Vechile recently started making groaning noise when steering and from power steering pump. Power steering pump was replace back in 2011. Took to goodyear and tech indicated pump was fine, problem point to the rack and pinion.
1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass steering problems
20 complaints (21% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 82,752. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 20
- of this car's complaints
- 21%
- typical mileage
- 82,752
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Rack and pinion12
- Hydraulic power assist system4
- Rack and pinion: rack1
- Hydraulic power assist: pump1
- Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1
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+
Oldsmobile Cutlass steering problems in other years
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 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
Power rack and pinion steering failure
The lower pinion bearing in the rack and pinion steering assembly may fail.gm will recall 1997-98 grand prix built between 1-mar-96 and 31-oct-97; and 1996-98 u-vans/j-cars built between 1-jan-96 and 31-oct-97.see attached summary.
EA02003
Steering rack and pinion
Odi has received 200 complaints fromt consumers and 1,238 from gm alleging failure or lockup of the steering rack and pinion unit (r&p).this alleged condition can result in the loss of steering control of the vehicle and a crash can result.gm has reported six crashes in which eight people have sustained injuries ranging from bruises, airbag burn, seat belt abrasion, facial injury, neck and back pain.all crashes were single vehicle crashes.gm states that one possible failure mode is failure of the lower pinion bearing in the r&p.an engineering analysis has been opened to determine if a safety defect trend exists.
PE01038
What 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
We bought the car in 2010 from a used car dealer. Upon 6 months of driving we noticed a steering problem that was hard to the left and just didn't seem right. The engine also had overheating and gasket problems so we had the engine replaced. Upon test driving the vehicle the mechanic was driving and the power steer had a complete failure and ran him towards oncoming traffic and then back another direction. Upon return to the shop he concluded the entire rack was broken and needed replaced. At the time in 2011 we were not aware that gm recalled the lower pinion bearing in the power steering rack in 2003 so we had paid for a new rack and pinion to be replaced. There evidently was leftover debris in the rack in pinion from the original part failure and now has ruined the 2nd rack and pinion. My complaint is that in 2004 our car is listed as a car that was affected and had been serviced in 2004 in georgia. The only thing replaced was a tiny snap ring, in which the detailed repair pdf states in multiple incidences that it is up to the mechanic to decide how much failure has taken place what to do and that any misteps will lead to other part failures!! We bought this car w/ very low mileage so at the point they say they fixed the car and when it broke was approx. 30,000 miles. They either did not fix correctly or they did not touch the car at all because the very description to what happened to our car was exactly what is listed as the failure of the part. We would like the original part failure that is now shredded into hundreds of pieces causing future rack and pinion failures to be flushed clean and honestly should replaced the entire rack because they never fixed the part originally or they didn't fix it correctly and the original part failed exactly as stated on the recall to the point the mechanic almost wrecked our car.
I bought a 1997 cutlass supreme from gabriel jordan of henderson texas. There is a recall on a piece of equipment. In their words: "corrective summary: 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." they have absolutely refused to replace this equipment even though it is faulty. They claim their parts are not on the vehicle. They have given me a quote of $1,300 to replace it.
Groaning noise coming from steering column/gear when steering wheel is turned.
Dealership was unable to perform the steering gear bearing recall 03v527000 because they did not have the tools.
While driving steering jerked uncontrollably. Consumer was not able to maintain control of the vehicle, and it collided with another vehicle. No injuries reported. However, consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer. For inspection, but mechanic could not duplicate the problem.
While driving at 20 MPH, the front wheels buckled and the vehicle fell to the ground. The steering locked up. The vehicle was taken to the dealer in march 2004 for a rack and pinion replacement. The consumer was wondering why this incident happened. *ak the consumer was approaching a rail road track, then all of a sudden the steering wheel would not turn and the vehicle had taken off to the right. The consumer was not able to control the vehicle. The vehicle was not fixed or the dealer placed the wrong part on the vehicle. The lower pinion bearing was replaced. *sc
The dealership refused to honor the steering gear bearings recall 03v527000. After the dealership inspected the steering rack, they indicated that it was an after market productand it didn't look like the correct part for the vehicle. Also, the dealership stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. *ak *sc
Dealership stated they would replace the steering rack if needed to fix the steering problem, they changed their minds.
After dealership performed steering gear bearings recall 03v527000 repairs front end was out of alignment. The steering wheel was off center, and the right tire faced outwards. Dealership wanted to charge $80.00 to align the vehicle although the alignment was fine before the recall was done.
Questions about the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass steering
Does the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass have steering problems?
Owners have filed 20 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 21% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 82,752 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 03V527000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Oldsmobile Cutlass have bad steering?
The Oldsmobile Cutlass model years with the most steering complaints are 1998 (21 complaints), 1997 (20 complaints) and 1991 (17 complaints).
Other 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass problems
Brakes 25Electrical 15Engine 15Suspension 8Lights 7Transmission 7Visibility 7Airbags 6Fuel system 5Acceleration 3Body 2Seat belts 2Tires 2Wheels 2Seats 1
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