I am the owner of a 1999 Buick Regal ls. I have 70,000 miles on my car. In December I noticed problems making sharp turn to the right. I would be backing out of drive ways or making 3-point turns and I would hear and feet a clink like something it stuck and then pushes through with pressure. On February 3, 2006 I drove my car as usual and there was a very strong resistance to turn to the left. The steering wheel would not make left turns without lots of force and stepping off the brake. I lose power steering assist only making left turns, the right turn is just fine. I would hear a pop when I would force the turn. I had the problem checked out right away and was said to be a steering rack and pinion problem. I did some research and found out that my same model was recalled for the exact problem in 96' 97' and 98 models, but not the 1999. I contacted GM for them to take responsibility and pay for this, but they will not!!! I was forced to take it to a GM dealership in tampa, fl to get this fixed, as the car was unable and not safe to drive at all. They installed a new rack and pinion and a tie rod, costing $1,000 for the total work. I am upset with the fact GM is not taking responsibility for this problem when the same car 3 years before had the exact problem and I have found many many people with the same problem and the same year and model as my car and they had to pay for it themselves as well. I have a one year or 12,000 warranty on the rack and pinion and tie road. I had the work done on Friday, feburary 10, 2006.

- Tampa, FL, USA

Over several weeks time I noticed that when vehicle was sitting still right turn required greater effort to turn steering wheel, as though wheel was against curb. Then noticed that I could "shake" tires if grasped at 3 and 9 oclock also could hear a sligth "clunk" took car to dealer and was told rack and pinion was defective, with vehicle on rack mechanic pierced rubber boot on rack and pinion assembly and fluid ran out, also tie rod end was loose.

- Portland, OR, USA

When trying to make a right turn power steering failed, making it difficult for driver to turn the steering wheel. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced rack and pinion. Manufacturer has recalled some models for this problem, but didn't covered consumer's. in addition, steering failed when driver was making a right turn in a parking lot.

- Saginaw, MI, USA

When making a left turn at low speeds, the vehicle lost power steering. The consumer stated there was a recall regarding the steering issue, however the recall stopped at the 1998 models.

- Hamburg, NY, USA

In the waterloo courier of 9/23/03 it was reported that the federal government is investigating a possible steering defect in GM vehicles. The problem described involved difficulty in steering when making left turns. This happened to me and my daughter (who was driving my car at the time) on Saturday, September 13, in cedar falls, Iowa. We were able to drive the vehicle (1999 Buick Regal) back to waverly to jerry roling's dealership. On Monday, September 15, I was informed that the rack and pinion (sp?) had gone out and needed to be repaired. Because the GM dealership was going to charge approx. $400 more than my regular mechanic, I had the car transfered to garry's tire in waverly where the work was done. I picked up my car on Tuesday, September 16. I thought I should report this incident to you even though the 1999 Regal was not one of those listed in the article.

- Waverly, IA, USA

While making a left turn and without warning, the steering wheel locked up, the and vehicle would not turn at all. The driver drove the vehicle to dealership. The mechanic replaced the rack and pinion. (making left turns were very hard and stiff) the consumer avoided an accident by turning right. The rack and pinion was binding and was replaced.

- Dade City, FL, USA

Severe clunking noise under hood when turning wheel. After taking car to various mechanics, it was a unanimous consenus the rack & pinion needed replacement.

- Lansing, MI, USA

Clunking feel in steering as if loose component or excess freeplay somewhere. Original "rack" was replaced, and now 3000 miles later, the replacement rack is getting loose and causing the clunking. There's a service alert within General Motors # 98-12, but clearly they haven't solved it, since replacement units soon redevelop the problem. Issue aside from the annoyance of clunking in the steering gear, is "when is something going to fall off and cause lack of steering"" incidentally, my wife recently purchased a '98 olds intrigue, and they just replaced her steering rack. Wonder how long it will last" feel free to contact me for more details.

- Cary, NC, USA