NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
135 reportsClear category filter125,000 miles · Oct 20, 2013
Steering
I WAS GETTING OFF THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN I JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN FEEL A SHAKING COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL I NOTICED THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WAS ON SO I PULLED OVER THAT'S WHEN IT SHUT DOWN ON ME. I THEN GOT THE WHEEL HUBS AND BALL JOINTS CHANGED BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE PROBLEM BUT IT WAS NOT SO MY MECHANIC RESET THE…
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I WAS GETTING OFF THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN I JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN FEEL A SHAKING COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL I NOTICED THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WAS ON SO I PULLED OVER THAT'S WHEN IT SHUT DOWN ON ME. I THEN GOT THE WHEEL HUBS AND BALL JOINTS CHANGED BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE PROBLEM BUT IT WAS NOT SO MY MECHANIC RESET THE VEHICLE WENT OFF FOR A DAY THEN CAME BACK ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10548586
58,000 miles · Aug 12, 2013
Steering
SOMETIME IN JANUARY OF 2012, I RECEIVED A NOTICED FROM GENERAL MOTORS ABOUT REPAIRING AND REPLACING THE POWER STEERING HOSES OF MY 2006 CHEVY IMPALA. I TOOK MY IMPALA FOR REPAIRS AT A LOCAL CHEVY DEALER IN APRIL 2012. *TR PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE NOTICED ABOUT THE REPAIRS FROM GENERAL MOTORS, I KEPT HEARING A BUZZING SOUND. TH…
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SOMETIME IN JANUARY OF 2012, I RECEIVED A NOTICED FROM GENERAL MOTORS ABOUT REPAIRING AND REPLACING THE POWER STEERING HOSES OF MY 2006 CHEVY IMPALA. I TOOK MY IMPALA FOR REPAIRS AT A LOCAL CHEVY DEALER IN APRIL 2012. *TR PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE NOTICED ABOUT THE REPAIRS FROM GENERAL MOTORS, I KEPT HEARING A BUZZING SOUND. THE BUZZING SOUND STOPPED WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR STEERING HOSE REPAIRS AS SUGGESTED BY GENERAL MOTORS. ABOUT TWO DAYS AGO, I STARTED TO HEAR THE SAME BUZZING SOUND. I CALLED THE DEALER TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER WHICH MADE THE REPAIRS LIED TO ME ABOUT MAKING THE REPAIRS IN NOVEMBER 2009. CHEVY STATED THEY WOULD NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10534972
32,000 miles · Aug 7, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IT MADE A CLANKING SOUND. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN PARK AND WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT PARK GEAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHO STATED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE AND …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IT MADE A CLANKING SOUND. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN PARK AND WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT PARK GEAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHO STATED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
NHTSA ODI #10534041
140,000 miles · Jun 27, 2013
Steering
MY HUSBAND AND ME WERE ON OUR WAY HOME FROM A FUNERAL, WHEN WERE ABOUT TO TURN INTO OUR SUBDIVISION THE STEERING WHEEL BARELY TURNED AND IS NOW MAKING A HIDEOUS NOISE. WHEN I CALLED ONE OF OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND ADVISED THEM WHAT HAPPENED, MUCH TO MY SURPRISE THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ME $100.00 DOLLARS FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST.…
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MY HUSBAND AND ME WERE ON OUR WAY HOME FROM A FUNERAL, WHEN WERE ABOUT TO TURN INTO OUR SUBDIVISION THE STEERING WHEEL BARELY TURNED AND IS NOW MAKING A HIDEOUS NOISE. WHEN I CALLED ONE OF OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND ADVISED THEM WHAT HAPPENED, MUCH TO MY SURPRISE THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ME $100.00 DOLLARS FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. WHEN I GAVE HER MY VIN NUMBER SHE STATED THAT IT WAS NOT LISTED AS ONE OF THE VEHICLES THAT HAD A RECALL. I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY DETERMINE WHICH CARS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE CONSIDERED A RECALL, BUT I DO KNOW IT HAS THE SAME ISSUE AS THOSE RECALLED. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR FAILED PRODUCT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522050
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingPower Train
2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. SHE EXPLAINED TO THE DEALER, THERE WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. EACH TIME, THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER, SHE WAS INFORMED THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM, AND THEREFORE N…
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2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. SHE EXPLAINED TO THE DEALER, THERE WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. EACH TIME, THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER, SHE WAS INFORMED THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM, AND THEREFORE NO PROBLEM EXISTED. BESIDES THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, THERE WAS A HORRIBLE RATCHETING MACHINE-GUN TYPE NOISE COMING FROM BEHIND THE DASH, WHEN SHE CHANGED THE VENT POSITION. THE LOUD NOISE LASTED FOR ABOUT A MINUTE AND WAS ALMOST EAR-PIERCING. ALSO, THE ENGINE MOUNT BROKE, THE WATER PUMP, STEERING AND TIE RODS FAILED, THE ENGINE BURNED EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL, AND THE ENGINE LOW OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE WINDOWS MADE A SCREECHING SOUND, THE SUNROOF WOULD DRAG, THE PLASTIC HEADLIGHT COVERED WERE FOGGED AND FADED. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ON. ON APRIL 24, 2013. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP TO HAVE THEM ASSESS THE SAME TRANSMISSION SLIPPING PROBLEM, SHE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING FOR SEVEN YEARS. THEY DROPPED THE TRANSMISSION PAN, AND THEY FOUND FINE METAL, PIECES OF ALUMINUM AND CLUTCH MATERIAL IN THE PAN.
