Frame, where steering rack bolts to, rusted out. Steering rack became separated from the frame causing a dangerous steering condition. Frame needs to be replaced at a very high cost.
1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass steering problems
21 complaints (14% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 118,000.
- owner complaints
- 21
- of this car's complaints
- 14%
- typical mileage
- 118,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Rack and pinion7
- Rack and pinion: rack2
- Hydraulic power assist system2
- Steering wheel/handle bar1
- Hydraulic power assist: pump1
- Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1
- 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+
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
What 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile cutlass. The contact stated that the steering wheel would tighten when making right and left turns. He received a recall letter pertaining to the steering rack and pinion, which stated that the lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly were not crimped properly. This is where the retainer tabs were located. The failure could allow the ball bearings to escape. The dealer repaired the vehicle according to the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v527000 (steering:rack and pinion); however, the contact felt no change in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer a second time for repairs, but the failures still persisted. In addition, the contact heard a loud continuous banging noise coming from the steering column. The failure mileage was 66,051 and current mileage was less than 125,096.
Total failure of steering system. Mechanical lock up. Steering wheel could not be turned by hand. Problem occurred at low speed close to home. The steering rack bracket separated from the frame. Gm complaint # 1-399 751 487 march 18,2006.
Recall on 1998 olds cutlass- I was not notified of such recall on steering: rack and pinion. I am paying out of pocket for this repair and am getting a run around from oldsmobile. My car is being serviced at a non-gm facility. Oldsmobile is very inconsistant and unreliable, especially when it comes to safety and customer service. I will never buy a gm vehicle, and recommend that my friends/family not buy one either. Gm is not customer oriented and this is very dissappointing.
I currently have the following problems with my 1998 olds cutlass gl. My power steering is stiff and makes a "wailing" noise. My coolent system has a leak. My heat and air have completey stopped working. I have had problems (in the past that have been repaired_ with my power window locking up (drivers side). The sound system shorted out. The cd player quit working. I have replaced my wiper blades several times and they still do not clear the windshield completely. One time when my teens were using my car, they were on the interstate and the car went completely dead...not only were they terrified, it was a very dangerous situation for them to be in.
After the new lower bearings were replaced the gear assembly failed. The dealership was refusing to replace the gear assembly as indicated in the steering gear bearing recall 03v527000.
Dealership is refusing to comply with steering bearing recall 03v527000. The gear assembly is leaking, but the dealership is refusing to replace it under the recall.
Steering wheel unexpectedly locked. Consumer stated steering wheel would not turn to the left. *ak power steering pump, pulley and pressure hose were replaced. Also, noise on front end of vehicle, dealer replaced both lower control arm and performed alignment.
While driving it was hard for consumer to turn the steering wheel left/right. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Recall 03v527000 subject:steering gear bearings. Consumer contacted the dealer, who informed consumer that the machine installing the new parts broke, and recall repairs could not be done until the machine was fixed.
Questions about the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass steering
Does the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass have steering problems?
Owners have filed 21 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 14% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 118,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1998 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 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass problems
Brakes 41Engine 32Suspension 18Electrical 16Airbags 9Visibility 9Body 8Tires 7Fuel system 6Lights 6Seat belts 5Transmission 4Seats 3Acceleration 2Locks 1
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