Was making a left turn when the steering wheel became stuck. Was hard to control the steering wheel but managed to move to side of road and turn vehicle off. Restarted vehicle. Will be taking vehicle to dealership to have mechanic check out the problem.
1997 Chevrolet Lumina steering complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 88, newest first, as owners wrote them.
When attempting to turn left power steering failed.
Difficulty in steering vehicle when making left turns. Cause of the problem has not been determined.
1997 chevrolet lumina locked up on left turn 2 times. Took into repair shop and they diagnosed as internal rack and pinion failure. Had rack and pinion replaced for $693.
I own a 1997 chevrolet lumina. The steering mechanism has a sporadic problem which makes it extremely difficult to turn the steering wheel at low speeds. Many times I have had to panic brake in order to stop the vehicle because it won't turn quickly enough to avoid other objects. This has been going on since I bought the car (may 1997). I've returned it to the local gm dealer who tells me there is nothing wrong with it. Gm sent me a letter in january of 2003 saying that my model was being recalled and I would receive another letter. No other communication arrived. When I checked at the gm dealer and on the gm recall web site, it reported that my model was not affected. I read in the newspaper today that the federal safety agency is conducting an investigation into steering issues involving this vehicle. I can assure you that my car has those issues and gm has been unwilling to do anything about it.
Loss of left steering.
1997 chevrolet lumina. Power steering fails intermittently, and steering locks up while making a left turn. Problem occurred suddenly in a parking lot luckily. Subsequently the steering becomes heavy and feels locked when making a hard left. I have taken the car in and the mechanic said it sounds like the rack and pinion and he has seen it often in this model.
Power sterring locked up. Could not turn left. Power steering fluid all over the rocker arm and ground.
Consumer states while driving on flat surface and with no warning steering wheel locked up, causing a vehicle accident. Dealer notified.
Lower pinion bearing in the power steering separated on vehicle. *mr bad power steering pump, rack and pinion had to be replaced. Dealer not aware of any recall. *tt
I have a 1997 chevrolet lumina that my steering is locking up when turning left only, I have contacted chevrolet and they indicate there is not a recall but reading your web site a notice was posted that gm will recall 1.5 million vehicles for a steering problem campaign id02v286000, but gm will not pay for any repairs because it is not a problem according to them. I have almost gotten in several accidents due to this problem and can not drive my car today.
1997 chevrolet lumina , steering locks up when turning left .
All engine mounts upper and lower had to be replaced. Also had to replace both tie-rod ends, inner & out.
Over past few months vehicle has exhibited considerable play in steering when wheels are turned half-way to the left. When held in this position the steering wheel would oscillate left to right 1 to 2 inches. This morning while driving the vehicle I suddenly found it difficult to turn the wheel to the right. It was similar to a power steering failure. After a subsequent left turn the steering wheel re-centered itself to the left approximately. 20 degrees off-center. During the remainder of the drive the steering was erratic in turns. Alignment is fine. Power steering pump was replaced due to leaking 1 year ago. Vehicle receives regular maintenance per manufacturer's guidelines. The steering failure is consistent with defect described in recall 02-v-286-000. Reported this to gm and was informed that by the VIN the vehicle is not subject to this recall, and that due to the age and mileage there is no reimbursement for repair costs. I work with the auto industry and I am familiar with the common practice of parts substitution or "approved engineering deviations". While gm may not show the defective rack & pinion bearing assembly on the bill of material for the 1997 lumina, it is evident from the number of complaints reported that several of the model year '97 lumina's were manufactured with the defective assembly. At the least gm should recall the 1997 lumina's for dealer inspection and repair those with defective bearing assemblies.
The consumers vehicle, a 1997 lumina, experienced a failure related to a recall issued for the 1996 lumina. The consumer had the rack repaired and requested reimbursement. Reimbursement was denied due to the model year. *ak
1997 chevrolet lumina steering problem. I saw that there was a recall of this vehicle, but I have not been notified.
While driving, the lower pinion bearing in the power steering gear separated and the consumer loss control of the vehicle when she attempted to turn right or left. Consumer was told the manufacturer issued a recall on certain 1996,19997 and 1998 pontiac, grand prix/sunfire and trans am vehicles regarding the power steering gear separation. Consumer wanted to know if her vehicle was included under the recall since it experienced the same problem. *ak *jb
The consumers vehicle experienced symptoms of the federal safety agency recall # 02-v-286-000 which states that certain passenger vehicles and mini vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. The consumers vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.
The rack and pinion had to be replaced, and the consumer requested reimbursement. *ts
The rack and pinion had to be replaced on the vehicle.
The vehicle experienced the same problem with the rack and pinion as stated in recall # 02 v 286 000, however the vehicle identification number was not included in the recall.
Power steering defect on 1997 chevy lumnia. I read where there was a recall on this but never received a notification. Mine is leaking and growling.
The rack and pinion failed, there was a recall regarding the issue, however consumer's vehicle was not included.
While making right turn onto the highway the steering column locked due to steering rack failure. *ph
Car was hard to turn to the left. Couple days later while pulling out of the driveway the steering went conpletely out. Heard on news there was recall on luminas and other chevrolet models, dealer claims its only on lumina vans.
While driving at 40 MPH the steering column broke, dealer replaced the power steering column.
Vehicle experienced a failure with the rack and pinion steering, there was a recall regarding the issue, however it did not apply to consumer's vehicle.
When driving at low speeds or making turns, vehicle will intermittenly lose the power steering function, making it difficult for consumer to maintain control on roadways. Ts
SEE the federal safety agency ACTION PE01-038. DT
Steering locked-up making a left turn on several occasions, the last of which when my wife and 3 kids were in the car. Lock-up even occured to the gm service man when he dropped me off at work before completing the repair. Gm claims that it is a part that must have been worn out since the warranty is expired due to years. Only 36,000 miles on this vehicle, even the cavalier steering racks last the life of the car. This is a defective part that gm needs to fix. Nlm
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1997 Chevrolet Lumina?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history