NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
9 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Nov 19, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY IMPALA AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERS SEVERAL TIMES. WE HAVE CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS, CHANGED AND FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. WE ARE STILL HAVING THE CAR JERK OFF AT A STOP LIGHT. WE YOU ARE STOPPED ON AN INCLINE IT ALSO HESITATES TO GO INTO GE…
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I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY IMPALA AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERS SEVERAL TIMES. WE HAVE CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS, CHANGED AND FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. WE ARE STILL HAVING THE CAR JERK OFF AT A STOP LIGHT. WE YOU ARE STOPPED ON AN INCLINE IT ALSO HESITATES TO GO INTO GEAR AND THE JERKS AWAY! THE DEALER CAN NEVER FIND A ANYTHING WRONG AND WE HAVE DONE ALL THE RECOMMENDED FIXES. THIS SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. THE GAS CAP AND SOLENOID HAVE ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED WHICH EVERYONE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH. GM SHOULD RECALL THESE CARS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10485220
57,058 miles · Aug 1, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
DISPLAYED ON PANEL "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" . ON STAR DIAGNOSED SERVICE CODE "P2138". ON 05/01/2012 WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A LARGE INTERSECTION MY ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED TO 3 OR MAYBE 5 MPH. I WAS TRYING TO GET THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WITHOUT THE ACCELERATION THAT WAS SO DESPERATELY NEEDED. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. IN …
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DISPLAYED ON PANEL "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" . ON STAR DIAGNOSED SERVICE CODE "P2138". ON 05/01/2012 WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A LARGE INTERSECTION MY ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED TO 3 OR MAYBE 5 MPH. I WAS TRYING TO GET THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WITHOUT THE ACCELERATION THAT WAS SO DESPERATELY NEEDED. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. IN ADDITION TO BEING CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT, I'M FEARFUL I WILL BE THE ONE CAUSING A FATAL PILE-UP. I HAVE BEEN TO THE CHEVY DEALER 4 TIMES AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10469783
98,000 miles · Feb 13, 2012
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE AND DECELERATED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTOR, THROTTLE BODY AND REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE AND DECELERATED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTOR, THROTTLE BODY AND REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10447805
5,000 miles · Jul 17, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE GAS CAPS OF 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALAS HAVE A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE GAS CAPS WHICH ALLOW FOR THE CAP TO FAIL AND THE EVAP SOLENOID TO FAIL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343743
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
40,000 miles · Sep 21, 2009
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability ControlFuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM ADHESIVE LAYER. THE VEHICLE HAS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM ADHESIVE LAYER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 12/07/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRIP COMPUTER, TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM, ABS, TRACTION CONTROL WERE ALL INOPERATIVE. ALSO ALL OF THE LIGHTS FLASH AT TIMES AND STAY ON. UPDATED 12/09/09
NHTSA ODI #10284747
72,000 miles · Apr 30, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE GAS PEDAL SENSOR FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER TO THE ENGINE. THE PART IS GM25830023. I HAVE HAD THIS TO A CHEVROLET DEALER TO HAVE FIXED, BUT THE PART IS UNAVAILABLE FROM GM. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE 2 OTHER IMPALAS W…
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I HAVE A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE GAS PEDAL SENSOR FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER TO THE ENGINE. THE PART IS GM25830023. I HAVE HAD THIS TO A CHEVROLET DEALER TO HAVE FIXED, BUT THE PART IS UNAVAILABLE FROM GM. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE 2 OTHER IMPALAS WAITING FOR THE PART AS WELL. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO USE MY CAR SINCE APRIL 14TH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10267375
12,100 miles · Jan 10, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline
MY COMPLAINT PROBABLY DOES NOT WARRANT A RECALL, BUT SHOULD BE HANDLED BY CONSUMER NOTIFICATION. MY 2006 CHEVY IMPALA HAS DEVELOPED A FUEL RELATED PROBLEM THAT CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ACTIVATE. THIS IS CAUSED BY THE USE OF E-85 FUEL. THE COMPUTER DETECTS HIGH ALCOHOL CONTENT IN THE FUEL. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO SOLVE …
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MY COMPLAINT PROBABLY DOES NOT WARRANT A RECALL, BUT SHOULD BE HANDLED BY CONSUMER NOTIFICATION. MY 2006 CHEVY IMPALA HAS DEVELOPED A FUEL RELATED PROBLEM THAT CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ACTIVATE. THIS IS CAUSED BY THE USE OF E-85 FUEL. THE COMPUTER DETECTS HIGH ALCOHOL CONTENT IN THE FUEL. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH BOTH A SOFTWARE UPDATE AND BY FLUSHING OUT THE E-85 FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM AND RESETTING THE COMPUTER. THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WAS LACK OF PROPER INSTRUCTION, FROM THE DEALER, IN THE USE OF E-85. I HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED THAT AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK WITH E-85, THE VEHICLE MUST BE DRIVEN A MINIMUM OF 11 MILES, BEFORE SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE. THIS GIVES THE SENSOR IN THE FUEL SYSTEM SUFFICIENT TIME TO ADJUST TO THE FUEL. THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS SWITCHED FROM CONVENTIONAL E-10 GAS, TO E-85. I WAS UNAWARE OF THIS PROCEDURE, UNTIL AFTER THE PROBLEM HAD OCCURRED. GM SHOULD NOTIFY ALL CONSUMERS WHO HAVE PURCHASED 2006 AND 2007 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FLEX-FUEL ENGINES OF THIS REQUIREMENT. AFTER THE PROBLEM OCCURS, THE DEALER NEEDS TO PERFORM THE RESET PROCEDURE FOR THE FUEL COMPUTER. THIS PROCEDURE REQUIRES APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS. IT IS NOT A SERIOUS DEFECT, BUT IT IS UNNECESSARY. THE DEALERS SHOULD INFORM CUSTOMERS, WHEN THE VEHICLES ARE DELIVERED, OF THIS PROCEDURE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10178344
9,000 miles · Aug 3, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AN OBJECT WAS DRAGGING UNDER THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THREE OF THE FOUR PLASTIC CLIPS THAT HELD ON THE HEAT SHIELD WERE MISSING. THE REPAIR SHOP MADE A TEMPORARY FIX WITH PLASTIC TIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED THE HEAT SHIELD AND FUEL TANK. *AK …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AN OBJECT WAS DRAGGING UNDER THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THREE OF THE FOUR PLASTIC CLIPS THAT HELD ON THE HEAT SHIELD WERE MISSING. THE REPAIR SHOP MADE A TEMPORARY FIX WITH PLASTIC TIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED THE HEAT SHIELD AND FUEL TANK. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10164393
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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