39 complaint narratives mention steering terms.
190 owner complaints analyzed
15 distinct recall campaigns
79,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1982 to 1992 model years. Data updated: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
39 of 190 complaints match this topic (20.5%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
STEERING GEAR RACK FAILURE,CAUSING STEERING DIFFICULTY. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488200 at NHTSA ↗
SUB-FRAME SEPARATED FROM BODY DUE TO RUSTY WASHERS HOLDING BOLTS IN PLACE, CAUSING STEERING LINKAGE TO SEPARATE/LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 490592 at NHTSA ↗
STEERING STICKS, POWER ASSIST IS REDUCED TO MANUAL MODE AFTER MOMENTARY JAMMING. ALMOST LEAVES THE ROAD BEFOR RECOVERY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 713787 at NHTSA ↗
DURING BRAKE APPLICATION STEERING LOCKS UP WHEN MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 967328 at NHTSA ↗
EMAIL CONSUMER LETTER REGARDING GM POWER STEERING RECALL.*MR 1985 EUROSPORT WAGON DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WHERE POWER STEERING WAS LOST WHILE MAKING LEFT TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS.*MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10055880 at NHTSA ↗
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
190 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 16.7% | 39.1%ODI 482476EXCESSIVE EFFORT NEEDED TO TURN STEERING WHEEL AFTER COLD START. *SKD | 36.8% | 615.4% | 12.6% | 114.3%ODI 487802POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION SEAL FAILED, CAUSING ALL THE POWER STEERING FLUID TO LEAK OUT TWICE/BINDING. *SD | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 320.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 511.4%ODI 785750CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE RUNS BAD, ALSO SAID VEHICLE MAKES A LOT OF NOISE, POSSIBLE ENGINE NOISE. *SLC | 25.1%ODI 516953WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION THE ENGINE STOPED, WHEN STARTED AGAIN THE CAR JUMPED FORWARD, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. | 37.7% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 320.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 36.8%ODI 848569WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. PULLED VEHICLE OVER. ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL DUE TO A CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD. HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THE LIFTERS WERE MAKING NOISE. *AK | 37.7%ODI 960521MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE WORE OUT, CAUSING A JERKY MOTION WHEN CAR SLOWS DOWN. TT | 12.6% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 16.7% | 13.0% | 36.8% | 25.1%ODI 962515COMPUTER FAILURE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL/ACCELERATE. THIS IS THE SECOND COND COMPUTER. *AK | 25.1% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Steering | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 967328DURING BRAKE APPLICATION STEERING LOCKS UP WHEN MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS. TT | 213.3%ODI 10055880EMAIL CONSUMER LETTER REGARDING GM POWER STEERING RECALL.*MR 1985 EUROSPORT WAGON DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WHERE POWER STEERING WAS LOST WHILE MAKING LEFT TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS.*MR | 39.1% | 24.5% | 12.6%ODI 807253POWER STEERING FAILURE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL DUE TO MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION. PLEASE GIVE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 713787STEERING STICKS, POWER ASSIST IS REDUCED TO MANUAL MODE AFTER MOMENTARY JAMMING. ALMOST LEAVES THE ROAD BEFOR RECOVERY. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 26.1% | 511.4% | 12.6%ODI 960426STEERING IS DIFFICULT WHEN IT IS COLD. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 412.1%ODI 959841CAR STALLS WITH GAS IN THE VEHICLE, AND WHEN ON A HILL FACING DOWN, CAR WILL NOT START. TT | 12.3%ODI 958885VEHICLE STALLS OUT WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY AND MAKING SHARP TURNS. TT | 25.1%ODI 958288WIRING HARNESS TO THE IGNITION WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED, CAUSING CRANKSHAFT/IGNITION MODULE TO FAIL. *AK | 12.6%ODI 962432WHILE DRIVING, ON HWY AT APPROX. 