1996-1998 BUICK REGAL STEERING:RACK AND PINION

1996-1998 BUICK REGAL STEERING:RACK AND PINION (Change Vehicle)

The following STEERING:RACK AND PINION recall/defect on 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL vehicles was reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety administration on 2003-12-11. For more information contact the National Highway Traffic Safety administration or the US Department of Transportation. See recall summary below.

Build Years/Makes/Models:	1997 - 1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU 1997 - 1998 CHEVROLET LUMINA 1997 - 1998 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 1996 - 1998 BUICK REGAL 1996 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 1996 - 1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME 1997 - 1998 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE
UNits affected:	750283
Recall Number:	03V527000
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:	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.
Notes:	GM RECALL NO. 03062.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION¬S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
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