED RATES. WHEN I CHECKED WHAT HAPPENED, I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END CRADLE THAT THE STEERING RACK MOUNTS TO, HAS RUSTED OUT AND THE WHOLE RACK AND PINION BECAME LOSE IN ONE OF THE MOUNTING POINTS. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE QUALITY AND WORKMANSHIP THEY PUT IN ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE CAR, WHERE STEERING, SUSPENSION, IN FACT THE WHOLE POWER TRAIN SEATS ON AND IT FAILED SO EASY. THE MANUFACTURE WAS TRYING TO SAVE SOME DOLLARS AT THE COST OF PEOPLES LIVES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10490238

Incident

Dec 21, 2012

Mileage

76,900 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY STIFF, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT TO STEER IN ANY DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,041 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 230,000.

NHTSA ID

10435032

Incident

Aug 1, 2011

Mileage

206,041 mi

WHILE DRIVING MY 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU AT SLOW SPEED (LUCKILY), THE STEERING MAKE A CRUNCHING NOISE AND COMPLETELY FAILED. THIS CAUSE THE COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SIMPLY SPIN, WITH NO EFFECT ON THE ACTUAL STEERING GEARBOX. THERE WAS NO LONGER ANY MECHANICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE RACK AND PINION GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MY MOTHER'S HOME ABOUT A MILE AWAY AND THERE WAS AN INITIAL INSPECTION BY MY STEPFATHER (A 25 YEAR VETERAN OF THE AUTOMOBILE BUSINESS). HE STATED THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN A FAILURE LIKE THIS AND SUGGESTED THAT A CONTACT CHEVROLET TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS, WHICH I DID. HE ALSO CHECKED AND THERE WAS ONE IN THE STEERING COLUMN BEARING AND IT WAS COMPLETED IN 2004 ON THIS VEHICLE. I CONTACTED GM BY E-MAIL AND THEY CALLED AND TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY REPAIRS. I SUBSEQUENTLY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE AND THEY DID A PRELIMINARY DIAGNOSIS AND ADVISED ME OF THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE (ALONG WITH A $900 ESTIMATE TO REPAIR IT). THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN A FAILURE LIKE THIS. THE MAIN CONCERN WAS THAT WE WERE EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY, AS THE RESULTANT LOSS OF CONTROL WOULD LIKELY HAVE COST US OUR LIVES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10393522

Incident

Mar 15, 2011

Mileage

177,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS. THE CONTACT WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME ABNORMALLY STIFF YET THE CONTACT WAS STILL ABLE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ID

10380096

Incident

Jan 28, 2011

Mileage

135,000 mi

I WAS ON INTERSTATE 95 GOING HOME WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED UP ON ME AND I STARTED LOSING HORSEPOWER UNTIL I COMPLETELY STOPPED!. SO THERE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE STOPPED!, WITH CARS SWERVING AROUND ME AT HIGH SPEEDS!... NOT TO MENTION THE CARS STOPPED BEHIND ME TRYING TO GET AROUND!. I THOUGHT I WOULD BE BADLY REAR ENDED FOR SURE!!. LUCKILY, A TOW TRUCK HAPPENED TO BE PASSING...AND STOPPED TO HELP. SOMEONE COULD OF BEEN KILLED!!!!!. AND FROM ALL THE TESTIMONIALS I'VE HEARD...I THINK GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD MAIL EVERYONE WHO OWNS A CHEVY MALIBU A BIG FAT CHECK!.

NHTSA ID

10371648

Incident

Sep 5, 2010

WHILE ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN THE WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AS IF THE POWER STEERING HAD GONE OUT. CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD AND WHEEL SUDDENLY SURGED TO THE RIGHT. WHEEL HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT ACCOMPANIED BY STRAIN ON THE POWER STEERING. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10241682

Incident

Aug 15, 2008

Mileage

140,000 mi

ON AUGUST 21, 2008, I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON A LEVEL, STRAIGHT ROAD AND HEARD A SNAP. THE STEERING OF THE CAR GOT REALLY LOOSE AND SQUIRRELLY. I PULL OVER TO CHECK FOR LOOSE COMPONENTS UNDER THE WHEEL WELLS. EVERYTHING LOOKED TIGHT. LATER I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AT THE RACK AND PINION AND HAD A HELPER TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL TO THE LEFT. ONCE THE WHEEL WAS TURNED LEFT, I SAW THE WHOLE RACK MOVE UP AND DOWN FROM THE FRAME OF THE ENGINE CRADLE. FROM THE LOOKS OF IT A PART THAT HELD IT DOWN BROKE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10239260

Incident

Aug 21, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING: RACK AND PINION WAS LEAKING AND THE CONTACT PAID $195, PLUS $470 FOR LABOR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V527000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION). THE CONTACT CALLED GM IN APRIL OF 2002 AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD BE REIMBURSED. WHEN HE INFORMED GM THAT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A PRIVATE SHOP, GM CHANGED THEIR MIND AND NEVER PROVIDED REIMBURSEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,114. UPDATED 04/16/08 *BF THE DEALER REPAIRED THE CAM POSITION SENSOR AS WELL. UPDATED 04/16/08 *TR

