I was driving home veered off the left side of the road lost control the power steering went out spun in circles until finally hitting a concrete culvert neither airbag deployed. I broke 4 vertebraes 7 ribs and received a traumatic brain injury. Couldn't even recall my parents foe months or even they lived together . Laid in the car til paramedic found me about an hor later. The airbag was designed to prevent head injury. The 1997 chevy lumina failed horribly. Plus tendays in a coma lost a $50 k yr job and sent to a nursing home to spend my 33rd,thanksgnd christmas in until I was released from guardianship. 12/30/13 please help! How is the 1997 malibu different than all the luminas recalls? Same year. Gm istrying to cut there costs oh but they messed up.
1997 Chevrolet Lumina: loss of power steering
14 of the 346 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina describe loss of power steering.
- owner complaints
- 14
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- recalls
- 1
Loss of power steering by model year
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet lumina. The contact was attempting a left turn at 15 MPH when the power steering failed. The steering wheel became extremely difficult to maneuver. The contact stated the failure would only occur when making a left turn. The contact checked the brake fluid levels which were adequate. He was able to locate a recall for the failure (the federal safety agency campaign id number: 03v527000- steering: rack and pinion) but was advised by the manufacturer that his VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 110,000. Updated 11/03/10. *lj updated 11/04/10
Ltr fwd wmail fm (tx) re recall of a 1997 chevrolet lumina for defective steering column.*ts the consumer's daughter was involved in an accident which resulted in fatal injuries. The vehicle has an open recall on the steering rack and pinion. If this part failed it could result in loss of steering control. The consumer believes the part failed and caused his daughter to loose control of the vehicle. As a result the vehicle crashed into a full size pickup which was pulling a stock trailer.
The federal safety agency recall 03v527000, while driving front lower ball joint failed. Consumer lost steering control temporarily. Dealership repaired the recall once, but consumer was still having problems in this area. Team chevrolet, 626‑449‑3333.
Consumer stated after recall 03v527000 repairs were performed rack and pinion bearing malfunctioned. As a result, the steering became hard.
Vehicle's tensioner and power steering failed.*mr the tensioner failed in the driveway. Other failed parts includes fuel gauge, turn signal switch, and alternator ( new battery required and vehicle was towed). These parts failed between 36,500 miles and 42,000 miles. Consumer disappointed with the low mileage failures of his vehicle. *ph
When attempting to turn left power steering failed.
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.
About four days before the actual shut down of the car, my daughter was coming home from school when she noticed the fuel gauge was fluctuating all over the place. We were going to have it checked asap, not thinking that it was a severe problem. Four days later, while driving on ridge road at about 40 MPH, the car shut down electrically, no brakes, no steering (power) and fought to get the car off the road. A chevy dealer nearby ran diagnostics (doan chevy ridge road) and determined a faulty fuel pump sending unit. My concern is I had no awareness of any problems on this vehicle and the what if she were on the expressway going 55mph? I believe this to be a serious situation. What can be done?
Lack of ability to steer auto. *ak consumer states power steering failed.
It is difficult to maintain steering control of the vehicle, the vehicle could not be directed when power steering failed, this occurred more frequently while traveling at low speeds and making a turn, an independent mechanic replaced power steering pump and rack and pinion which corrected the problem. *ak
Vehicle has experienced brake problems, front rotors have been replaced twice, front brake pads have been replaced, rear shoes glazed. Steering gear replaced due to consumer losing power steering while driving, power steering pump was replaced, rack was also replaced. Water pump was leaking and was replaced. Air bag light illuminated, dealer stated sir coil inoperative.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
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
Questions about the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina power steering loss
Is loss of power steering a common problem on the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina?
14 of 346 owner complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina (4%) mention loss of power steering. The model year with the most reports is 1990.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina?
There is 1 recall and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina
Steering lock-up 15Stalling 13No deployment 12Airbag light 11Fuel gauge 11Fuel pump 10Wipers 9Brake failure 7Headlights 6Loss of power 6Grinding brakes 5Door locks 5Fuel leak 5
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