55-60MPH, THEN UPON APPLICATION OF BRAKE, ENGINE STALLS WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 490592SUB-FRAME SEPARATED FROM BODY DUE TO RUSTY WASHERS HOLDING BOLTS IN PLACE, CAUSING STEERING LINKAGE TO SEPARATE/LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *DSH | 16.7%ODI 527369LOCATION OF CRUISE CONTROL CAUSED ACCIDENTAL ENGAGEMENT OF R/A SWITCH ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENT. | 26.1%ODI 825349FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT DUE TO THE LACK OF UNDERCOATING UNDER VEHICLE. OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY. *AK | 24.5%ODI 482230UNDER BODY FRAME MAKES LOUD NOISE UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT WHEN DRIVER SITS DOWN. *SKD | 12.6% | 12.6% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1991: 0 complaints · 1992: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1992 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Steering:Rack And Pinion | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Electrical System:Ignition:Module | Steering | Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | Electrical System:Ignition | Structure:Frame And Members |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | — | 1ODI 819883DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE ENGINE CRADLE FELL OFF. DUE TO THE DEFECT, CONSUMER LOST ALL POWER STEERING, WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER .THE REAR POINTS OF THE ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED OUT WHICH CAUSED THE WHOLE ENGINE ASSEMBLY TO FALL OUT, INCLUDING THE STEERING MECHANISM. DEALER WILL REPLACE MOUNTING BRACKETS, RACK PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY, ETC. AK | 0 | 2ODI 962659BATTERY CABLE MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING CIGARETTE LIGHTER/HORN/CLOCK TO FAIL. *AK | 1ODI 807253POWER STEERING FAILURE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL DUE TO MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION. PLEASE GIVE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1ODI 819883DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE ENGINE CRADLE FELL OFF. DUE TO THE DEFECT, CONSUMER LOST ALL POWER STEERING, WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER .THE REAR POINTS OF THE ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED OUT WHICH CAUSED THE WHOLE ENGINE ASSEMBLY TO FALL OUT, INCLUDING THE STEERING MECHANISM. DEALER WILL REPLACE MOUNTING BRACKETS, RACK PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY, ETC. AK | — | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 837946THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE CATALYITC CONVERTER ,AND THE VEHICLE IS STALLING. ALSO, HAS PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. *AK | 1ODI 818637ENGINE: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60MPH AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT , PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY, GOT OUT TO LOOK AND THE ENGINE HAD DROPPED ABOUT 2INCHES. THE CRADLE MOUNT BOLT THAT HOLDS ENGINE HAD RUSTED . *AK | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 2ODI 962659BATTERY CABLE MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING CIGARETTE LIGHTER/HORN/CLOCK TO FAIL. *AK | 0 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1ODI 807253POWER STEERING FAILURE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL DUE TO MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION. PLEASE GIVE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK | 1ODI 837946THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE CATALYITC CONVERTER ,AND THE VEHICLE IS STALLING. ALSO, HAS PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. *AK | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 865669WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET HEARD A NOISE, STEERING CAME LOOSE. PULLED INTO A SERVICE STATION, AND THE LOWER A FRAME ON THE LEFT FRONT WHICH IS BOLTED INTO THE CRADLE BROKE. MOUNT WHERE THE A FRAME BOLTS IN HAD CRACKED WHICH CAUSED THE A FRAME TO COME LOOSE AT THAT POINT. SINCE IT WAS NOT ATTACHED STEERING WAS NOT EFFECTIVE.*AK |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 0 | 1ODI 818637ENGINE: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60MPH AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT , PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY, GOT OUT TO LOOK AND THE ENGINE HAD DROPPED ABOUT 2INCHES. THE CRADLE MOUNT BOLT THAT HOLDS ENGINE HAD RUSTED . *AK | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 865669WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET HEARD A NOISE, STEERING CAME LOOSE. PULLED INTO A SERVICE STATION, AND THE LOWER A FRAME ON THE LEFT FRONT WHICH IS BOLTED INTO THE CRADLE BROKE. MOUNT WHERE THE A FRAME BOLTS IN HAD CRACKED WHICH CAUSED THE A FRAME TO COME LOOSE AT THAT POINT. SINCE IT WAS NOT ATTACHED STEERING WAS NOT EFFECTIVE.*AK | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
6 patterns with matching reports.
