Steering locked up on '97 venture van while being operated at 70 MPH on a straight highway. Vehicle had to be towed, rack and pinion and steering pump replaced.
1997 Chevrolet Venture: steering wheel locks up
17 of the 431 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Venture describe steering wheel locks up.
- owner complaints
- 17
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 1 service bulletin for this area of the car. See below
Steering wheel locks up by model year
- 20041
- 19985
- 199717
What owners say
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet venture. The contact stated that the manufacturer was not going to honor the recall for the steering rack and pinion because her VIN was not included. While making a right turn at 5 MPH, the steering wheel locked. The failure occurs intermittently. According to the federal safety agency manufacturer notices to dealers (etc rcmn-02v286-8630.pdf), the VIN was included in the recall. The dealer stated that they could not find a recall for the steering rack and pinion. The powertrain and recall number were unknown. The current mileage was 160,000 and failure mileage was 100,197.
When turning the steering wheel towards the right steering wheel locked, causing the consumer to lose control of the vehicle. Consumer took vehicle to the dealership to be inspected.
Loss of power steering LED to the death of driver's infant daughter as stated by the consumer's lawyer. *la while driving the vehicle's steering locked up. The consumer lost control of the vehicle which then ran off the road and struck a tree. In january 2003 the manufacturer issued a recall for the vehicle's rack and pinion.
I made a left hand turn onto the street I live on, the steering wheel locked up and released. It ripped out of my hands and sent me right on onto someone's front lawn nearly missing a tree. I regained control just in time and got it back on the road. I limped it home and parked it. I called the dealer I bought it from and did not believe me and would not help, so I started looking for a different vehicle with help from my parents. Found a dealer ship 3 cities away and said bring it in and we'll help you. They called in saginaw steering plant rep. And it did it to him and said we'll replace for free just pay labor. Seeing it was not covered by my extended warranty I accepted and traded it in on a s-10 pick-up.
While driving and attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel locked up nearly causing a major accident. This now happens constantly to the point where we don't even want to drive this minivan. The last time I drove it, the steering locked up a total of 15 times. It is definitely a hazard to my wife and children.
While in motion, consumer was making a left turn and the steering locked. Consumer had to apply considerable force to overcome the resistance. Driving about 100 feet and turning left the steering locked again. Consumer was later informed that a seal in the rack and pinion had failed and the assembly had to be replaced. Consumer disassembled the pinion gear and the seals were in tact. The seals didn't fail. Further inspection and consumer discovered that the lower pinion bearing was damaged and all of the ball bearings were gone. Consumer believes there is a design flaw in the rack and pinion assembly that poses a risk to the general public. Consumer would like to be compensated for monies paid to replace the assembly.
Consumer states while driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel locked up. Took vehicle to rerpair shop, in which they had repaired and stated that the rack and pinion will need replacing. *jb consumer stated that the warranty had expired. (06/26/02)
When driving and making left turns, the steering wheel locks up and owner could not control vehicle. *ak rack and pinion failed. After replacement, air bag light remains on.
Worsening over the course of one week occurring at all speeds power steering locks up while turning left. Chevrolet dealership chevy chase maryland states rack and pinion cracked requiring replacement, power steering flush and hose replacement, and alignment required for tires after placement of new rack and pinion. No mention made of history of gm 1997 model rack and pinion similar problems though history of same found over internet.
While driving steering became tight; then, failed repeatedly. Made left turn and steering locked up and froze. Could not turn steering wheel. Please add VIN.
While driving approximately 10 MPH in a parking lot heard a noise coming from vehicle, and the steering wheel locked up suddenly, preventing consumer from controlling direction of vehicle. Steering wheel would lock up and release intermittently. Dealership informed consumer that rack and pinion steering broke. Please provide any additional information / attachments.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Steering: rack and pinion
- What is wrong
- 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. These and some other retainers used in vehicles assembled between january 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997, 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 january 24, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, pontiac at 1‑800‑762‑2737, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537.
Recall number 02V286000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1997 Chevrolet Venture steering lock-up
Is steering wheel locks up a common problem on the 1997 Chevrolet Venture?
17 of 431 owner complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Venture (4%) mention steering wheel locks up. The model year with the most reports is 1997.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Chevrolet Venture?
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 Venture
Headlights 55Overheating 21ABS 15Wipers 15Door locks 14Stalling 13Engine failure 12Power steering loss 11Loss of power 9Grinding brakes 8Transmission failure 8Fire or smoke 7Tire blowout 7Seat belt 6Fuel pump 5
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