This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
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 NHTSA 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.
The caller bought a vehicle and found out about a recall before he got the vehicle. The recalled part was the steering rack bearing. He was told the repair was done. He says the vehicle was hard to turn when turning right. He will not let his wife drive the vehicle anymore because she could not turn the steering wheel. He thought the replacement part was faulty. Dealer said they might not do the work for free. Manufacturer said they would pay the repair costs, the first time he called, if it was the part in question. The second time they said they would not.
Steering rack broke. Driving down highway steering wheel can assume positions anywhere between 10 to 2 O'clock while still going straight. Steering action is not positive. At turns, more steering movement is needed and vehicle does not response as before. Found out there is a recall NHTSA #02V286000 for the steering rack lower pinion bearings that the dealer would replace the lower pinion bearing or replace the steering rack. We took the car in 5/28/05 for this recall and I believe the lower pinion bearing was replaced. Contacted Chevrolet customer service 1/17/05. Told to have car inspected by dealer. Lannan Chevrolet confirmed that damage is inside steering rack and it needs to be replaced. Talked with Chevrolet customer service 1/20/05, they decline responsibility for the current problem and said that it is due to "wear and tear". he blamed it on other things such as hydraulic hose leak. The hydraulic hose has been "wet" since the early days (1 or 2 years) after we purchased the car. The leak is not significant and the level has been checking every 1-2 week. We believe this current problem is a safety defect and the work done for the steering rack recall did not correct the underlining problem. Either there are additional steering rack defects or internal damage had already been done.
Loss of power steering led to the death of driver's infant daughter as stated by the consumer's lawyer. 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.
On September 4, 2004 consumer received a recall 02049 from the manufacturer concerning rack and pinion failure., prior to receiving the recall letter, consumer had already fixed the vehicle. Consumer called the manufacturer to obtain reimbursement, and they indicated they won't honor the recall.
- Hickory, NC, USA
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The campaign 02049 was completed on 30 April 2003 the dealer replaced the power steering bearing. The vehicle steering slowly became stiff and gave resistance in May 2004 when turning or making steering corrections. I took it to the dealer in June or July as it was getting worse. On the way to the dealer it required a lot of exertion to steer. The dealer informed me the rack and pinion failed and needed replaced. I asked about the recall to check the gear and if it would be covered under that recall. He stated no not related. After the repair the vehicle was behaving erratically on the road. Steering corrections were sloppy you had to move it left or right 3 or more inches to turn. I took it back to the dealer he had some adjustment done and the steering seemed fine. Only now a groaning clunk upon turns and acceleration. I waited a few days then a component fell from the underside onto my driveway. I took the vehicle back again and voiced my concerns over the component and the noise. The dealer said they could not duplicate the noise and that the component was no problem only a loose wire bracket. I asked to speak to the mechanic and drove around to show him the noise. He heard the noise and would be able to duplicate it. Next the service writer told me the strut brackets needed to be replaced. I requested the mechanic to inspect the struts for damage from the faulty strut brackets and let me know if they needed to be replaced. The service writer called and said the struts were in need of replacement. I had purchased lifetime replacement from Firestone so I had it put back together and I paid for the repairs and drove over to Firestone to have the struts replaced. The mechanic at Firestone said the struts were fine but replaced them anyway. The only abnormality the Firestone mechanic noted was that the strut springs were not properly seated. After the strut replacement the same noise was present. It is still being repaired. Not sure of the start original date).
When making a right hand turn power steering failed. As a result, vehicle was thrown into oncoming traffic. Dealer stated that rack and pinion malfunctioned. No impact was reported.
1997 Chevrolet Venture van replaced power steering pump and rack pinion steering, writer question if his vehicle is included with recalled campaign id number 02V286000..
Vehicle requires excessive force to steer to the right, followed by unintended power assist to steer to the left. This is after recall campaign number 02V286000 (02049) was accomplished on 03/19/03 @ 103819 miles.
I am the owner of a 1997 Venture Chevrolet van that I purchased in may of 1997. I have several concerns after reviewing your web site. First, I just charged on my credit card almost $2,000 (December 2003) to fix the rack and pinion steering and to replace the power steering pump. There was a recall in November 2002 that I was not notified for the rack and pinion. Second, I have just learned that there is a recall related to the power pump steering. It is not by chance that both of these items have malfunctioned on my vehicle. I have experienced the exertion on more pressure to make turns and this is some of the issues that are related to the recall. I can not give a specific date of the incidents when the issues first started but it is fair to say it started sometime in 2003. What procedures should I follow to get these charges taken off of my credit card? since I paid for or is charged to my credit card, I can not get the repairs free. If you would like to have a copy of bills - please let me know. Also, I had an issue with the leaking of break fluid in 2001. After viewing your web site it appears that this could have been caused by another defect. I do not think it is just by chance the three major repairs that I have paid for on my vehicle are recalls from your organization.
NHTSA recall 02-V-286-000 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. This recall failed. The dealer was notified.
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. Consumer stated that the warranty had expired. (06/26/02)
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Rockford, IL, USA