| NHTSA Campaign Number: |
03V527000 |
| Vehicle/Equipment Make: |
BUICK |
| Vehicle/Equipment Model: |
REGAL |
| Model Year: |
1998 |
| Manufacturer Campaign Number: |
3062 |
| Manufacturer Component Description: |
STEERING:RACK AND PINION |
| Manufacturers Involved in Recall: |
GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| Manufacturered: |
19970401 - 19971031 |
| Type of Report: |
V (Vehicle, Equipment or Tire) |
| Potential Number of Units Affected: |
750283 |
| Date Owner Notified By Manufacturer: |
20040205 |
| Recall Initiated By: |
20040205 |
| Manufacturer Responsible For Recall: |
GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| Report Received Date: |
20031211 |
| Record Creation Date: |
20031218 |
| Regulation Part Number: |
|
| Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number: |
|
| Defect Summary: |
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. |
| Consequence Summary: |
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. |
| 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. |
