1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE Steering Problems

VEHICLE CAN NO LONGER TURN TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. I DON'T THINK RECALL 03052 WAS EVER DONE ON IT. CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE IT'S UNSAFE FOR ME AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC.

MY CAR WOULD MAKE NOISE AND RATTLE ALSO STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT , HAD TO REPLACE RACK AND PINION. THE 2 ND THING IS THAT MY CAR WOULD SHUT OFF ANY WHERE ANY TIME AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. NOW I FIND OUT THERE WERE RECALLS ON BOTH THESE THINGS WHICH I NEVER KNEW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL, EXCEPT FOR THE REAR SEAT BELTS. NOW , I, MY FAMILY OR NUMEROUS PEOPLE ON THE ROAD COULD HAVE GOTTEN KILLED WHEN MY CAR SHUT OFF. I FIND OUT THAT GM KNEW ABOUT THESE THINGS AND NEVER TOLD ME? THAT MAKES ME VERY ANGRY AND I DON'T APPRECIATE ALL THE MONEY THAT FIXING THESE THINGS COST ME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

MY SON TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT BUT THE CAR KEPT GOING STRAIGHT. INSPECTION SHOWS NO LEAKS OR BREAKS ANYWHERE IN THE COLUMN... IT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE STEERING "BOX" IDENTICAL TO PROBLEM DESCRIBED HERE: HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/AUTOS/OLDSMOBILE/INTRIGUE/RECALLS/000020836000202679000000008/RECALL.ASPX GM WAS CONTACTED AND CLAIMS THAT THE VIN NUMBER HAS NO OPEN RECALLS. *TR

A FEW MONTHS AGO I WAS BACKING UP AND MY STEERING WAS VERY HARD TO TURN TO THE LEFT. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A SERVICE STATION AND THEY TOLD ME THE RIVETS THAT HOLD THE ARM INSIDE THE RACK & PINION BROKE LOOSE AND THIS WAS THE REASON FOR THE HARD STEERING. REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW RACK AND PINION WHICH WAS VERY EXPENSIVE. I DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPAIR AT THE TIME. SINCE THEN THE STEERING HAS GOTTEN WORSE. I DID SOME INVESTIGATION ON GM'S RECALLS AND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE STEERING RACK & PINION 1. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V527000 (STEERING) 2. GM'S RECALL ID #64476 :STEERING: RACK AND PINION PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS RECALL IS VALID FOR MY CAR AND IF THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WILL HONOR THIS RECALL [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT...

KNEE JOSTLED KEY WHILE DRIVING WHICH TURNED IGNITION INTO OFF AND CAUSED ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS TO TURN OFF. WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY STOP CAR AND MANEUVER SAFELY. RESTARTED CAR ONCE STOPPED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHILE ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING RACK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V527000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,873.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 135,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE MANEUVER THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE STEERING RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V527000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION) BUT THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH OR HIGHER, THE VEHICLE WOULD START SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND MAKING A LOUD NOISE. SHE ALSO MENTIONED THAT WHILE DRIVING DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V527000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER STEERING FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER THAT THE RACKET PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. THE RACKET PINION STEERING WAS REPLACED AT LEAST FOUR TIMES BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTACE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HER TO CALL NHTSA AND FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

LOST STEERING TO THE LEFT. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A LOCAL SERVICE STATION FOR REPAIR. DIAGNOSIS WAS THE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY CAME LOOSE IN THE RETAINER TABS. COST TO FIX THIS WOULD BE $82500 SERVICE STATION ADVISED THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER RECALL ON THIS. BOTH MYSELF AND THE SERVICE STATION CALLED GM AND WAS TOLD MY VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I HAVE NOTICED ON YOUR WEBSITE THERE WAS MANY COMPLAINTS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR AND SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS DENIED OF ANY SUPPORT IS THERE ANY WAY TO FIGHT THIS WITH GM?

