NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
524 reports58,000 miles · May 4, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
I WAS DRIVING 35MPH DOWN MY ROAD IN MY IMPALA. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A TRACTION CONTROL/REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE CAME ON. THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOWED TO 20MPG AND I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A HUGELY POPULAR ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND CHEVY REFUSES TO FIX IT. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS I ALMOST L…
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I WAS DRIVING 35MPH DOWN MY ROAD IN MY IMPALA. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A TRACTION CONTROL/REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE CAME ON. THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOWED TO 20MPG AND I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A HUGELY POPULAR ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND CHEVY REFUSES TO FIX IT. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS I ALMOST LOST CONTROL WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10586467
72,000 miles · May 2, 2014
Power Train
TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN, ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, NO FORWARD MOVEMENT. THE RPMS WOULD GO UP, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR INCLUDING REVERSE. CALLED ONSTAR AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. THIS IS A '06 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS WITH 72,000 MILES DRIVEN. I HAD TO PAY FOR A 3K TRANSMISSION TO REPLAC…
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TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN, ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, NO FORWARD MOVEMENT. THE RPMS WOULD GO UP, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR INCLUDING REVERSE. CALLED ONSTAR AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. THIS IS A '06 CHEVROLET IMPALA SS WITH 72,000 MILES DRIVEN. I HAD TO PAY FOR A 3K TRANSMISSION TO REPLACED THE FAILED ONE. I WAS INFORMED AFTER THE FAILURE THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY LS4 ENGINE AND THIS TRANSMISSION. GM IS WELL AWARE OF THESE TRANSMISSION FAILURES, BUT REFUSES TO RECALL THEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10586107
Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WOULD EXHIBIT A CLICKING AND GRINDING NOISE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTIFY MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10585258
75,000 miles · Apr 23, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD CONSTANTLY SEIZE WITHOUT WARNING WHEN TURNING LEFT. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE FORCE WHEN EXITING A PARKING AREA AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE PARALLEL PARKED DUE TO THE STEERING FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD CONSTANTLY SEIZE WITHOUT WARNING WHEN TURNING LEFT. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE FORCE WHEN EXITING A PARKING AREA AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE PARALLEL PARKED DUE TO THE STEERING FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 09E005000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
NHTSA ODI #10584457
120,000 miles · Apr 22, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND EMITTED A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 09E005000 …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN AND EMITTED A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 09E005000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10584159
75,000 miles · Apr 11, 2014
Power Train
2006 IMPALA REVS REALLY HIGH FOR A FEW SECONDS AND JERKS INTO MOTION WHEN I TAKE OFF FROM A STOP. IT HAPPENS A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK AND HAS SINCE I GOT IT WITH AROUND 70K MILES. IT SOUNDS LIKE A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL IN ORDER.. THE DEALER SAYS THEY'D HAVE TO REPLICATE WHAT IT'S DOING BUT I'…
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2006 IMPALA REVS REALLY HIGH FOR A FEW SECONDS AND JERKS INTO MOTION WHEN I TAKE OFF FROM A STOP. IT HAPPENS A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK AND HAS SINCE I GOT IT WITH AROUND 70K MILES. IT SOUNDS LIKE A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL IN ORDER.. THE DEALER SAYS THEY'D HAVE TO REPLICATE WHAT IT'S DOING BUT I'D BE OUT OF POCKET FOR A RENTAL UNTIL/IF THEY WERE ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE WARRANTY COMPANY DECIDES "IF" THEY'LL COVER IT. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10579283
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2014
Electrical System
THE KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH...GM DEALERSHIP CANNOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10578202
178,000 miles · Apr 7, 2014
StructureSuspensionWheelsCrashInjury
SWERVED TO MISS A DEER, RAN OFF THE ROAD HIT A LIGHT POLE ON PASSENGER SIDE,TORE OFF FRONT TIER AND SUSPENSION, CAR ROLLED A COUPLE OF TIMES, BLEW OUT MOST OF THE WINDOWS, TORE UP THE WHOLE INTERIOR, SLID INTO A GUARD RAIL AND LANDED UP RIGHT, AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED! I BROKE MY SHOULDER, COLLAR BONE AND HAND, THE CAR …
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SWERVED TO MISS A DEER, RAN OFF THE ROAD HIT A LIGHT POLE ON PASSENGER SIDE,TORE OFF FRONT TIER AND SUSPENSION, CAR ROLLED A COUPLE OF TIMES, BLEW OUT MOST OF THE WINDOWS, TORE UP THE WHOLE INTERIOR, SLID INTO A GUARD RAIL AND LANDED UP RIGHT, AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED! I BROKE MY SHOULDER, COLLAR BONE AND HAND, THE CAR HAD BRAND NEW TIRES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10577911
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT WHEN OPENING THE DRIVER'S SIDE OR ANY OTHER DOORS DIC (DRIVER'S INFO CENTER) STAYS LIT AND RADIO STAYS ON FOR 15 MINUTES. WAS TOLD IT MAY BE THE BCM (BODY CONTROL MODULE). ALSO CHECKED VEHICLE'S OIL AND ALL WAS FINE THEN 2 WEEKS LATER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND DIPSTICK SH…
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SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT WHEN OPENING THE DRIVER'S SIDE OR ANY OTHER DOORS DIC (DRIVER'S INFO CENTER) STAYS LIT AND RADIO STAYS ON FOR 15 MINUTES. WAS TOLD IT MAY BE THE BCM (BODY CONTROL MODULE). ALSO CHECKED VEHICLE'S OIL AND ALL WAS FINE THEN 2 WEEKS LATER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND DIPSTICK SHOWS NO OIL. NO LEAKS ANYWHERE ON DRIVEWAY NOR UNDER CARRIAGE. STEERING WHEEL SQUEALS WHEN TURNING YET ALL FLUIDS ARE TOPPED OFF. IS THIS VEHICLE A LEMON? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10577573
Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2014
Steering
I HAVE BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY STEERING COLUMN IN MY IMPALA I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL ON SOME IMPALA'S BUT WHEN I CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALER I WAS TOLD MINE WASN'T IN RECALL . YET THERE'S A POPPING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN AND JUST RECENTLY I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY HIGH BEAM LIGHTS THEY WILL SWITCH TO HIGH BEAM WHENE…
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I HAVE BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY STEERING COLUMN IN MY IMPALA I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL ON SOME IMPALA'S BUT WHEN I CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALER I WAS TOLD MINE WASN'T IN RECALL . YET THERE'S A POPPING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN AND JUST RECENTLY I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY HIGH BEAM LIGHTS THEY WILL SWITCH TO HIGH BEAM WHENEVER I USE MY BLINKER AND I HAVE TO PUSH IN N HOLD IN THE BLINKER SWITCH FOR A FEW MINS BEFORE THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WILL GO OFF ! I'VE BRIGHT LIGHTED SO MANY PPL OVER THIS PROBLEM AND I FEEL VERY GUILTY IF I CAUSED SOMEONE TO CRASH OVER BRIGHT LIGHTING THEM EVEN THOUGH IT'S OUT OF MY CONTROL REALLY . PLEASE HELP ME FIND OUT IF MY CAR SHOULD BE CHECKED FOR THIS STEERING KNUCKLE RECALL BC A MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT IS WHAT MAY BE THE ISSUE , THANK YOU . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10576962
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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