17 mentions · 8.9% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
DURING BRAKE APPLICATION STEERING LOCKS UP WHEN MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS. TT
EMAIL CONSUMER LETTER REGARDING GM POWER STEERING RECALL.*MR 1985 EUROSPORT WAGON DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WHERE POWER STEERING WAS LOST WHILE MAKING LEFT TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS.*MR
\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b10 mentions · 5.3% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE CATALYITC CONVERTER ,AND THE VEHICLE IS STALLING. ALSO, HAS PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. *AK
CAR STALLS WITH GAS IN THE VEHICLE, AND WHEN ON A HILL FACING DOWN, CAR WILL NOT START. TT
IGNITION COIL/DISTRIBUTOR MODULE FAILED, CAUSING STARTING PROBLEMS/STALLING. *AK
\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b5 mentions · 2.6% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
WHILE WAITING IN STOPPED TRAFFIC, HE CAR SUDDENLY TRIED TO LURCH FORWARD, THE IDLE BEGAN REVVING AS IF I WAS GOING EXTREMELY FAST AND I HAD TO PLACE ALL MY WEIGHT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO KEEP THE CAR FROM GOING FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. ONE PERIOD OF IT OCCURED EVERY DAY FROM 11/5/96 TO 11/30/96. ALSO AT TIMES THE ODORMETER HAS SUDDENLY STARTED CLICKING MILES VERY FAST. IN ONE MILE STRETCH 200 MILES WERE ADDED TO THE ODORMETER. THIS STOPPED AFTER COMPLETE STOP.
FOLLOWING REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR DRUMS, SHOES AND WHEEL CYLINDERS, ONLY MODERATE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE WILL CAUSE THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP AND SKID. IN WET CONDITIONS THE REAR END CAN FISHTAIL LEADING TO POTENTIAL DISASTER. PROBLEM WAS NEVER NOTICED IN PREVIOUS 9 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. THE FRONT DISC BRAKES APPEAR TO BE OPERATING AND THE PEDAL FEEL DOES NOT INDICATE AIR IN THE SYSTEM. THE GARAGE HAS LOOKED AT THE BRAKES ON TWO OCCASIONS AND MADE MINOR ADJUSTMENTS AND REPLACED THE SHOES ONCE (LESS THAN A YEAR), BUT COULD FIND NOTHING ELSE. P…
\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b3 mentions · 1.6% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
THE 86 CELEBRITY HAS DEFECTIVE ROTORS AND DRUMS. THE ROTORS DO NOT LAST MORE THAT A FEW THOUSAND MILE AND VEHICLE STARTS TO JERK WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE BRAKES SOMETIMES LOCK UP WITHOUT WARNING.
MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE WORE OUT, CAUSING A JERKY MOTION WHEN CAR SLOWS DOWN. TT
WHILE WAITING IN STOPPED TRAFFIC, HE CAR SUDDENLY TRIED TO LURCH FORWARD, THE IDLE BEGAN REVVING AS IF I WAS GOING EXTREMELY FAST AND I HAD TO PLACE ALL MY WEIGHT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO KEEP THE CAR FROM GOING FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. ONE PERIOD OF IT OCCURED EVERY DAY FROM 11/5/96 TO 11/30/96. ALSO AT TIMES THE ODORMETER HAS SUDDENLY STARTED CLICKING MILES VERY FAST. IN ONE MILE STRETCH 200 MILES WERE ADDED TO THE ODORMETER. THIS STOPPED AFTER COMPLETE STOP.
\b(hard shift\w*|rough shift\w*|delay\w* shift\w*|shift\w* hard|jerk\w*|lurch\w*)\b2 mentions · 1.1% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON VEHICLE OVERHEATED. CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN. *AK
\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b1 mentions · 0.5% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
PURCHASED A USE 1985 CHEV. CELEBRITY CLASSIC 10-16-2007 THAT ONLY HAD 46,722 MILES. IT HAD A STRONG GAS SMELL THAT WOULD NOT LET ME DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS. I DROVE THE CAR SHORT DISTANCE AND EVEN NOW ONLY HAVE 74, 912 MILES ON IT. I FEEL THE CAR CAME FROM THE FACTORY LIKE THIS BECAUSE AN OLD MAN THAT DIED HAD THE CAR. IT LOOKED LIKE NEW WHEN I PURCHASED IT. EVEN NOW IT DRIVE LIKE A NEW CAR. THE GAS IS LEAKING FROM SOME WHERE SO THE SMELL, LEAK AND COST OF GAS MAKE IT WHERE I CAN'T AFFORD TO DRIVE IT. RIGHT NO…
\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b