Tl* the contact owns a 1996 oldsmobile cutlass supreme. While driving approximately 5 MPH and turning the steering wheel, the contact heard a popping sound. The contact stated the sound was heard anytime a turn was made. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated there was a recall the federal safety agency campaign id number: 03v527000 (steering: rack and pinion) but the vehicle was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.
Oldsmobile Cutlass steering noise problems
10 of the 1,326 owner complaints about the Oldsmobile Cutlass describe clunking or noise when steering, most of them for the 1998 model year.
- owner complaints
- 10
- worst model year
- 1998
- typical mileage
- 64,430
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 19984
- 19972
- 19961
- 19951
- 19921
- 19911
Often reported together
Grinding brakes 5Sudden acceleration 1Power steering loss 1Loss of power 1Ball joint 1
What owners say
Loss of power steering, grinding noise, leaking fluid.
Steering making noise after both power steering pump and steering rack began leaking fluid. Dealership has replaced power steering pump (4 times) and power steering rack (4 times), but grinding noise persists. Dealership has been very accommodating and has assigned three different technicians in an attempt to solve this problem. After reading other complaints on this site, I now understand why dealership has been unable to fix this problem after repeated attempts. I am now concerned about my safety while driving the vehicle. I am also concerned if the problem can ever be fixed.
A week after I bought the car used in october 2002 there was noise from front left end of vehicle....there is another noise that comes from the steering when turning the wheels trying to park the car.....I took the car back to the dealer and they said they don't hear anything...also I had the car checked out the same day for the brakes...there was a squealing noise on the front left side and the car wouldn't brake properly...the dealer replaced the left brake pad..I haven't had any trouble with the brakes since...three weeks later I took the car back to the dealer for the steering noises and they said it would be costly for the labor to find out the problem and that it may not be covered by warranty...they said since it's only minor and is not causing any problems it would probably be better to keep driving it until something went wrong to where they would know where the problem was coming from....a couple months later..in march 2003, the engine coolant light came on continuously and the car was leaking engine coolant....after checking the car out, I had the water pump replaced....it has been a week now since I've had the water pump replaced and the engine coolant light hasn't came back on and the engine coolant hasn't leaked out yet..but now, when I turn the air conditioner on it, it goes out by itself and comes back on a couple minutes later...I haven't had the car checked out for that yet but this car is adding up to a headache and I haven't had it for 6 months yet..right now it's only at an estimated of 42,500 miles driven on it.....
While driving the vehicles the steering wheel makes noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on september 9, 2002 and replace steering column seals, on september 18, 2002 problem recurred. Happened again on january 8, 2003. The steering experienced many other failures and the dealer replaced the rack and pinion. *nlm
Suspension making a squeaking loud sueaking noise from left fron end. (lower control arms replaced. ** vehicle front end suspension continues to have problems). Steering problem generated noises from left front end which I mistook for suspension failure. (tape kit added to front stabilizer bar). Brakes noises during the act of braking. (calibers grabbing pad making a clacking sound-stop squeal added to back of pads ** brakes continue to make noises). Left and right hub cap assemply both failed-currently part on order for righ hub cap assembly). ** vehicle front suspension rough and unrealiable causing continues problems with vehicle.
Cruise control set at 65 MPH suddenly accelerated to 80 MPH on flat ground. When making a left turn the steering wheel locks steering stays stiff and hard to turn most time at low speeds. Noise and whistle comes from steering. Low pitch rattle, clink, squeak noise coming from front of vehicle during low speed. Slow and hard starting,intermittent misfire. Trim over rt. And left rear doors is buckling. Discovered black elec. Tape holding body frame at doors together (paint chip of tape) after using the heater when I turn the engine off there is a bubbling noise which comes from under the front of the car.
Vehicles steering wheel column makes a popping noise when on bumpy roads and making turns. Tt
The rack and pinion steering unit was replaced two times . Tt the rack and pinion steering unit made growling, knocking,tapping vibrations. The dealer replaced the entire steering unit with updated design.
Steering gear replaced due to roaring noise.
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 Oldsmobile Cutlass steering noise
Which Oldsmobile Cutlass years have clunking or noise when steering problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1998 (4 complaints), 1997 (2 complaints) and 1991 (1 complaints).
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