NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
27 reportsClear category filter55,541 miles · Sep 25, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment Adaptive/mobilityPower Train
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY IMPALA LT 3.9 WITH 55,000 MILES JUST HAD TO PUT WATER PUMP 2BY PASS HOSE AND BOTTOM HOSE BILL CAME TO AROUND $470. THIS CAR HAS BEEN BABIED EVER SINCE NEW AND WITH TOP NOTCH SERVICE PERFORMED REGULARLY. BESIDES THIS PROBLEM THE TIRE AIR SENSORS ARE ALSO A JOKE REPLACED TWO OF THEM AT AROUND $70.00 EACH. STIL…
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I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY IMPALA LT 3.9 WITH 55,000 MILES JUST HAD TO PUT WATER PUMP 2BY PASS HOSE AND BOTTOM HOSE BILL CAME TO AROUND $470. THIS CAR HAS BEEN BABIED EVER SINCE NEW AND WITH TOP NOTCH SERVICE PERFORMED REGULARLY. BESIDES THIS PROBLEM THE TIRE AIR SENSORS ARE ALSO A JOKE REPLACED TWO OF THEM AT AROUND $70.00 EACH. STILL DON'T WORK PROPERLY. WHILE I'M ON ROLL I SHOULD MENTION THE REMOTE START, UNLOCK, SYSTEM IS ALSO A JOKE, TOOK IT TO A DEALER TOLD THEM IT WOULD NOT WORK ANYTHING, THEY CAME BACK TO ME TWO HOURS LATER AND SAID THE MODULE IN DRIVERS DOOR WAS BAD, TWO REMOTES ,MODULE, CALIBRATION AND $917.00 AND THEY WOULD HAVE ME ON MY WAY. HA HA. TOLD THEM TO PUT IT BACK TOGETHER AND I WAS PAYING MY 80.00 FOR THE TIME SPENT AND LEAVING. AS I WAS GOING TO MY CAR THE SERVICE REP. SAID WHEN THEY PUT IT BACK TOGETHER IT BEGAN WORKING, EVERYTHING BUT TIRE PRESSURE INFO. I HAVE READ OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REMOTE PROBLEMS JUST WONDERED HOW COMMON THIS PROBLEM IS. ALSO I CANNOT BELIEVE MY WATER PUMP WENT BAD @55,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10357468
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train
2006 CHEVY IMPALA SEEMS TO HAVE HOT HEAT NEAR THE PASSENGER FRONT BY WERE YOUR FEET REST ,AND I HAVE ALREADY FIXED THE TRANSMISSION TWICE AND FOR SOME REASON IT IS AGAIN MAKING THIS REAL LOUD NOISE WHEN I TAKE IT OFF OF PARK IT IS REALLY HARD TO MOVE IT IN TO PARK MODE AND WHEN IT DOES IT JERKS REALLY HARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10342518
58,000 miles · Apr 7, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
2006 IMPALA - DURING THE WINTER OF 2009 I HAD TO REV THE ENGINE FOR IT TO PUT OUT HEAT. DURING THE WINTER OF 2009 CAR OVERHEATS UNEXPECTEDLY AND NOW DURING THE SPRING 2010, CAR CONTINUES TO OVERHEAT UNEXPECTEDLY. TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHEN THE OVERHEATING FIRST STARTED. THE REPLACES ANTIFREEZE AND HOSES. IT HELP…
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2006 IMPALA - DURING THE WINTER OF 2009 I HAD TO REV THE ENGINE FOR IT TO PUT OUT HEAT. DURING THE WINTER OF 2009 CAR OVERHEATS UNEXPECTEDLY AND NOW DURING THE SPRING 2010, CAR CONTINUES TO OVERHEAT UNEXPECTEDLY. TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHEN THE OVERHEATING FIRST STARTED. THE REPLACES ANTIFREEZE AND HOSES. IT HELPED FOR A WHILE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10324162
44,000 miles · Mar 28, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
2006 CHEVY IMPALA CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. I CALLED GM TO NOTIFIY THEM, BUT THEY MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR IT TO BE INVESTIGATED. OUR INSURANCE COMPANY GAVE US A CHECK FOR THE CAR, BUT WE STILL HAD TO PAY OVER $2000 TO PAY OFF THE CAR. THE FIRE STARTED AFTER THE CAR LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY OUTSIDE WISCONSIN D…
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2006 CHEVY IMPALA CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. I CALLED GM TO NOTIFIY THEM, BUT THEY MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR IT TO BE INVESTIGATED. OUR INSURANCE COMPANY GAVE US A CHECK FOR THE CAR, BUT WE STILL HAD TO PAY OVER $2000 TO PAY OFF THE CAR. THE FIRE STARTED AFTER THE CAR LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY OUTSIDE WISCONSIN DELLS. THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE , AND ONLY TOOK 13 MINUTES TO COMPLETELY DESTROY THE CAR. AT THE TIME WE WERE THE ONLY ONES TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN, BUT THE MORE CHECKING AROUND THE MORE REPORTS I SEE. ME, MY HUSBAND, AND OUR TWO CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR WHEN THE FIRE STARTED. HOW MANY ENGINE FIRES DOES THERE HAVE TO BE BEFORE GM IS HELD RESPONSIBLE? *CN
NHTSA ODI #10322572
