NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Engineering Analysis EA87-006: POWER ST. ASSIST
- Closed
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened Engineering Analysis EA87-006 on December 16, 1986 and closed it on September 19, 1988. NHTSA's investigations file lists 13 models from 5 makes for it.
Updated daily from NHTSA's investigations file
Key facts
- NHTSA number
- EA87-006 (also written EA87006)
- Investigation type
- Engineering Analysis A more detailed stage of a defect investigation, opened when NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation decides an issue merits further review, often after a Preliminary Evaluation or a Recall Query; it can include vehicle testing, surveys and further information requests.
- Status
- Closed September 19, 1988
- Opened
- Closed
- Vehicle or equipment manufacturer
- General Motors, LLC
- Component
- Steering
- Vehicles and equipment
- 13 models from 5 makes, including the Buick Skyhawk and Buick Skylark
A recall appears here only when NHTSA's investigations file links one to the investigation; NHTSA's summary or record can name others.
NHTSA's summary
As NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation wrote it for Engineering Analysis EA87-006.
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER:GM HAS DEVELOPED A SPLITRING FIELD REPAIR KIT AND IS EXTENDING THE WARRANRY ON ALL 1982-84 A,J, AND X, BODY CARS AND 1985 C,BODY CARS.THE WARRANTY APPLIES TO CARSTHAT ARE FOR 50,000 MILES OR 5 YRS.IT INCLUDES REIMBURSEMENT FOR PREVIOUSREPAIRS.ANALYSIS:WEARING OF THE RACK AND PINION HOUSING AND LOW AMBIENT TEMPCAN CAUSE TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER ASSIST.TEFLON O RINGS FAIL TO SEALOFF INTERNAL PRESSURE.STATUS:EVALUATING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFER BY GM.======
Vehicles and equipment listed for this investigation
NHTSA's investigations file lists these vehicles and equipment for Engineering Analysis EA87-006. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. Model years with a try.vin recall page link to that page's NHTSA investigations section.
Buick
Buick Century
Buick Skyhawk
- 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986
Buick Skylark
Cadillac
Cadillac Cimarron
- 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986
Chevrolet
Chevrolet Cavalier
Chevrolet Celebrity
- 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986
Chevrolet Citation
- 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985
Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile Ciera
Oldsmobile Firenza
- 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986
Oldsmobile Omega
- 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984
Pontiac
Pontiac 2000
- 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986
Pontiac 6000
- 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986
Pontiac Phoenix
- 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984
What an NHTSA investigation is
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) looks into possible safety defects in vehicles and equipment, often after owner complaints. An investigation usually starts as a Preliminary Evaluation, or as a Recall Query when it concerns whether an existing recall covers the right vehicles or fixes the problem, and ODI can upgrade it to a more detailed Engineering Analysis. A Defect Petition asks NHTSA to open an investigation, and Audit and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations into whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules.
An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
To see whether a specific vehicle has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Free VIN check: decode a VIN to see its year, make and model.
Sources
NHTSA's investigation record for EA87-006
Investigation details come from NHTSA's investigations file, which try.vin imports once a day. The investigation types are described from the U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General's May 2023 report on NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation, NHTSA's petition rules (49 CFR Parts 552 and 557) and NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation procedures. How try.vin reads NHTSA investigations.