Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
30
Latest Dec 19, 2017
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 462 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
What this page shows
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 30 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming steering
The 25 most recent of 30, in the owner's own words
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE SERVICE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD NOTICED THE POWER STEERING WAS NO LONGER EFFECTIVE AND DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE FOR THE POWER STEERING WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED NOR MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
NHTSA ID
11055484
Incident
Feb 24, 2017
Mileage
117,000 mi
AirbagsSteering
Filed Nov 18, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH OVER A BUMP, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND A CONCUSSION, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ID
10658797
Incident
Nov 11, 2014
Mileage
90,000 mi
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting+2 more
Filed Sep 13, 2010
POWER WINDOWS HAVE BOTH WENT OUT HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR FOR THAT, 2 TIMES NOW THE RACK AND PINION HAS CAME OUT AND 2 TIMES I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALTENATOR HAD TO REPLACE OVERFLOW RESORVOIR I DONT FIND THIS TO BE A RELIABLE OR SAFE CAR TO BE IN. I BOUGHT IT USED SO WHO KNOWS WHAT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE I GOT IT I FORGOT TO MENTION MY PART-TIME SIGNAL LIGHTS THEY WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO AND I HAD TO REPLACE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSER I HAVE ONLY HAD CAR 5 YRS MYSELF AND ITS SO NOT WORTH THE MONEY I HAVE PUT INTO IT THE DATES VARY BUT THE FIRST WAS IN 2004 AND THE LAST WAS 2009. *TR
NHTSA ID
10355125
Incident
Dec 3, 2009
Fuel systemSteeringVisibility
Filed May 1, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR REGULATOR AND MOTOR. IN ADDITION, THE RUBBER CHANNEL THAT IS LOCATED INSIDE THE WINDOW WAS NOT TIGHT AND COULD CAUSE THE WINDOW TO FALL OUT AND SHATTER. THE WINDOW FAILURE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS FAILING. HE HEARD A TICKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE DROVE DIFFERENTLY. THE DEALER REFUSED TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT ALSO BELIEVED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT STEERING CORRECTLY. THE DEALER STILL REFUSED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE HIS COMPLAINT TO BE A PRIORITY BECAUSE HE IS A VIETNAM VETERAN WITH MULTIPLE PHYSICAL CHALLENGES AND A LIMITED INCOME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,375 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000.
NHTSA ID
10267483
Incident
Jan 15, 2009
Mileage
10,375 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+4 more
Filed Jan 26, 2007
I HAVE HAD AN 99' OLDSMOBILE ALERO FOR 7 YEARS. IT HAS HAD ALMOST EVERY PROBLEM LISTED ON THIS WEBSITE. IT HAS HAD AN OVER HEATING PROBLEM EVERY YEAR SINCE I GOT IT AND I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS IN REPAIRS FOR THE COOLING SYSTEM, FUEL PUMP, POOR INTERIOR MANUFACTURER, AC/HEATER BLOWER MOTOR SETTINGS FAILURE, FUEL GAUGE FAILURE, TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE, POOR SPRINGS/STRUTS, GEAR SLIPPING, HARD STARTING, WATER LEAKING IN FROM RAIN UNDER GLOVE COMPARTMENT, OFF ALIGNMENT (SET THREE TIMES IN YEAR), POOR GAS MILEAGE, OVERHEATING OR RUNNING ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURE AND SUDDEN OVERHEATING WITHOUT NOTICE OF GAUGE LIGHTS OR SOUNDS. HAS HAD FRONT RIGHT CALIPER FAILURE LOCKING BRAKE PADS DOWN AGAINST ROTOR CAUSING BURNOUT OF PADS,ROTOR WARPING, CALIPER CYLINDER DAMAGE. HAS HAD POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKAGE. THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND GM SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH SELLING UNSAFE, WORTHLESS VEHICLES. THE ONLY REASON I STILL HAVE MINE RUNNING IS BECAUSE I HAVE PUT A LOT OF PERSONAL AS WELL AS PAID LABOR INTO ITS UPKEEP OVER THE YEARS DUE TO THAT I CANT AFFORD ANOTHER CAR. *JB
NHTSA ID
10180772
Incident
Nov 10, 2006
Mileage
75,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 16, 2005
NOTICED PLAY AND LOOSENESS IN STEERING HAD IT CHECK OUT BY MECHANIC AND FOUND IT WAS MY RACK AND PINION I AM REPLACING IT WITH ANOTHER USED PART. *JB