78,591 miles · Mar 26, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVEROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BOTH POWER STEERING AND ENGINE FAILURES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN REGARDS TO THE POWER STEERING. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE POWER STEERING RECALL BY REPLACING THE HOSE AND THE CLAMPS ON FEBRUARY 24…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVEROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BOTH POWER STEERING AND ENGINE FAILURES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN REGARDS TO THE POWER STEERING. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE POWER STEERING RECALL BY REPLACING THE HOSE AND THE CLAMPS ON FEBRUARY 24, 2010. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTICS TEST AND THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THE ENGINE OVERHEATED BECAUSE THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 78,591.
NHTSA ODI #10322399
18,000 miles · Aug 3, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION JUMPED FORWARD. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BUT THEY CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION JUMPED FORWARD. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BUT THEY CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000.
NHTSA ODI #10279256
Mileage unknown · May 19, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE A 2006 IMPALA WITH MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. THE MAIN PROBLEM IS THE HEATER OCCASIONALLY WILL NOT PRODUCE HEAT UNLESS YOU ARE REVVING ENGINE. PROBLEM IS THAT THE COOLING SYSTEM IS DESIGNED DEFECTIVELY SUCH THAT IT IS PRONE TO AIR POCKETS. IF AIR POCKET DEVELOPS, CHEVY HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN DETAILING A COMPLICATED PROCEDU…
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I HAVE A 2006 IMPALA WITH MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. THE MAIN PROBLEM IS THE HEATER OCCASIONALLY WILL NOT PRODUCE HEAT UNLESS YOU ARE REVVING ENGINE. PROBLEM IS THAT THE COOLING SYSTEM IS DESIGNED DEFECTIVELY SUCH THAT IT IS PRONE TO AIR POCKETS. IF AIR POCKET DEVELOPS, CHEVY HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN DETAILING A COMPLICATED PROCEDURE WHEREBY THE SYSTEM HAS TO BE DRAINED AND ANTIFREEZE THEN PUT BACK IN SYSTEM. IF A MECHANIC IS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS SERVICE BULLETIN, HE MAY TELL YOU ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH HEAD GASKET, INCORRECT ANTIFREEZE MIXTURE, ETC. THIS PROBLEM MAY REOCCUR EVERYTIME THE CLOSED SYSTEM IS OPENED IF NOT THEN CLOSED AS PER THE SERVICE BULLETIN INSTRUCTIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10269434
76,700 miles · Mar 4, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
I TOOK MY CAR TO THE SHOP THE OTHER DAY TO HAVE IT CHECKED BECAUSE IT STOPPED GETTING HOT AND I WAS PUTTING ANTIFREEZE IN IT ABOUT ONCE A WEEK. IT WOULD ONLY GET HOT IF I WAS PRESSING ON THE GAS OR WAS DRIVING. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS LEAKING FROM MY HEAD GASKET AND THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS OFTEN. THEY TOLD M…
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I TOOK MY CAR TO THE SHOP THE OTHER DAY TO HAVE IT CHECKED BECAUSE IT STOPPED GETTING HOT AND I WAS PUTTING ANTIFREEZE IN IT ABOUT ONCE A WEEK. IT WOULD ONLY GET HOT IF I WAS PRESSING ON THE GAS OR WAS DRIVING. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS LEAKING FROM MY HEAD GASKET AND THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS OFTEN. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A CHEVY DEALER AND THEY SHOULD FIX IT. IM GOING TO GO TO THE CHEVY DEALER AND SEE IF THEY WILL FIX IT OR NOT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10260645
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION; 1 QT EVERY 1500 MILES. IMPALA 2006 SS. 5.3L. DEALER CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258801
51,000 miles · Feb 11, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower TrainFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOR FAILURES WITH THE HEATER BLOWING COOL AIR, THE GEAR SHIFT CHANGING INCORRECTLY, AND THE TIRE MONITOR INDICATOR CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATING. ON JANUARY 30, 2008, THE CONTACT DROVE APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES. SHE THEN PULLED INTO T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOR FAILURES WITH THE HEATER BLOWING COOL AIR, THE GEAR SHIFT CHANGING INCORRECTLY, AND THE TIRE MONITOR INDICATOR CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATING. ON JANUARY 30, 2008, THE CONTACT DROVE APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES. SHE THEN PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, FOLLOWED BY FLAMES. SHE QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED AND CAUSED THE FLUID TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 51,000.
