NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
124 reportsClear category filter90,000 miles · Apr 18, 2016
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION, THE KEY FAILED TO EJECT FROM THE IGNITION. AS A RESULT, THE BATTERY DIED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMAT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION, THE KEY FAILED TO EJECT FROM THE IGNITION. AS A RESULT, THE BATTERY DIED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. UPDATED 06/14/16*LJ THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY, AFTER FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS FROM THE INTERNET. UPDATED 06/20/16.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10860018
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
ONGOING ISSUE WITH ERROR MESSAGE RELATING TO "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" APPEARED 4/10/2016. ONGOING HISTORY AND SERVICE RELATED TO THROTTLE POSITION AND SENSOR (ALSO SERVICED) CODES P2176; P 2135. 8/1/15 I HAVE ADDRESSED THROUGH REPLACING OF THROTTLE POSITION AND SENSOR; BATTERY CABLE (DEALERSHIP SVC DEPT…
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ONGOING ISSUE WITH ERROR MESSAGE RELATING TO "SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL" "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" APPEARED 4/10/2016. ONGOING HISTORY AND SERVICE RELATED TO THROTTLE POSITION AND SENSOR (ALSO SERVICED) CODES P2176; P 2135. 8/1/15 I HAVE ADDRESSED THROUGH REPLACING OF THROTTLE POSITION AND SENSOR; BATTERY CABLE (DEALERSHIP SVC DEPT SUGGESTED LOW VOLTAGE RELATED TO THIS ISSUE - RETESTED, ISSUE CONTINUES) PARTS STORE HAS SUGGESTED "THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL MODULE P 1516' CODES ALSO INCLUDE P0121, PO2135, P2119 FOUND PMC TO BE FAULTY -- "REPAIR AND REPLACED" 12/30/2014; THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY REPLACED ON APRIL 5, 2014. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR TWO YEARS. ENGINE POWER DROPS AND CAR WILL ONLY DRIVE AT A LOW SPEED < 40MPH. THIS IS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. VARIOUS ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. THIS ISSUE BEGAN AT APX 140K MILES AND HAS REOCCURRED AT 166L, 167K, 180K, 193K. SPEEDS THAT IT HAS OCCURRED HAS BEEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 60-65MPG TO RESIDENTIAL 25-35MPH. RECORDS HAVE SERVICES DATES ARE AVAILABLE; TOO MANY TO UPLOAD ALL.
NHTSA ODI #10855389
96,200 miles · Feb 11, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering
MY CAR WON'T SHIFT FROM THE PARK POSITION, I HAD TO LIFT UP CONSOLE COVER AND PUSH RELEASE BUTTON IN ORDER TO AVOID PAYING FOR A TOW. FOUND OUT IT WAS THE WIRED CONNECTOR OR MODULE OR POSSIBLY WIRES THAT MOVE WHEN YOU SHIFT GEARS.
NHTSA ODI #10825717
116,000 miles · Dec 13, 2015
Electrical SystemFire
REAR DEFROST STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I LOOKED INTO WHY, I FOUND THE LARGE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR THATS BEHIND THE FRONT PASSENGER KICK PANEL TO BE COMPLETELY BURNT. THE CONNECTIONS ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT RATED HIGH ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE AMPS NEEDED. WHEN I LOOKED ON LINE THERE IS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING. THIS C…
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REAR DEFROST STOPPED WORKING. WHEN I LOOKED INTO WHY, I FOUND THE LARGE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR THATS BEHIND THE FRONT PASSENGER KICK PANEL TO BE COMPLETELY BURNT. THE CONNECTIONS ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT RATED HIGH ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE AMPS NEEDED. WHEN I LOOKED ON LINE THERE IS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THING. THIS CIRCUIT IS ALSO NOT PROTECTED BY A FUSE. IT'S A MIRACLE THAT THIS DIDN'T BURN MY CAR TO THE GROUND. THIS IS A VERY LARGE PROBLEM WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF EFFECTED CARS. MINE WAS JUST A SMALL ELECTRICAL FIRE, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE.
NHTSA ODI #10809876
88,838 miles · Dec 10, 2015
Electrical SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,838. UPDATED 04/08/16*LJ; UPDATED 05/09/18*JB *CN
NHTSA ODI #10809567
93,000 miles · Nov 25, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS FLICKER, DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND PARKED. ALSO BATTERY DRAINS EVERY YEAR.