PURCHASED THE CAR IN FEBRUARY'03. BAD VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OVER 45 MPH, TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED 4+ TIMES, BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARING/HUB KITS REPLACED IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, STILL OCCURS AND HAVE JUST GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO THE SHAKING. ENGINE COOLANT LEAKS: REPLACED PUMP AND "O" RING. POWER STEERING PUMP AND RETURN HOSE REPLACED. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DOES NOT ROLL BACK UP(BELIEVE DEALERSHIP REPLACED PRIO TO PURCHASE). DRIVER SIDE MIRROR MOTOR HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY, DEALER(IN ROCHESTER) PUT ON RECEIPT OF LAST REPAIR THAT THEY REPLACED MOTOR, BUT DIDN'T ACTUALLY HAVE PART, BUT WAS ON ORDER. NEVER RECEIVED A PHONE CALL BACK WHEN OR IF PART CAME IN(DEALERSHIP IS OVER 300 MILES FROM MY HOME, PURCHASED CAR ON THE INTERNET).*JB
NHTSA ID
10098708
Incident
Feb 28, 2003
Mileage
32,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 26, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A SQUEALING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. CONSUMER ADDED POWER STEERING FLUID, THAT STOPPED THE NOISE. ALSO, CONSUMER HEARD A CLANKING SOUND WHEN RIGHT TURNS WERE MADE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO FOUND THAT RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
NHTSA ID
10059867
Incident
Dec 16, 2003
Mileage
134,000 mi
Body & structureEngineSteering
Filed Jan 15, 2004
WITHIN MY 36,000 OF DRIVING FROM 50,222 TO 86,119 MY INTAKE GASKETS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. MY RACK HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED A THIRD TIME. I AM ALSO AWARE THAT THE RACK WAS REPLACED WHILE THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE CAR. RECENTLY I REALIZED WHY WATER WAS GETTING INTO MY PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE WINDOW SEAL IS SHIFTED CAUSING THE WINDOW TO LEAK IF THE CAR IS PARKED AT CERTAIN INCLINES. THIS REPAIR IS NOT COVERED BY MY PRE-OWNED VEHICLE WARRANTY. ALL MAJOR REPAIRS HAVE BEEN COVERED BY MY WARRANTY AND ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS HAVE BEE QUOTE "EATEN" BY REPAIR FACILITIES.
NHTSA ID
10069523
Incident
Jan 15, 2003
BrakesOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Jan 15, 2004
WHEEL BEARING WORE OUT AT 52000 MILES. BATTERY TERMINAL POST BROKE OFF. BRAKE CALIPER MELTED AT 51000 MILES. TWO POWER STEERING LINES BURST AT 59000. THE COST OF THE REPAIR FOR THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM IS AN ESTIMATE I GOT FROM A MECHANIC, BUT I HAVE NOT YET REPAIRED. I'M HOPING FOR A RECALL BEFORE I TAKE ANY ACTION. MY COMPLAINTS ARE BASED ON THE FACT THAT THERE'S NO GOOD REASON FOR ANY OF THOSE THINGS TO NEED REPAIR THAT SERIOUS. AREN'T WHEEL BEARINGS AND POWER STEERING LINES SUPPOSED TO LAST FOR A WHILE?
NHTSA ID
10068787
Incident
Aug 15, 2002
Mileage
51,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 10, 2003
POWER STEERING FLUID RETURN LINE LEAKED AND LOST ALL FLUID, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. CONNECTION FROM METAL HOSE TO REINFORCED RUBBER HOSE HAD FAILED. *LA
NHTSA ID
10049542
Incident
Nov 10, 2003
Mileage
40,479 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)Steering+1 more
Filed Aug 27, 2003
BAD VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.HAD WHEELS ALIGNED,TIRES BALANCED, TIE RODS ,BOTH FRONT AXLES, BOTH FRONT BEARINGS, FRONT DISC BRAKES(ROTORS AND PADS), BOTH FRONT STRUTS REPLACED. VIBRATION AT TIMES GETS BAD ENOUGH TO LOSE CONTROL. NONE OF THE ABOVE SOLUTIONS FIXED THE PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ID
10036687
Incident
Aug 1, 2003
Mileage
65,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 9, 2003
POWER STEERING PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE FOR GRINDING NOISE. IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN FOR WHINING NOISE AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING. SINCE OLDSMOBILE DEALERSHIP CLOSED THEIR DOORS AFTER 36 YEARS THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED THROUGH THEM IS NOT VALID AND HAVE TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF. BBB AND STATE ATTY GENERAL'S OFFICE WERE OF NO HELP WITH FINDING/HAVING DELAERSHIP HONOR THE WARRANTY.