NHTSA ODI #10258309
NHTSA investigations
1PE09025 · Power Steering Fluid Leaks - Fires
Opened May 13, 2009 · Closed Oct 2, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) INITIATED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER OF 2006 TO ADDRESS A FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND/OR CLAMPS THAT COULD OCCUR WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED IN VEHICLES PRIMARILY OPERATED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES THAT EXPERIENCE EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES:ALASKA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN AND WYOMING.AT THE TIME THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE) WAS OPENED, ONLY 1 OF THE 33 COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) WAS FROM A STATE COVERED BY THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN.IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST SENT BY THE ODI, GM PROVIDED INFORMATION THAT INCLUDED 6 ALLEGED FIRES AND 1 ALLEGED MINOR CRASH POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT. ONE OF THE ALLEGED FIRES IS A DUPLICATE OF A REPORT RECEIVED BY ODI.OF THE FIRE INCIDENTS, 2 OF THE 6 ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AFTER THE REMEDY DETAILED IN THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM WAS PERFORMED.ONE OF THE VEHICLES WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT.IT IS UNDETERMINED WHETHER THE INCIDENTS WERE RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT OR WERE A BY PRODUCT OF THE REPAIR.OF THE OTHER FOUR ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS, 1 INCIDENT INVOLVED SMOKE ONLY AND NO VISIBLE FLAMES.BASED ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED, THE REMAINING 3 FIRE INCIDENTS WERE LOCALIZED EVENTS THAT PRIMARILY INVOLVED DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING COMPONENTS AND SURROUNDING WIRING.ALL 3 OF THESE VEHICLES WERE SUBSEQUENTLY REPAIRED.NONE OF THE ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNATTENDED.ODI IS AWARE OF 1 ADDITIONAL ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENT THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN GM'S INFORMATION REQUEST RESPONSE.BASED ON THE CONSUMER'S DESCRIPTION OF THE INCIDENT, THE FIRE WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED BY A FRIEND AND THE VEHICLE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REPAIRED AT A DEALERSHIP.IN TOTAL ODI IS AWARE OF 6 ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS WHERE THE CONSUMER ALLEGED FLAMES WERE VISIBLE.ALL OF THE ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ATTENDED. ODI IS AWARE 1 MINOR CRASH ALLEGED TO BE RELATED TO A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK.THE CONSUMER ALLEGED A MINOR CRASH OCCURRED AS THE CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO A DRIVEWAY AND HAD DIFFICULTY NEGOTIATING THE TURN DUE TO EXPERIENCING HIGH POWER STEERING EFFORTS AND STRUCK A SNOW BANK.IN A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 21, 2009, GM INFORMED ODI THAT A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM WILL COMMENCE IN DECEMBER OF 2009 FOR THE ENTIRE US. AS A REMEDY THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLES WITH V8 ENGINES AND THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE AND CLAMPS FOR VEHICLES WITH V6 ENGINES WILL BE REPLACED WITH UPGRADED COMPONENTS.BASED ON THE LOW FREQUENCIES AND MINOR SEVERITIES OF THE ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS AND CRASH,NO SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.GM'S EXPANDED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE FREE REPAIRS TO VEHICLES EXCLUDED FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMPAIGN.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) INITIATED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER OF 2006 TO ADDRESS A FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND/OR CLAMPS THAT COULD OCCUR WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED IN VEHICLES PRIMARILY OPERATED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES THAT EXPERIENCE EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES:ALASKA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN AND WYOMING.AT THE TIME THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE) WAS OPENED, ONLY 1 OF THE 33 COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) WAS FROM A STATE COVERED BY THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN.IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST SENT BY THE ODI, GM PROVIDED INFORMATION THAT INCLUDED 6 ALLEGED FIRES AND 1 ALLEGED MINOR CRASH POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT. ONE OF THE ALLEGED FIRES IS A DUPLICATE OF A REPORT RECEIVED BY ODI.OF THE FIRE INCIDENTS, 2 OF THE 6 ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AFTER THE REMEDY DETAILED IN THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM WAS PERFORMED.ONE OF THE VEHICLES WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT.IT IS UNDETERMINED WHETHER THE INCIDENTS WERE RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT OR WERE A BY PRODUCT OF THE REPAIR.OF THE OTHER FOUR ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS, 1 INCIDENT INVOLVED SMOKE ONLY AND NO VISIBLE FLAMES.BASED ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED, THE REMAINING 3 FIRE INCIDENTS WERE LOCALIZED EVENTS THAT PRIMARILY INVOLVED DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING COMPONENTS AND SURROUNDING WIRING.ALL 3 OF THESE VEHICLES WERE SUBSEQUENTLY REPAIRED.NONE OF THE ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNATTENDED.ODI IS AWARE OF 1 ADDITIONAL ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENT THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN GM'S INFORMATION REQUEST RESPONSE.BASED ON THE CONSUMER'S DESCRIPTION OF THE INCIDENT, THE FIRE WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED BY A FRIEND AND THE VEHICLE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REPAIRED AT A DEALERSHIP.IN TOTAL ODI IS AWARE OF 6 ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS WHERE THE CONSUMER ALLEGED FLAMES WERE VISIBLE.ALL OF THE ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ATTENDED. ODI IS AWARE 1 MINOR CRASH ALLEGED TO BE RELATED TO A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK.THE CONSUMER ALLEGED A MINOR CRASH OCCURRED AS THE CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO A DRIVEWAY AND HAD DIFFICULTY NEGOTIATING THE TURN DUE TO EXPERIENCING HIGH POWER STEERING EFFORTS AND STRUCK A SNOW BANK.IN A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 21, 2009, GM INFORMED ODI THAT A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM WILL COMMENCE IN DECEMBER OF 2009 FOR THE ENTIRE US. AS A REMEDY THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLES WITH V8 ENGINES AND THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE AND CLAMPS FOR VEHICLES WITH V6 ENGINES WILL BE REPLACED WITH UPGRADED COMPONENTS.BASED ON THE LOW FREQUENCIES AND MINOR SEVERITIES OF THE ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS AND CRASH,NO SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.GM'S EXPANDED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE FREE REPAIRS TO VEHICLES EXCLUDED FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMPAIGN.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) INITIATED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER OF 2006 TO ADDRESS A FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND/OR CLAMPS THAT COULD OCCUR WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED IN VEHICLES PRIMARILY OPERATED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES THAT EXPERIENCE EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES:ALASKA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN AND WYOMING.AT THE TIME THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE) WAS OPENED, ONLY 1 OF THE 33 COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) WAS FROM A STATE COVERED BY THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN.IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST SENT BY THE ODI, GM PROVIDED INFORMATION THAT INCLUDED 6 ALLEGED FIRES AND 1 ALLEGED MINOR CRASH POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT. ONE OF THE ALLEGED FIRES IS A DUPLICATE OF A REPORT RECEIVED BY ODI.OF THE FIRE INCIDENTS, 2 OF THE 6 ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AFTER THE REMEDY DETAILED IN THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM WAS PERFORMED.ONE OF THE VEHICLES WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT.IT IS UNDETERMINED WHETHER THE INCIDENTS WERE RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT OR WERE A BY PRODUCT OF THE REPAIR.OF THE OTHER FOUR ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS, 1 INCIDENT INVOLVED SMOKE ONLY AND NO VISIBLE FLAMES.BASED ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED, THE REMAINING 3 FIRE INCIDENTS WERE LOCALIZED EVENTS THAT PRIMARILY INVOLVED DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING COMPONENTS AND SURROUNDING WIRING.ALL 3 OF THESE VEHICLES WERE SUBSEQUENTLY REPAIRED.NONE OF THE ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNATTENDED.ODI IS AWARE OF 1 ADDITIONAL ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENT THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN GM'S INFORMATION REQUEST RESPONSE.BASED ON THE CONSUMER'S DESCRIPTION OF THE INCIDENT, THE FIRE WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED BY A FRIEND AND THE VEHICLE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REPAIRED AT A DEALERSHIP.IN TOTAL ODI IS AWARE OF 6 ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS WHERE THE CONSUMER ALLEGED FLAMES WERE VISIBLE.ALL