NHTSA ODI #10806648
128,236 miles · Aug 4, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System
AT START UP OF MY CAR THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG WOULD SAY SERVICE REQUIRED, BUT IT WOULD GO AWAY WHEN WE BUCKLED UP. WHEN IN A WEEK IT STARTED TO STAY ON. IT NO LONGER GOES AWAY. ALSO NOW Y WHEN I SHUT OFF MY CAR THE RADIO WILL STAY ON EVEN WHEN YOU OPEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND LOCK IT. I HAVE TO MANUALLY SHUT IT OFF.
NHTSA ODI #10746066
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine
HAD PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM DEALER IN ASHLAND VA BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2014. HAD NO CONCERNS ABOUT THE VEHICLE UNTIL FIRST TRIP NOT DRIVING VEHICLE FOR A WEEK AND UPON RETURN VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. HAD JUMPED STARTED VEHICLE AND GOT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHICH WAS ON FOR THREE DAYS THEN CUT OFF. IN FEBRUARY 2015 HAD NOT DRIVEN VEHICLE…
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HAD PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM DEALER IN ASHLAND VA BACK IN SEPTEMBER 2014. HAD NO CONCERNS ABOUT THE VEHICLE UNTIL FIRST TRIP NOT DRIVING VEHICLE FOR A WEEK AND UPON RETURN VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. HAD JUMPED STARTED VEHICLE AND GOT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHICH WAS ON FOR THREE DAYS THEN CUT OFF. IN FEBRUARY 2015 HAD NOT DRIVEN VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEK PERIOD AND UPON RETURN VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN. CHECKED BATTERY AND HAD REPLACED ALONG WITH CLEANING POSITIVE BATTERY POST FOR CORROSION. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON FOR TWO TO THREE DAYS THEN CUT OFF - CHECK CODE AT FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP SHOWED CODE P2135 - DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DETERMINE WHERE POSSIBLE POWER DRAINAGE COULD BE COMING FROM AND RECOMMENDED TO TAKE VEHICLE TO CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THEM TEST FOR POWER DRAINAGE. AS LONG AS THE VEHICLE IS STARTED/USED WITHOUT PROLONGED PERIOD OF INACTIVITY, VEHICLE OPERATION FOR THIS MODEL YEAR IS ACCEPTABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10723783
186,000 miles · Apr 21, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteeringCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN VERY LIGHT RAIN WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE FOUR TIMES SUCCESSIVELY. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE THEN SEEMED TO DROP TO THE GROUND CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT TO FL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN VERY LIGHT RAIN WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE FOUR TIMES SUCCESSIVELY. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE THEN SEEMED TO DROP TO THE GROUND CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT TO FLASH AND THE BRAKES TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED AND KNOCKED HER UNCONSCIOUS. THE VEHICLE THEN TRAVELED OFF THE ROADWAY, INTO A WOODY AREA AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT WAS AWOKEN BY THE SCREAMS OF HER SMALL CHILDREN, WHO WERE SITTING IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. TWO CHILD PASSENGERS WERE INJURED AND SUFFERED LACERATIONS TO THE FACE, CONTUSIONS OF THE SHOULDERS, FACE, HEAD INJURIES AND A CONCUSSION. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SPRAINED NECK, FRACTURED SPINE, AND A CONCUSSION, CLOTTING IN THE SKULL, A CHEST WALL CONTUSION AND LACERATIONS TO THE LEGS. ALL THREE PASSENGERS REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT AND ALL PASSENGERS WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT FURTHER INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE MOTOR HAD BOTH FALLEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE CRASH AND WERE STILL IN THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH ONE WEEK AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V355000 - ELECTRICAL) . THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.
NHTSA ODI #10711929
89,000 miles · Apr 7, 2015
Electrical System
IF CAR IS NOT STARTED DAILY. IT WILL DRAIN THE BATTERY AND REQUIRE A JUMP. FRIEND HAS SAME MAKE AND MODEL 2006 IMPALA LT. SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE INSTALLED NEW BATTERY EVERY YEAR FOR FOUR YEARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10704212
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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