eBearing News - GM Will Recall 1.5 Million Vehicles for Pinion Bearing Problem

General Motors Corporation (USA) will recall over 1.5 million vehicles, including its fastest selling, due to a pinion bearing problem.

In the power rack and pinion steering gear, the lower pinion bearing can separate, allowing the pinion shaft to move improperly. This causes unpredictable loss of power assist in some circumstances and/or powerful, unwanted assist.

The NHTSA Campaign ID number is 02V286000, and the full text of the recall is available through the NHTSA web site at http://www.nhtsa.gov.

Vehicles involved in the recall:

Model years: 1996, 1997, 1998
Production dates: January 1, 1996 through October 31, 1997

Make and model:
Chevrolet Cavalier
Chevrolet Lumina
Chevrolet Venture
Oldsmobile Silhouette
Pontiac Sunfire
Pontiac Transport

Model years: 1997, 1998
Production dates: January 1, 1996 through October 31, 1997

Make and model:
Pontiac Grand Prix

General Motors indicated 1.2 million of the vehicles are located in the United States and 240,000 are located in Canada. The company said there have been 15 reported crashes due to the problem.

Owners will be notified of the recall in January 2003.

Text of the Recall Summary

Defect Summary:
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND 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.

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 EITHER 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 IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.