OF THE ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ATTENDED. ODI IS AWARE 1 MINOR CRASH ALLEGED TO BE RELATED TO A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK.THE CONSUMER ALLEGED A MINOR CRASH OCCURRED AS THE CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO A DRIVEWAY AND HAD DIFFICULTY NEGOTIATING THE TURN DUE TO EXPERIENCING HIGH POWER STEERING EFFORTS AND STRUCK A SNOW BANK.IN A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 21, 2009, GM INFORMED ODI THAT A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM WILL COMMENCE IN DECEMBER OF 2009 FOR THE ENTIRE US. AS A REMEDY THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLES WITH V8 ENGINES AND THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE AND CLAMPS FOR VEHICLES WITH V6 ENGINES WILL BE REPLACED WITH UPGRADED COMPONENTS.BASED ON THE LOW FREQUENCIES AND MINOR SEVERITIES OF THE ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS AND CRASH,NO SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.GM'S EXPANDED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE FREE REPAIRS TO VEHICLES EXCLUDED FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMPAIGN.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) INITIATED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER OF 2006 TO ADDRESS A FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND/OR CLAMPS THAT COULD OCCUR WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED IN VEHICLES PRIMARILY OPERATED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES THAT EXPERIENCE EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES:ALASKA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN AND WYOMING.AT THE TIME THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE) WAS OPENED, ONLY 1 OF THE 33 COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) WAS FROM A STATE COVERED BY THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN.IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST SENT BY THE ODI, GM PROVIDED INFORMATION THAT INCLUDED 6 ALLEGED FIRES AND 1 ALLEGED MINOR CRASH POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT. ONE OF THE ALLEGED FIRES IS A DUPLICATE OF A REPORT RECEIVED BY ODI.OF THE FIRE INCIDENTS, 2 OF THE 6 ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AFTER THE REMEDY DETAILED IN THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM WAS PERFORMED.ONE OF THE VEHICLES WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT.IT IS UNDETERMINED WHETHER THE INCIDENTS WERE RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT OR WERE A BY PRODUCT OF THE REPAIR.OF THE OTHER FOUR ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS, 1 INCIDENT INVOLVED SMOKE ONLY AND NO VISIBLE FLAMES.BASED ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED, THE REMAINING 3 FIRE INCIDENTS WERE LOCALIZED EVENTS THAT PRIMARILY INVOLVED DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING COMPONENTS AND SURROUNDING WIRING.ALL 3 OF THESE VEHICLES WERE SUBSEQUENTLY REPAIRED.NONE OF THE ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNATTENDED.ODI IS AWARE OF 1 ADDITIONAL ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENT THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN GM'S INFORMATION REQUEST RESPONSE.BASED ON THE CONSUMER'S DESCRIPTION OF THE INCIDENT, THE FIRE WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED BY A FRIEND AND THE VEHICLE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REPAIRED AT A DEALERSHIP.IN TOTAL ODI IS AWARE OF 6 ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS WHERE THE CONSUMER ALLEGED FLAMES WERE VISIBLE.ALL OF THE ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ATTENDED. ODI IS AWARE 1 MINOR CRASH ALLEGED TO BE RELATED TO A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK.THE CONSUMER ALLEGED A MINOR CRASH OCCURRED AS THE CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO A DRIVEWAY AND HAD DIFFICULTY NEGOTIATING THE TURN DUE TO EXPERIENCING HIGH POWER STEERING EFFORTS AND STRUCK A SNOW BANK.IN A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 21, 2009, GM INFORMED ODI THAT A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM WILL COMMENCE IN DECEMBER OF 2009 FOR THE ENTIRE US. AS A REMEDY THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLES WITH V8 ENGINES AND THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE AND CLAMPS FOR VEHICLES WITH V6 ENGINES WILL BE REPLACED WITH UPGRADED COMPONENTS.BASED ON THE LOW FREQUENCIES AND MINOR SEVERITIES OF THE ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS AND CRASH,NO SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.GM'S EXPANDED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE FREE REPAIRS TO VEHICLES EXCLUDED FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMPAIGN.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
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