POWER STEERING AND RACK, BALL BEARINGS. *TR

RACK AND PINION HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES ON THIS 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE SO MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED ABOUT THIS CONCERN. HARD TO STEER LEFT. THE WHEELS EVEN LOCKED WHILE TRYING TO PARK IT. I HAVE PUT EXCESS MONEY INTO THIS CAR BECAUSE OF THE RACK AND PINION GOING BAD. *TR

FATHER IN LAW WENT INTO THE HOSPITAL AND ASKED US ( DAUGHTER AND SON IN -LAW) TO MOVE HIS CAR TO ARE HOUSE WHILE HE WAS GONE. I DROVE IT TO OUR HOUSE AND HAD A HARD TIME TURNING LEFT. I ASKED MY FATHER IN-LAW HOW LONG THIS HAD BEEN LIKE THIS AND HE SAID ABOUT 3 YEARS. I STARTED ASKING FRIENDS AND LOOKING ON THE INTERNET FOR SOME ADVICE ON WHY. I FOUND SEVERAL POSSIBLE CAUSES AND SOMEONE SUGGESTED THAT I CHECK FOR VEHICLE RECALLS. I FOUND ONE THAT FIT PERFECTLY, I CALLED THE OLDSMOBILE 800 NUMBER AND GAVE THE LADY THE CARS VIN # AND SHE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE CAR WAS LISTED THE VIN # WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT SHE SAID I COULD TAKE IT TO A GM DEALER AND THEY COULD INSPECT IT TO SEE IF IT FIT THE RECALL AND COULD BE ADDED...

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 5 MPH, THE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. SINCE THAT TIME, WHENEVER THE WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE LEFT, THE VEHICLE LIFTS UP. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V527000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION) FOR THE SAME SYMPTOMS SHE WAS EXPERIENCING WITH HER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 160,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SUDDENLY LOCK FOR 3-4 SECONDS AND THEN UNLOCK. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,537 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,536.

1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING GEAR LOWER PINION BEARING SEPARATION. *MR RECALL# EA02003. THE STEERING PROBLEMS DID NOT OCURR UNTIL THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHCILE IN FOR RECALL REPAIRS. WHEN THE CONSUMER HAD PICKED THE VEHCILE UP, SHE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS EXTREMELY STIFF AND RIGHT TURNS WERE DIFFICULT. *SC

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. THE STEERING GEAR PINION BEARING SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03062 DUE TO VIN. *AK THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING RACK HAD NOT POWER STEERING WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT. *NM

I HAVE PREVIOUSLY FILED ONE COMPLAINT IN REGARD TO THIS ISSUE WITH GM CORP. I OWN A 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, NOT ONE THAT WAS RECALLED, HOWEVER DUE TO THE UNSAFE, ERATIC, SPONTANIOUS STEERING OF THIS VEHICLE I FEEL THAT IT SHOULD BE FURTHER INVESTIGATED. THE PROBLEM WITH IT IS THAT WHEN I TURN MY STEERING WHEEL TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER ALL THE WAY, AT USUALLY A LOW SPEED, IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE STEERING SYSTEM TO "TURN BACK", EXCEPT SOMETIMES, IT LASHES BACK AROUND CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO GO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, WHILE TURNED THE OTHER WAY, THE WHEEL JUST WILL NOT STAY AT THAT SPOT, IT COMES BACK AROUND...AND HARD! IF IT DOES NOT EXIBIT EITHER OF THESE TWO SIGNS, THEN IT MAKES A HORRIBLE SOUND AND IS VERY HARD TO TURN. AT NORMAL SPEEDS (ON ROADWAYS, ETC) IT IS OKAY, HOWEVER AT SLOW SPEEDS...

I BOUGHT MY OLDS INTRIGUE NEW IN JUNE 1998. IN JAN., 1999 I COMPLAINED ABOUT STEERING NOISE AND THE DEALER (STOHLMAN, ALEXANDRIA VA) SAYS IT TIGHTENED A PLASTIC PART. IT CONTINUED, AND, FINALLY, IN JUNE 1999 THEY REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY. THAT DIDN'T CURE THE PROBLEM, AND WHEN I AGAIN BROUGHT IT IN MARCH 15, 2000, THEY CLAIMED THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE LIVED WITH IT EVER SINCE, AND THE CAR HAS ONLY 40,000 MILES. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN CONCERNED IT'S DANGEROUS. I'VE RECENTLY DISCOVERED THE FORUM DISCUSSIONS ON THE EDMUNDS WEB SITE, AND I FIND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT GM DENIED FOR YEARS BUT NOW APPARENTLY ADMITS. IT MAY BE A FAULTY RACK IN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. THERE IS NO MORE OLDS. CAN YOU HELP? IS THIS A RECALL ITEM? *JB

THIS CAR HAS HAD MANY SMALL PROBLEMS. MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN THE AIR CONDITIONING. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT AT 78000. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS IN THE STEERING. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WEARS OUT AFTER ABOUT 20,000 MILES. I AM ABOUT TO HAVE THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE FIRST WAS TAKEN CARE OF BY THE WARRANTY. THE SECOND CAME OUT OF MY POCKET AND NOW I AM ABOUT TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN.

