Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet monte carlo. The contact stated that while driving 85 MPH, the steering wheel became loose and caused the contact to temporarily lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician advised that the lower pinion bearing for the steering rack needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 03v527000 (steering:rack and pinion) however, the vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 220,000.
1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo steering problems
30 complaints (18% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 118,000. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 30
- of this car's complaints
- 18%
- typical mileage
- 118,000
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Rack and pinion16
- Hydraulic power assist: pump3
- Steering wheel/handle bar2
- Hydraulic power assist system2
- Linkages: tie rod assembly1
- Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1
- Gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
- Column locking: anti-theft device1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Chevrolet Monte Carlo steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
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
Related investigations
Power rack and pinion steering failure
Gm's letter to the federal safety agency dated december 11, 2003, expands its original recall (the federal safety agency 02v286) to include certain w-body vehicles: 96-97 olds cutlass supreme; 98 olds intrigue; 97-98 olds cutlass; 97-98 chevy lumina, monte carlo and malibu; 96 pontiac grand prix; and 96-98 buick regal.the number of vehicles recalled is 750,283.gm determined that failure of the rack and pinion is related to damage of the lower pinion bearing and the level of the pinion bearing pre-load spring force.gm states, higher rack pre-load spring force (133 lb.) is the design characteristic most closely associated with higher bearing damage rates in most of the vehicle applications that used the general bearing company (gbc) bearing.all of the vehicles covered in the expanded recall have the 133 lb spring force.the 96 lumina/monte carlo and 97-98 century w-body vehicles included in this investigation utilize a lower spring force and are not included in the recall.
EA03019
Power rack and pinion steering failure
Gm conducted a safety recall (the federal safety agency # 02v286) to address a steering defect pertaining to a lower pinion bearing (lpb) within the rack and pinion steering gear (r&p). The recall covered 1,159,156 model year 1997-1998 pontiac grand prix vehicles built between march 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997, 1996-1998 pontiac trans sport, chevrolet lumina apv, chevrolet venture, oldsmobile silhouette minivans, and chevrolet cavalier and pontiac sunfire sedans built between january 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997.odi opened this rq after receiving reports that other vehicles were exhibiting the same symptoms as the recalled vehicles.based on odi's review of technical and complaint data collected during the rq, the w-cars are associated with either a higher steering complaint rate or a higher lpb failure rate than the other vehicles investigated under the rq and are above or near the rates for the recalled vehicles.thus, odi will further examine the w-cars (1996-1997 oldsmobile cutlass supreme, 1996-1998 buick regal, chevrolet lumina, chevrolet monte carlo, 1997-1998 buick century, and 1998 oldsmobile intrigue) under a new investigation, engineering analysis (ea)03-019.
RQ03001
What 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My 97 chevy monte carlo has had no lower brake lights for some time . I had my car checked by an auto electrician and was told that the problem was so severe and it would probably never find the source of the problem. I am very concerned with this issue being it may cause serious injury to my self/family or others. As I drive on the road I notice many autos of the same year and type have the same problem so I know its not only my vehicle .I thought it could of been the factory installed security system so I had it uninstalled to come to the fact that it was not the security system after all. Please help with this issue . This is my only source of transportation as I am disabled and cannot afford another vehicle . I have put constant repairs on this car , fuel inj tank, etc. Again please address this urgent issue.
Dt: consumer had recall 03v527000 repairs done in february which was suppose to be preventive recall work. Vehicle was still experiencing loss of power steering. Consumer said when she turned left the vehicle demonstrated high resistance. Took vehicle to dealer after manufacturer advised her to take it to any dealer. The dealer insisted that she go back to dealer who did the original recall repairs. Dealer checked vehicle after she agreed to pay for the labor. Mechanic checked vehicle and claimed it was rack and pinion problem.
While making a right turn at 5 MPH, the vehicle lost power, causing the consumer's vehicle to hit a pole. *ak the consumer stated the problem was due to steering rack failure.
Recall 03v527000 concerning steering gear bearings. Consumer had a concern while making a left turn the vehicle lost steering control. Also, air conditioner/ hazard lights, and driver's side power window failed to operate. Dealer was not notified.
Vehicle's steering went out all of a sudden while driving. *mr recall #750283. The consumer requested her money back. *sc in jan. 2004 a recall was issued on the steering rack and pinion. The consumer was told to send in her paperwork and a reimbursement check would be sent to her, but instead the consumer received a denial letter. The manufacturer stated the reason for the denial of reimbursement was because the consumer did not have the vehicle serviced at a gm dealer.
Consumer's claim was denied for reimbursement since the repairs were done prior to receiving the recall notice.
Steering wheel did not turn upon starting the vehicle. Consumer took vehicle to a mechanic, and he determined the rack and pinion steering needed to be replaced.
While driving 55 MPH steering wheel locked up. Consumer tried to unlock it but was unable to do so. Consumer applied the brakes and pedal went to the floor. Consumer lost control of the vehicle, and hit a median steel barrier. Then, vehicle rolled three times and landed upside down on the highway. Upon impact, both frontal airbag did not deploy. Driver sustained neck and back injuries and was transported by ambulance, to the hospital. Vehicle was totaled.
The federal safety agency recall# 03v527000 subject:steering gear bearings. Consumer received the notice for the recall the first part of february. Consumer called the dealer six times. Dealer did not have the tools to fix the recalled part, and told the consumer to call back in april. The vehicle was having steering problems.
Questions about the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo steering
Does the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have steering problems?
Owners have filed 30 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 18% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 118,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 03V527000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Monte Carlo have bad steering?
The Chevrolet Monte Carlo model years with the most steering complaints are 2001 (38 complaints), 1997 (30 complaints) and 2000 (25 complaints).
Other 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems
Brakes 36Engine 30Electrical 17Airbags 15Fuel system 13Lights 9Seat belts 9Suspension 8Transmission 8Visibility 8Acceleration 7Body 6Seats 5Locks 2Wheels 2
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