1999 Buick Regal: harsh or hard shifting

5 of the 246 complaints about the 1999 Buick Regal describe harsh or hard shifting.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 2%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 10 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Harsh or hard shifting by model year

2015
1
2013
1
2011
1
2003
1
2001
5
2000
3
1999
5
1998
4
1994
1
1991
3

What owners say

Filed Sep 11, 2018 · Steering · 162,000 miles · WA

August 2017', the steering began to pull very slightly left and right at all speeds but more noticeable at low speeds or when turning the wheels at a stop with a very slight clunk noise that got louder over the year. Visible inspection at my repair shop during a flat rear tire repair did not find anything worn out or damaged but suggested maybe a ball joint could be getting old enough to need replaced as it did have about 158,000 or so miles on it but they couldn't indicate if it was a ball joint specifically as there was no unusual movement or noise from one. I also checked and found no issues with any component underneath. No leaks and power steering fluid was good.then september 7, 2018', while driving around town the steering made a loud clunk steering left and really began to pull especially left. I got it home 3 miles later and put it on ramps and had someone work the steering wheel back and forth and I found the clunk is coming from the drivers side of the rack and pinion assembly. You can literally see it jump when it clunks. After this stationary test the steering was much worse, the car was not drivable f the block with out heavy effort on the steering wheel so it is parked until it can get fixed. Complaint history for this issue with gm vehicles in this +/- 2 year range is alarming.

Filed Mar 7, 2005 · Steering · 35,611 miles · OR

Over several weeks time I noticed that when vehicle was sitting still right turn required greater effort to turn steering wheel, as though wheel was against curb. Then noticed that I could "shake" tires if grasped at 3 and 9 oclock also could hear a sligth "clunk" took car to dealer and was told rack and pinion was defective, with vehicle on rack mechanic pierced rubber boot on rack and pinion assembly and fluid ran out, also tie rod end was loose.

Filed Jul 18, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · 89,477 miles · CA

The vehicle swayed left to right while driving, and the steering wheel was hard to control. *jb there was a clunk in the steering wheel which caused by the undertorqued steering gear bolts. The steering shaft was loose and was replaced by the dealer. *ts(see annotation - m. Jordan) *ts. Also the engine failed to turn over, the dealer replaced the alternator and found the no voltage on the battery, the transmission jumped when it was put into gear, the dealer found the shaft for the 4th gear worn, the vehicle pulled to the side, the rack and pinion was replaced, the oil pan and front motor mount was replaced

Filed Jul 10, 2003 · Steering, Tires · 89,000 miles · MI

Severe clunking noise under hood when turning wheel. After taking car to various mechanics, it was a unanimous consenus the rack & pinion needed replacement.

Filed Apr 7, 2000 · Steering · NC

Clunking feel in steering as if loose component or excess freeplay somewhere. Original "rack" was replaced, and now 3000 miles later, the replacement rack is getting loose and causing the clunking. There's a service alert within general motors # 98-12, but clearly they haven't solved it, since replacement units soon redevelop the problem. Issue aside from the annoyance of clunking in the steering gear, is "when is something going to fall off and cause lack of steering"? Incidentally, my wife recently purchased a '98 olds intrigue, and they just replaced her steering rack. Wonder how long it will last? Feel free to contact me for more details.