NHTSA ID
10005544
Incident
Nov 29, 2002
Mileage
39,151 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 5, 2002
CONSUMER NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM POWER STEERING SYSTEM. DEALER DETERMINED POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ON 4 FEB 2002, AT FIRST START, CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER VEHICLE, IT WAS TOWED TO DEALER. POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *JB
NHTSA ID
8003597
Incident
Mar 15, 2001
Body & structureEngineSeat belts+5 more
Filed Oct 5, 2001
SQUEEKING NOISE CAN BE HEARD IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. *JB
NHTSA ID
785716
Incident
Mar 27, 2000
BrakesEngineSteering+1 more
Filed Aug 27, 2001
POWER STEERING HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE.*JB
NHTSA ID
785483
Incident
Mar 20, 2001
BrakesSteeringTransmission
Filed Aug 17, 2001
ABS SENOR LIGHT AND THE TRACKING LIGHT HAVE CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE WITHOUT BRAKES. VEHICLE BEEN INTO DEALER SHOP ON FIVE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. *AK CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A CRUNCHING NOISE FROM BRAKES BRAKE BOOSTER WAS RELACED, CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT POWER STEERING WAS NOISEY.*JB
NHTSA ID
894652
Incident
Jul 6, 2001
Heating & air conditioningDriver assistanceElectrical+1 more
Filed May 5, 2001
I HVE HAD THIS CAR FOR A YEAR NOW AND THEY HAVE DID OVER 7,000 DOLLARS REPAIRS ON IT SO FAR THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS ALERO. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
NHTSA ID
744966
Incident
May 28, 2000
Steering
Filed Apr 4, 2001
CONSUMER HAS POOR STEERING CONTROL. INFORMED BY MANUFACTURER THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 98V320000 FOR STEERING WHEEL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ID
885063
Incident
Feb 24, 2001
Steering
Filed Mar 8, 2001
POWER STEERING FAILED ON VEHICLE WITH JUST OVER 41,000 MILES. *AK
NHTSA ID
742124
Incident
Feb 25, 2001
Steering
Filed Oct 17, 2000
WHEN DRIVING OVER 50 MPH AND UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE GRAUDAL STOP STEERING WHEEL SHAKED, CAUSING POOR VEHICLE CONTROL. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER NOTED A NUT WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL HAS COME APART, CAUSING THE PROBLEM. ALSO, RECALL NUMBER 98V320000 DEALT WITH SAME PROBLEM; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ID
873142
Steering
Filed Jun 19, 2000
THE STEERING SHAFT WAS STRIPPED, REPLACED UNIT DUE TO NOISE, DURING REPAIR WE FOUND OUT THE CONDITION OF THE SHAFT, THE RECALL (98V-320) INDICATES THE SAME FAILURE. *MJS
NHTSA ID
784049
Body & structureBrakesSteering
Filed May 19, 2000
WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES;MECHANIC SAID, THE ROTOR IS WARPED AND THAT HAPPENS SOMETIMES UNDER NORMAL WERE./POWERSTEERING MAKES NOISE WHEN CAR IS IDLING; MECHANIC SAID THE ENGINE OIL IS LOW./I FIND WATER ON THE BACK SEAT FLOOR AFTER IT RAINS
NHTSA ID
722913
SteeringTransmission
Filed Dec 21, 1999
WHILE DRIVING POWER STEERING WENT OUT DUE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP BEING FAULTY. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. DEALER HAS REPLACED PUMP, AND NOW IS ALSO REPLACING TRANSMISSION. *AK
NHTSA ID
853481
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own