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2006 Chevrolet Impala (Gmx 211)

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 17 of 20 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

6 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2006
Electrical System

I PURCHASED A 2006 IMPALA GT IN JANUARY. AROUND AUGUST 3, 2006, MY FOB KEY STOPPED WORKING. I CALLED THE DEALER AND SET AN APPOINTMENT FOR SAT. AUG 5. THEY FIXED MY KEY AND AS I WAS LEAVING AN EMPLOYEE INFORMED ME THAT SHE HAD TO GET HER KEY FIXED APPROX. 6 TIMES. MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 2006 AS I WAS WALKING TO MY CAR I TRIED TO UNLO…

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I PURCHASED A 2006 IMPALA GT IN JANUARY. AROUND AUGUST 3, 2006, MY FOB KEY STOPPED WORKING. I CALLED THE DEALER AND SET AN APPOINTMENT FOR SAT. AUG 5. THEY FIXED MY KEY AND AS I WAS LEAVING AN EMPLOYEE INFORMED ME THAT SHE HAD TO GET HER KEY FIXED APPROX. 6 TIMES. MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 2006 AS I WAS WALKING TO MY CAR I TRIED TO UNLOCK MY DOORS AND I COULDN'T; MY KEYS FAILED ONLY 2 DAYS AFTER HAVING IT FIXED. I CALLED THE DEALER TO SEE IF I COULD BRING IT IN. I WAS INFORMED I HAD TO MAKE AN APPT. I MADE ONE FOR SATURDAY BECAUSE THEY REFUSED TO LET ME BRING MY CAR IN AFTER I CAME HOME FROM WORK EVEN THOUGH THEY CLOSED AT 7:00 PM. I TOOK MY CAR IN SATURDAY AND A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP TRIED TO FIX IT HIMSELF. HE COULDN'T, SO THEY TOOK IT TO THE BACK. AS I AM WAITING FOR MY CAR, A MAN BOUGHT IN HIS CHEVY COBALT FOR THE SAME REASON, HIS KEYS WOULD NOT WORK. ONCE MY CAR WAS READY THE REP GAVE ME A RECEIPT AND TOLD ME THAT THEY USUALLY DIDN'T FIX KEYS ON THE WEEKENDS...I HAD THEM FIXED THE WEEK BEFORE AND NO ONE SAID ANYTHING, PLUS I HAD AN APPOINTMENT.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10165393

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2006
Electrical SystemEquipmentSeat Belts

THE 2006 IMPALA SINCE THE DAY WE PURCHASED IT HAS A HIGH PITCH EAR PIERCING LOUD NOISE THAT COMES MAINLY FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE SPEAKER AND LAST ABOUT 23 MINUTES. TURNING THE DIRECTIONAL ON EITHER WAY WILL MAKE THE NOISE CUT OFF. OUR VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES NOW AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO REMEDY OR KNOW WHAT IT IS??? …

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THE 2006 IMPALA SINCE THE DAY WE PURCHASED IT HAS A HIGH PITCH EAR PIERCING LOUD NOISE THAT COMES MAINLY FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE SPEAKER AND LAST ABOUT 23 MINUTES. TURNING THE DIRECTIONAL ON EITHER WAY WILL MAKE THE NOISE CUT OFF. OUR VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES NOW AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO REMEDY OR KNOW WHAT IT IS??? WE HAVE ASKED SINCE DAY ONE FOR GM TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL ITEMS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON OUR NEW VEHICLE AND WE FEEL WE HAVE A "LEMON". GM REFUSES TO ANSWER US AND DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT KIT HAS BEEN REPLACED AND UPDATED SOFTWARE TO THE RADIO AS WELL. THERE IS RUST UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AS WELL. ALL THESE ISSUES WERE SEEN BY US AND THE SERVICE DEPT 2 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. WE NEED HELP!!!!! WE FEEL THE SOUND WE ARE HEARING IS SOME TYPE OF ELECTRICAL WARNING OR DEFECT. THE TURN SIGNAL BEING CONNECTED TO THE PROBLEM INDICATES SUCH. WE HAVE THE NOISE ON TAPE AND GOT A GM SERVICE SUPERVISOR TO WITNESS THE TECHNICAL ISSUE HAPPENING (6-10-06), THE VEHICLE THEN WENT IN FOR THE 5 TIME AND THEY REPLACED THE AMPLIFIER. THE NOISE CAME BACK THE NEXT DAY 6-18-06, THAT WE DROVE IT. IT HAS BEEN IN 5 TIMES NOW SINCE THE DAY WE BOUGHT IT 4-15-06 AND WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10160144

5,547 miles · May 10, 2006
Electrical System

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON THREE OCCASIONS WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A STOP THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FAILED TO READ. THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEARS AND THE ENGINE STALLED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WOULD START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT AND THE FUSE BOX PANEL …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON THREE OCCASIONS WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A STOP THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FAILED TO READ. THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEARS AND THE ENGINE STALLED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WOULD START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT AND THE FUSE BOX PANEL WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT THE FUSE BOX CONNECTORS WERE TIGHTENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AFTER THE THIRD INCIDENT AND WAS AWAITING INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10157192

382 miles · Jan 3, 2006
Electrical System

REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT CAME ON, THEN CAR STOPPED. I WAS NOT FAR FROM HOME ON THE FIRST FAILURE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND A BAD GROUND WIRE AND REPLACED IT. THE SECOND FAILURE , THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STOPPED. I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE THIS TIME AND WAS TOWED. THEY FOUND A BRAKE SW…

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REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT CAME ON, THEN CAR STOPPED. I WAS NOT FAR FROM HOME ON THE FIRST FAILURE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND A BAD GROUND WIRE AND REPLACED IT. THE SECOND FAILURE , THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STOPPED. I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE THIS TIME AND WAS TOWED. THEY FOUND A BRAKE SWITCH SHORTED AND WIRE SHORTED TO THE BCM THIS OCCURRED ON 10-12-05. NOW WHEN THE WIPERS ARE ON HIGH THE CAR ROCKS FROM FRONT TO BACK ! *NM

NHTSA ODI #10146803

2,000 miles · Dec 27, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWICE. AFTER THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY REPLACED A RELAY SWITCH. THE SECOND TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE ENGINE STALLE…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWICE. AFTER THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY REPLACED A RELAY SWITCH. THE SECOND TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS INDICATED THE ENGINE DROPPED TO THREE CYLINDERS. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WAS GOING INTO LIMP MOD DUE TO COMPUTER AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10146138

6,500 miles · Dec 26, 2005
Electrical SystemTires

TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM FAILED KEY FOBS BECAME INOPERATIVE INCLUDING REMOTE START, ISSUES ARE RELATED GM HAS PLACED TSB. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10146061

Official recalls

1

06V215000 · Seats

Jun 15, 2006

CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A MANUAL PASSENGER SEAT ADJUSTER FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE LEFT FLOOR MOUNTING BRACKET MAY BE MISLOCATED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN A SEVERE VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT ADJUSTER MAY SEPARATE FROM THE MOUNTING BRACKET, INCREASING THE RISK OF OCCUPANT INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT ADJUSTER AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL ON JULY 2, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE09025 · 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.