NHTSA ID

10222896

Incident

Mar 11, 2002

Mileage

42,114 mi

ANTI THEFT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION IN MY 1998 CHEVY MALIBU HAS CAUSED TURMOIL AND HARDSHIPS. THE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS REGULARLY AND STRANDS ME IN NOT SO SAFE PLACES. IT IS MUCH MORE DANGEROUS TO SIT IN MY CAR IN A DARK PARKING LOT THEN TO HAVE IT STOLEN. SOMETIMES AFTER THE 10 MINUTE WAIT, THE IGNITION STILL DOESN'T TURN OVER, AND IM WAITING ANOTHER 10 MINUTES, AND THEN AGAIN. LAST NIGHT IT TOOK 4 HOURS FOR IT TO GO OFF. NEEDLESS TO SAY I WAS VERY LATE FOR WORK. I HAVE READ THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE, AND THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. IT IS DANGEROUS TO CHEVY'S CONSUMERS, A HORRIBLE ENGINEERING IDEA, AND THEY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR NOT RECALLING THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10209002

Incident

Nov 15, 2007

HAVING TROUBLE WHEN TURNING VEHICLE. SOMETIMES THERE IS A MAJOR DELAY WHEN TURNING LEFT FOLLOWED BY A JERK TO THE LEFT. SOMETIMES IT FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS TO HARD TO TURN TO THE LEFT THEN EXTREMELY EASY TO TURN TO RIGHT AS THOUGH UNASSISTED. I HAVE A RECALL FOR 98 MALIBU BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD IT DID NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE . I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE CONSIDERING THE TROUBLE I AM HAVING WHICH IS JUST LIKE OTHER 98 MALIBUS THE CAMPAIGN # IS 03V527000 EFF. 12/11/03 GM RECALL# 03062. *NM

NHTSA ID

10161289

Incident

Jun 29, 2006

Mileage

103,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND TURNING THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING. THE NOISE IS MORE NOTICEABLE WHILE DRIVING AT LOWER SPEEDS. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V527000, REGARDING THE 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. UPDATED 4/6/2006 - REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *NM

NHTSA ID

10152003

Incident

Feb 1, 2006

Mileage

91,201 mi

WHEEL BEARINGS KEEP FAILING, RESULTING IN ME HAVING TO GET NEW OR RESURFACED ROTORS, PADS, CALIPERS, BEARINGS OBVIOUSLY, ETC. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME IN A YEAR AND A HALF! I CAN'T AFFORD TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE, BUT I CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP SHELLING OUT $500-600 EVERY SIX MONTHS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, EITHER. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, AND TALKING TO A FEW MECHANICS, I'M APPARENTLY NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, MY POWER STEERING HOSE HAS A HABIT OF BLOWING OFF THE LINE FOR NO REASON, RESULTING IN ME HAVING TO RE-ATTACH IT. BUT I DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT, I WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY BRAKE SYSTEM. *JB

NHTSA ID

10132730

Incident

Aug 9, 2005

Mileage

83,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT, MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT. I HAVE HAD IT REPLACED ONCE BEFORE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. D.F.*AK

NHTSA ID

10102190

Incident

Nov 15, 2004

Mileage

89,250 mi

CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 03V527000. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK UPDATED 12/12/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID

10095221

Incident

Oct 6, 2004

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER NOTICED LIQUID LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A RECALL NOTICE 03082 WAS ISSUED, BUT MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE RECALL DID NOT AFFECT THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10094454

Incident

Sep 27, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CONSUMER HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHILE TURNING. THE CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE TURNING LEFT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FIRESTONE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER PINION BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND POSSIBLY THE GEAR ASSEMBLY. *JB THE VEHICLE'S STEERING RACK AND PIONION WAS RECALLED BUT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *NM

NHTSA ID

10087963

Incident

May 27, 2004

Mileage

99,875 mi

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN SINGLE CAR COLLISION. STEERING FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10087268

Incident

Jul 1, 2004

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR: I HAVE REPLACED TIRES TWICE, TRIED TO HAVE THE FRONT END ALIGNED BECAUSE OF THE STEERING PROBLEM , IT IS LIKE I HAVE NO POWER STEERING - WHEN I TOOK IT TO GET THE FRONT END ALIGNED, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T DO IT BECAUSE OF THE RACK & PINION NEEDED REPLACED FIRST. I HAVE CALLED GM AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS AND FOR ME TO CONTACT YOU. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO PUT A MOTOR AND BRAKES(SEVERAL TIMES) ON THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP ME. SINCERELY, [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10081051

Incident

Jul 9, 2004

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A LOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. DEALERSHIP SOLVED THE PROBLEM ONCE, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10073902

Incident

Apr 18, 2004

Mileage

171,000 mi