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.
Buick Regal steering noise problems
11 of the 2,973 owner complaints about the Buick Regal describe clunking or noise when steering, most of them for the 1998 model year.
- owner complaints
- 11
- worst model year
- 1998
By model year
- 20011
- 20001
- 19992
- 19984
- 19971
- 19912
Often reported together
Harsh shifting 7Steering lock-up 1Power steering loss 1Engine failure 1Ball joint 1
What owners say
Experienced a clunking noise when make turns at slow speed. Symptoms included looseness in the steering wheel and a popping in the brake pedal during turns at low speeds. This was fixed under warranty at about 25,000 miles (re-lubricating in the intermediate steering shaft), but the problem has resurfaced at 50,000 miles.
After the dealership performed steering gear bearing recall 03v527000 repairs the steering wheel made a clicking noise . The noise occurred when making a sharp left or right turn and when in reverse.
Clunk noise occurs when turning right or left and while going in reversed. Especially noticed after car parked for a period of time. Took to dealership and was advised it is a common noise and noting to repair. But dealer noticed the stabilizer links were cracked. And was replaced.
Problems with power steering mechanism. *mr there was a clunking sound in the steering mechanism. Mechanics believed that this was associated with the rack and pinion. The steering started to have difficulty in movement as well as almost locking when slowing or turning. *scc
Consumer noticed while traveling and making a left hand turn that power steering locked up. *ak vehicle rolled after a stop and power steering locked up from then on. Hard steering and clunking noise on left turns.
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
Popping/cracking from steering column, loose engine mounts, replaced steering column/knuckle, excess vibration/shudder, popping/cracking noises from steering wheel, undercarriage, suspension... Dealer has not resolved.
While coming home heard a banging noise whenever hitting a bump. Consumer turned steering and heard a large clunk. Then, there was loss of steering control, steer wheel could turn all the way around.
Steering makes noises at start-up of car especially in colder weather. It sounds like something clanking. Will take to dealer when we return to florida in 9 days. It has been getting worse.
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Buick Regal Vehicles manufactured August 30, 2015, to February 12, 2016. The affected vehicles have a power-steering assist system that may fail.
- Risk
- A loss of power steering assist may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began on March 21, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300. GM's number for this recall is 21510.
Recall number 16V108000 · Recall details
Steering
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro and Chevrolet Impala vehicles. Improperly torqued fasteners may cause the steering intermediate shaft and the steering gear and/or the lower control arm and the lower ball joint to separate.
- Risk
- If any of the components separate, the vehicle may have a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM began to notify owners on June 27, 2014, and dealers will inspect the fasteners for correct torque, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300 (Buick), 1‑800‑458‑8006 (Cadillac) or 1‑800‑222‑1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14378.
Recall number 14V409000 · Recall details
Steering: rack and pinion
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. If the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering. If the pinion shaft moves even further, the driver will require much higher effort to turn left and may not be able to turn the wheel as much as intended. With the maximum pinion shaft movement, which requires internal gear component damage, the driver can encounter high resistance to turning left, followed by unintended power assist to the right. In any of these conditions, a crash could occur.
- 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. Owners should contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080; chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438; oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537; or pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668.
Recall number 03V527000 · Recall details
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
- What is wrong
- The four (4) steering column support bracket attaching bolts were under torqued during assembly.
- Risk
- Inadequate torque can cause these bolts to vibrate, loosen, or fall out resulting in loss of steering control and increase the potential for a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will retorque the steering column support bracket attaching bolts to the correct specifications.
Recall number 95V030000 · Recall details
Questions about the Buick Regal steering noise
Which Buick Regal years have clunking or noise when steering problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1998 (4 complaints), 1991 (2 complaints) and 1999 (2 complaints).
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