Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 2
Average Mileage:
21,513 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

1997 Chevrolet Cavalier steering problems

steering problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1997 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #36

Dec 282003

Cavalier

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1997 Chevrolet Cavalier with a steering column recall. Consumer states that they never received the first recall and by the time they received the second one their daughter had died in that vehicle due to an accident.

- New Hampton, NY, USA

problem #35

Oct 052007

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier. While attempting to make a left turn from a stop, the power steering failed. The power steering works when driving forward and making a right turn, but fails only when turning left. GMC stated that his vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 02V286000 (steering:rack and pinion). The vehicle is currently at a Chevrolet dealer awaiting repair. The current and failure mileages were 61,000. * updated 12/12/07 updated 12/12/07

- Newark, NY, USA

problem #34

Sep 082006

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles
: the contact stated the power steering was not working properly making the vehicle very difficult to steer. A NHTSA recall, # 02V286000 was performed on the vehicle concerning, the steering:rack and pinion however, the recall did not remedy the problem. The dealership would not offer a second repair under the recall.

- Norwalk, CA, USA

problem #33

Apr 242006

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 84,005 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

: the contact stated while turning at various speeds the power steering failed intermittently. The vehicle has not been seen by a mechanic. There is a NHTSA recall, # 02V286000, regarding the rack and pinion; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.

- Los Banos, CA, USA

problem #32

Jul 172005

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles
Rack and pinion steering failure. Car fails to steer left and almost causes a crash due to lack of being able to steer. Ability to steer to the right is fine. Making left hand turns now worries me when driving. During my commute I am constantly worried whether or not I can make a left-hand turn. This has almost caused three accidents. Why wasn't this recalled considering all the the problems with this listed with the NHTSA" plenty of GM models have had this problem. Why should consumers take the fall when it stems back to the manufacturer"

- Oley, PA, USA

problem #31

Mar 042005

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8 miles
Taking a left turn in a 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier, the steering wheel locked, causing the car to veer left without ability to correct until explicit force was applied. The incidents left the steering wheel with sluggish control and therefore unsafe for driving. The car was taken to the dealership which asked for 800$ for the repair of the steering wheel. Information about this defect in GM cars has been seen throughout the internet, and a complaint is more than necessary.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #30

Mar 012005

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Consumer received NHTSA recall campaign 02V286000 concerning rack and pinion steering. He took vehicle to dealer for service. Several days later, after replacing the defective component, he experienced the same problem. Power steering failed when making a right turn at various speeds.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #29

Sep 232004

Cavalier 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving, the steering wheel failed. The consumer lost control of the vehicle and struck a steel pole. Both frontal air bags did deploy. The passenger was injured and went to the hospital the next day. The insurance company had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the rack pinion needed replacement. The insurance company totaled the vehicle. Please fill in additional information.

- Morehead, KY, USA

problem #28

Sep 072004

Cavalier

  • miles
NHTSA recall campaign 02V186000; steering assembly; the owner took her vehicle in for the recall but was informed that other items were wrong. Those items were repaired several days before. It appears that their interest was not about the steering, in which they only replaced the lower pinion. The consumer questioned the repairs made to her vehicle along with the brake lights failing once the vehicle was returned to her. They are not claiming any further responsibility. Tire was hit with a nail creating an unbalanced tire.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #27

Apr 212004

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,150 miles
Consumer was driving through a parking lot and when turning into the driveway rack and pinion steering failed. Consumer turned the steering wheel, but the wheels outside the vehicle did not turn, resulting in a collision, and injuring the driver.

- Whiting, NJ, USA

problem #26

Mar 112003

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • 84,304 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Nar 3-11-03 the consumer received a recall notice from Chevrolet about the rack and pinion steering gear assembly. Upon arrival the consumer found repairs made on the vehicle that were included in the recall and is now asking to be reimbursed by Chevrolet.

- Prairie Du Rocher, IL, USA

problem #25

Sep 242003

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
Consumer noticed a popping noise while traveling 5-10 mph, vehicle steering wheel did a 360* turn while still traveling, and vehicle lost all steering. Dealer was contacted, and stated problem was due to steering rack in pinion failure.

- Auburn, AL, USA

problem #24

Feb 132003

Cavalier

  • miles
When my car first started acting up, the steering would kind of hang when turing to the left. I am not a mechanic so I thought it was the power steering going out. I changed the power steering pump which helped it some. About two days later my friend and I were going to school, while going around a curve to the left, the steering wheel hung again. I thought it would straighten back out but I was wrong. The steering wheel jerked to the right sending us off the road right into a tree at about 30 M\P\H. my friend suffered an injury to his hip and had to have surgery. My car was totaled because of severe damage to the front of the car. I never got the recall statement and have yet to. GM has now said they will not compinsate me or my friend for damages sustained.

- Collinwood, TN, USA

problem #23

Jul 202003

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles
Rack and pinion failure. While turning onto the interstate my 17 year olds 1997 Chevy Cavalier steering locked, makiing it impossible to turn the wheel to the left. Fortunately she only grazed the gaurd rail but this could have easily been a fatal failure.

- Harrison, OH, USA

problem #22

Apr 282003

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
The consumer's daughter seeked reimbursement for recall#02V286000. The consumer experienced a problem with turning the steering wheel, which was intermittent, and placed an axle on the vehicle, but found the problem was the rack and pinion. Mr scc

- Burgaw, NC, USA

problem #21

Apr 212003

(reported on)

Cavalier

  • miles
The vehicle was taken to the dealer for recall repair to the steering lower rack and pinion on 3/20/03. The consumer stated that the repaired part failed again.

- Columbia, PA, USA

problem #20

Feb 132003

Cavalier

  • miles
NHTSA 02-V-286-000. Consumer was informed by the dealer that the necessary parts to complete the recall was not available.

- Forest Park, IL, USA

problem #19

Jan 242003

Cavalier

  • miles
The power steering failed which caused consumer to lose control of the vehicle. Two weeks later consumer received a recall notice which described the same incident which had occurred.

- Breckenridge, TX, USA

problem #18

Dec 192002

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles
Vehicle accelerated on its own and vehicle flipped over causing injuries and total loss of vehicle.

- Garden City, NY, USA

problem #17

Nov 012002

Cavalier 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Defect recall campaign # 02V286000 steering: Gear: Rack and pinion. Noise and looseness in steering. Have not received recall notice from manufacturer.

- Hatboro, PA, USA

Read the next 16 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?