Steering: hydraulic power assist system (Chevrolet and GMC)
Vehicle recall 86V-170. NHTSA received GENERAL MOTORS CORP.’s report on Dec 22, 1986.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s own record is on nhtsa.gov.
The short answer
NHTSA received GENERAL MOTORS CORP.’s report on Dec 22, 1986. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 28, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
The notice gives no hazard in a field of its own.
THE POWER STEERING ASSIST CYLINDER MOUNTING BRACKET BOLTS MAY LOOSEN DUE TO PAINT ON THE BOLT THREADS AND THE MOUNTING BRACKET MATING SURFACE.
CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THIS MAY RESULT IN LOOSENESS AND ERRATIC STEERING DURING FULL TURNS.
WITH CONTINUED OPERATION POWER CYLINDER COULD DETACH FROM THE FRAME RAIL RESULTING IN RESTRICTED STEERING, SEVERING OF FRONT BRAKE HOSE AND LOSS OF FRONT AXLE BRAKING.
WITH EITHER CONDITION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Steering: hydraulic power assist system.
What should you do?
REMOVE PAINT FROM MATING SURFACES OF BRACKET AND FRAME RAIL; REPLACE POWER STEERING ASSIST CYLINDER MOUNTING BOLTS.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: SYSTEM: POWER STEERING. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH POWER STEERING AND 12,000 LBS. FRONT AXLES.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 9,038 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- Chevrolet C70and 1985 and 1986, before the model years listed here
- GMC C7and 1985 and 1986, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by GENERAL MOTORS CORP..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 28, 2026 and checked Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 28, 2026.