GM recalls about 824,000 cars in North America

General Motors (GM) said Monday it is recalling about 824,000 cars built from January 1996 through October 1997 to fix a possible power steering problem. The world’s largest automaker said models affected by the problem include the 1996 Buick Regal, the 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, the 1997-98 Oldsmobile Cutlass, Chevrolet Lumina, Monte Carlo, Malibu, and the 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue cars. Some 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix and Oldsmobile Cutlass Supremes and 1997-98 Buick Regal cars were also affected, GM said.

It said about 750,000 of the vehicles subject to the recall were in the United States while most of the rest were sold in Canada. In some of the vehicles a lower pinion bearing in the power steering gear may separate, causing the driver to experience an intermittent loss of power steering assist or unintended power assist, according to GM. It said there had been reports of eight injuries that may be related to the problem but no fatalities.