NHTSA ODI #10513180
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2013
Steering
I DID NOT HAVE A ACCIDENT HAD THE RECALL FIXED BY GWANTNEY CHEV., IN JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS IN JUNE 2011 AND DECEMBER 2012 THE VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM POWER STEERING COOLING LINE. MESSED UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10494798
85,000 miles · Dec 14, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering
MY 2006 CHEVY IMPALA HAS THUMP NOISE IN THE STEERING ANY TIME I TURN AND SOUNDS LIKE IT GONNA FALL APART ITS A HAZARD TO BE ON THE ROAD. AND THE HEATER CLICKS WONT WORK RESULTING IN THE WINDSHIELD BEING FOGGED WHEN IM DRIVING THAT'S A HAZARD ALSO. I CALLED CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE DID THEY HELP NO TAKE YOUR VEHICLE TO THE DEALER P…
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MY 2006 CHEVY IMPALA HAS THUMP NOISE IN THE STEERING ANY TIME I TURN AND SOUNDS LIKE IT GONNA FALL APART ITS A HAZARD TO BE ON THE ROAD. AND THE HEATER CLICKS WONT WORK RESULTING IN THE WINDSHIELD BEING FOGGED WHEN IM DRIVING THAT'S A HAZARD ALSO. I CALLED CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE DID THEY HELP NO TAKE YOUR VEHICLE TO THE DEALER PAY $ 100.00 MAYBE YOU WILL GET IT FIXED FREE! HAHA FORGET IT IM SELLING THE CAR ITS EASIER THAT'S MY STORY IM VERY DISSATISFIED IN CHEVY. AND ANY OF THIS HAPPENS AT ANYTIME OF THE SPEED 0-75 MPH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10488769
81,000 miles · Jun 27, 2012
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO A PARKING SPACE THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 15 AND 20 MPH WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO A PARKING SPACE THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 15 AND 20 MPH WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE STEERING RACK AND INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
NHTSA ODI #10463263
95,000 miles · Feb 12, 2012
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringWheels
SERVICE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON AND FRONT WHEEL GRABS WHILE VEHICLE IS MOVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10447548
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2011
Steering
MY 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH 37000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER HAS HAD A CRACKING NOISE IN THE STEERING LIKE YOU WOULD GET IF THERE WAS A LOOSE CONNECTION IN THE STEERING MECHANISM. IT IS NOTICED MORE AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS THEN AT FAST SPEED. IT IS ALSO QUITE NOTICEABLE IF YOU ARE JUST CREEPING ALONG AND TAPPING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THI…
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MY 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH 37000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER HAS HAD A CRACKING NOISE IN THE STEERING LIKE YOU WOULD GET IF THERE WAS A LOOSE CONNECTION IN THE STEERING MECHANISM. IT IS NOTICED MORE AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS THEN AT FAST SPEED. IT IS ALSO QUITE NOTICEABLE IF YOU ARE JUST CREEPING ALONG AND TAPPING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS SITUATION HAS BEEN PRESENT FOR THE LAST NINE MONTHS. I HAVE NOT HAD A DEALER LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN A ACCIDENT DURING THIS TIME NOR HAS THERE BEEN AN INJURY DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. AFTER READING OTHER REPORTS CONCERNING THE 2006 IMPALA STEERING. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT RECALL SHOULD BE IN ORDER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10441559
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.