WHILE DRIVING IT WOULD BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT. RECALL03V52700 WAS ISSUED. MECHANIC WOULD NOT REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.*AK

1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, STEERING FAILURE WHICH CAUSED CAR TO VEER OFF THE ROADWAY INTO A LIGHT POLE CAUSING VEHICLE TO SPIN. THE CAR IS TOTALED.

LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT LOW SPEEDS. FIRST TRIP TO DEALER WAS TOLD THIS IS NORMAL. AFTER NEAR CRASH RETURNED TO DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED STEERING. AFTER ABOUT ONE YEAR THE PROBLEM RETURNED AND IS AGAIN A SAFETY HAZARD. PARTICULARLY BAD ON SLOW SPEED LEFT TURNS AND MOST ESPECIALLY WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD.*AK

A CLUNKY NOISE ORIGINATING IN THE FRONT END OF MY 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE REQUIRED A $150 STEERING COLUMN LUBRICATION TO REPAIR. THIS PROBLEM IS DETAILED IN TWO TSB'S ON NHSTA'S WEB SITE: #051101 AND 010232001B. I CONSIDER THIS CHARGE OUTRAGEOUS BASED ON THE FACT THAT IN THE NEARLY 50 YEARS I'VE OWNED CARS, I'VE NEVER HEARD OF A STEERING COLUMN REQUIRING LUBRICATION. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT IN EITHER A DESIGN OR A MANUFACTURING PROCESS THAT GM IS MAKING ITS CUSTOMERS PAY FOR OVER AND OVER RATHER THAN CORRECTING. *LA

WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS STEERING WHEEL HAS A LOT OF PLAY IN IT. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL . *AK

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THERE WAS A FUNNY FEELING LIKE A TAPPING IN THE STEERING SHAFT. THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT THIS COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS CURRENTLY AN INVESTIGATION EA-019 ON THIS ISSUE. *NLM

1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE STEERING BINDS WHEN TURNING.

TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS THE LEFT AND STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOST IT'S STEERING POWER. *NLM

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. UNABLE TO TURN WHEEL, ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CONTACTED DEALER. MR

IF DRIVING AT 45MPH VEHICLE WILL HEAVILY VIBRATE, ALSO STEERING COLUMN WILL MAKE A POPPING NOISE WHILE TURNING. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING SHAFT HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE, DUE TO A POPPING NOISE, THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOPW STICKS.*JB

CONSUMER STATES THERE ARE STEERING PROBLEMS THAT THE DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT, CONSUMER IS WORRIED THAT HE MAY LOSE COMPLETE CONTROL OF STEERING IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT RESOLVED SOON. *SLC

THE STEERING GEAR WAS LOOSE AND FAILED TWICE. YH

STEERING WHEEL SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. YH

INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT FAILED, REPLACED AND IS FAILING AGAIN CAUSING NOISE AND VIBRATION. *MJS

WHEN MAKING A TURN, YOU CAN FEEL A QUIVER IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL AND HEAR GRINDING. WHEN RELEASING BRAKE, IT MAKES NOISE. STEERING SEEMS TIGHT, HAD CAR IN FOR REPAIRS NUMEROUS TIMES TO NO AVAIL.

THE STEERING ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES ALREADY. IT IS FAULTY AGAIN AT 17444 MILES. THE CAR FEELS UNSAFE. THERE IS A CLUNKING FEELING FELT AT THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK

WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL THERE IS A NOISE IN THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR.

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE STEERING HAD A "CLUCKING NOISE" AND THEN THE STEERING MOVED FREELY. THEN, AFTER A MINUTE OR TWO, IT RESUMED ITS STEERING. BEEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER REPLACED RACK AND STEERING GEAR. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS AND VIN #. *AK

POPPING SOUND AND FEEL THROUGH STEERING COLUMN AND STEERING WHEEL. PRESENT WHEN MAKING TURNS, BRAKING, AND ACCELERATING AT LOW SPEEDS. GRADUALLY GETS WORSE WITH TIME.