NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
25 reportsClear category filter180,000 miles · Feb 2, 2020
Structure
THE BACK DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE WHEN YOU PULL THE HANDLE FROM THE OUTSIDE IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE THERE'S ANYTHING CATCHING ON THE INSIDE IT'S JUST LOOSE, IT'S THE SAME WAY FROM THE INSIDE ALSO. I WENT TO THE STORE WHEN I LEFT MY HOUSE I PUT MY DAUGHTER IN HER CAR SEAT ON THAT SIDE THE DOOR OP…
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THE BACK DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE WHEN YOU PULL THE HANDLE FROM THE OUTSIDE IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE THERE'S ANYTHING CATCHING ON THE INSIDE IT'S JUST LOOSE, IT'S THE SAME WAY FROM THE INSIDE ALSO. I WENT TO THE STORE WHEN I LEFT MY HOUSE I PUT MY DAUGHTER IN HER CAR SEAT ON THAT SIDE THE DOOR OPEN FINE IT SHUT AND LATCHED FINE WHEN I GOT TO THE STORE AND GOT OUT TO GET MY DAUGHTER OUT OF HER CAR SEAT THE DOOR JUST WOULD NOT OPEN IT'S LIKE IT'S LOCKED BUT IT'S NOT LOCKED YOU CAN MOVE THE MECHANICAL LOCK UP AND DOWN FROM THE INSIDE , AND YOU CAN ALSO HIT THE LOCK AND UNLOCK WITH THE KEY FOB AND IT DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THE DOOR JUST WILL NOT OPEN. THIS REALLY CONCERNS ME CONSIDERING IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT AND THE BACK PASSENGER NEEDED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO. THIS COULD BE A VERY BAD SAFETY ISSUE, AND HAS ME EXTREMELY CONCERNED CONSIDERING I HAVE THREE SMALL CHILDREN THAT RIDE IN THE BACKSEAT DAILY THIS IS MY DAILY DRIVER
NHTSA ODI #11306522
120,000 miles · Sep 29, 2019
Seat BeltsSteeringStructureFire
I GOT HOME FROM WORK AT 7:15AM THIS MORNING 9-29-2019 I WAS LAYING IN BED WATCHING A MOVIE TRYING TO GO TO SLEEP AND WHEN I FINALLY DOZE OFF MY SON ASKED IF HE COULD GO GET A CHARGER OUT OF THE CAR SO HE WENT OUT TO THE CAR AND WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR HE SAID SMOKE HIT HIM IN HIS FACE HE IMMEDIATELY RAN BACK IN THE HOUSE YELLING…
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I GOT HOME FROM WORK AT 7:15AM THIS MORNING 9-29-2019 I WAS LAYING IN BED WATCHING A MOVIE TRYING TO GO TO SLEEP AND WHEN I FINALLY DOZE OFF MY SON ASKED IF HE COULD GO GET A CHARGER OUT OF THE CAR SO HE WENT OUT TO THE CAR AND WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR HE SAID SMOKE HIT HIM IN HIS FACE HE IMMEDIATELY RAN BACK IN THE HOUSE YELLING 'MOM YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE SO I RAN DOWN THE STAIR AND WENT OUTSIDE AND THATS ALL YOU SEE IS SMOKE MY CAR WAS ON FIRE I IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 THEY GOT THE FIRE PUT OUT AND THE FIREMAN AND THE POLICE OFFICER SAID MY FIRE STARTED FROM MY STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE AFTER THE FACT THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT THE FIREMAN SAID HE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS THROWING SPARKS STILL SO THEY SAID THAT'S WHAT CAUSED MY CAR TO CAUGHT ON FIRE I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GONNA DO I HAVE 4 KIDS AND THAT WAS OUR TRANSPORTATION THAT'S HOW MY KIDS GOT TO SCHOOL AND THAT'S HOW I GOT TO WORK I'M LOST I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO I NEED TRANSPORTATION I'M A SINGLE PARENT WITH 4 KIDS IT WILL NOT LET ME MARK EVERYTHING BUT EVERY IN THE CAR IS BURNT MY CD PLAYER 13' SUBWOOFER SPEAKERS THAT WAS IN THE TRUNK MY AMP
NHTSA ODI #11258871
164,490 miles · Apr 3, 2018
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WHEN PROMPTED. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE DOOR WAS DISASSEMBLED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WHEN PROMPTED. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE DOOR WAS DISASSEMBLED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,490.
NHTSA ODI #11082689
76,000 miles · Apr 5, 2017
Electrical SystemStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN WHEN PROMPTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE MOTORS IN THE DOORS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. THE VIN W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN WHEN PROMPTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE MOTORS IN THE DOORS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10970803
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2016
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN FROM OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10849798
258,000 miles · Sep 2, 2015
SteeringStructureCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE INTERSTATE INTO THE MEDIAN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A BOLT FELL OUT TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE INTERSTATE INTO THE MEDIAN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A BOLT FELL OUT THE VEHICLE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE AFFECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 258,000.
NHTSA ODI #10761068
160,000 miles · Dec 13, 2014
SteeringStructureSuspension
POPPING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END OF CAR. NOISE OCCURS WITH ACCELERATION, BRAKING, SHIFTING TRANSMISSION OR PASSING OVER SPEED BUMPS OR ROUGH ROADS. GENERALLY OCCURS AT LOWER SPEEDS, LESS THAN 35MPH, BUT OCCURS WITH HIGHER SPEEDS AS WELL, ALTHOUGH NOT AS FREQUENTLY. (POSSIBLY COMING FROM SUB-FRAME OR SUB-FRAME BOLTS?) *TR
NHTSA ODI #10664087
75,000 miles · Oct 14, 2014
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN EVEN WHILE THE DOOR WAS UNLOCKED. THE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN EVEN WHILE THE DOOR WAS UNLOCKED. THE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10644466
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2014
StructureUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper
THE INSIDE OF THE CARS WINDOWS WOULD FOG AND THEN ICE UP DURING LAST YEARS WINTER. COULD NOT SEE OUT THE WINDOWS EXCEPT SMALL AREA OF DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WINDOW. TOOK INTO DEALERSHIPS TWICE AND THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHY OR FIX IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10627769
790 miles · Aug 21, 2014
Structure
THIS HAS OCCURRED NOW FOUR TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR THE FIRST THREE TIMES WERE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. THE DOOR BETWEEN THE AC AND THE HEAT GETS STUCK ON WAY OR THE OTHER NOW IT IS STUCK WHERE YOU GET HEAT ON DRIVERS SIDE AND AC ON PASSENGERS AND IN THE TEXAS HEAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, ITS A KN…
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THIS HAS OCCURRED NOW FOUR TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR THE FIRST THREE TIMES WERE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. THE DOOR BETWEEN THE AC AND THE HEAT GETS STUCK ON WAY OR THE OTHER NOW IT IS STUCK WHERE YOU GET HEAT ON DRIVERS SIDE AND AC ON PASSENGERS AND IN THE TEXAS HEAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, ITS A KNOWN DEFECT BECAUSE OTHER CHEVY OWNERS KNOW ABOUT IT AND MECHANICS YET NOTHING IS DONE ONCE A GAIN BY CHEVY TO FIX THE ISSUE, I KNOW OF SUBURBAN OWNERS, TRUCK - SILVERADO OWNERS, IMPALA OWNERS , MALIBU OWNERS OF ALL YEARS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10627267
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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