NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
524 reports100,000 miles · Dec 30, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, "REDUCED TRACTION CONTROL" LIGHT CAME ON, POWER WAS DRASTICALLY REDUCED AND THEN "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" LIGHT CAME ON. CAR HAS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, BUT CUTTING OFF POWER AND ACCELERATION WHILE I'M MAKING A TURN WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR DRIVING 70+ MPH IS NOT A SAFE WAY OF ADDRESSING THAT P…
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ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, "REDUCED TRACTION CONTROL" LIGHT CAME ON, POWER WAS DRASTICALLY REDUCED AND THEN "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" LIGHT CAME ON. CAR HAS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, BUT CUTTING OFF POWER AND ACCELERATION WHILE I'M MAKING A TURN WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR DRIVING 70+ MPH IS NOT A SAFE WAY OF ADDRESSING THAT PROBLEM. I CAN TURN OFF THE CAR AND REGAIN POWER. NEARLY ANY OTHER WAY OF ADDRESSING THE CODE WOULD BE INFINITELY BETTER THAN KILLING POWER WHILE DRIVING. IT IS NOT SAFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557873
75,000 miles · Dec 17, 2013
Electrical System
ORIGINAL OWNER OF VEHICLE. NOTICED SOMETIME IN AUGUST OF 2013 THAT THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER WASN'T WORKING. CHECKED FUSE, RELAY, GRID CONNECTIONS AND FOUND INCOMPLETE CIRCUIT. TRACED OPEN CIRCUIT TO A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR BEHIND PASSENGER SIDE KICK PANEL UNDER GLOVE BOX. FOUND THAT REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER WIRE (PURPLE) WAS BURN…
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ORIGINAL OWNER OF VEHICLE. NOTICED SOMETIME IN AUGUST OF 2013 THAT THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER WASN'T WORKING. CHECKED FUSE, RELAY, GRID CONNECTIONS AND FOUND INCOMPLETE CIRCUIT. TRACED OPEN CIRCUIT TO A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR BEHIND PASSENGER SIDE KICK PANEL UNDER GLOVE BOX. FOUND THAT REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER WIRE (PURPLE) WAS BURNED AND INSULATION WAS MELTED. SEPARATED THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR TO FIND THAT SPECIFIC CONNECTOR FOR THIS WIRE INSIDE CONNECTOR WAS ALSO BURNED AND MELTED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CONNECTOR. CONCERNED ABOUT FIRE HAZARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10556450
140,000 miles · Dec 13, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
DRIVING ON FREEWAY WHEN A REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR SHUT OFF, LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL ASIDE FROM BIG TRUCKS, OTHERWISE I WOULD BE STRUCK BY. NO CODES AND NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. AS FAR AS I KNOW THIS IS A MAJOR INCIDENT THAT SOMEONE CAN GET HURT OR LOSES LIFE. I WENT ONLINE THRU EDMUNDS AND SA…
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DRIVING ON FREEWAY WHEN A REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR SHUT OFF, LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL ASIDE FROM BIG TRUCKS, OTHERWISE I WOULD BE STRUCK BY. NO CODES AND NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. AS FAR AS I KNOW THIS IS A MAJOR INCIDENT THAT SOMEONE CAN GET HURT OR LOSES LIFE. I WENT ONLINE THRU EDMUNDS AND SAW A LOTS OF COMPLAINS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER THEY SAID NOTHING ABOUT A RECALL !! BEEN A CHEVY CUSTOMER FOR A LONG TIME. I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE IT. SOMETHING OR SOMEONE GOT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, PLEASE !!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10555909
67,000 miles · Dec 2, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR WILL START TO SLOWING DOWN AND CHUGGING THEN SAY ENGINE POWER IS BEING REDUCED AND IT WILL BARLEY DRIVE FROM THERE. THE CAR CAN BE GOING AT ANY SPEED AND BE DOING THIS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING AND ALL THE SUDDEN YOUR CAR CHUGS TO ALMOST NOTHING AND THEIR ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS…
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WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR WILL START TO SLOWING DOWN AND CHUGGING THEN SAY ENGINE POWER IS BEING REDUCED AND IT WILL BARLEY DRIVE FROM THERE. THE CAR CAN BE GOING AT ANY SPEED AND BE DOING THIS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING AND ALL THE SUDDEN YOUR CAR CHUGS TO ALMOST NOTHING AND THEIR ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IN GM FORUM OF COMPLAINTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10554381
58,000 miles · Nov 16, 2013
Power Train
I JUST GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO GO THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, WHEN I TRIED THE TRANSMISSION ONLY REVVED UP, THE CAR DID NOT PICK UP SPEED (VERY CLOSE TO BECOMING AN ACCIDENT). AFTER THAT THE PERSON BEHIND ME ALMOST GOT HIT BY ME BECAUSE I WAS ON A HILL AND MY CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10552585
102,000 miles · Nov 5, 2013
Steering
OBSERVED A FLUID LEAK NEAR RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. THE LEAK IS POWER STEERING FLUID. FOUND THE LEAK TO BE CAUSED BY A HOLE IN THE ALUMINUM POWER STEERING RETURN/COOLING LINE. THE LINE WAS LEAKING CAUSED BY THE PLASTIC WHEEL WELL LINER RUBBING A HOLE IN THE ALUMINUM TUBE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10550910
29,580 miles · Oct 25, 2013
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, AN UNUSUAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS 09E005000 (STEERING). MOST RECENTLY, THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH A LOSS OF POWE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, AN UNUSUAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS 09E005000 (STEERING). MOST RECENTLY, THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE STEERING GEAR WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,580 . UPDATED 12-05-13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED IN 2009, THE HIGH PRESSURE STEERING HOSE WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #10549562
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2013
Electrical System
SERVICE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM IS SHOWING ON DASHBOARD. BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND IT STILL APPEARS ON DASHBOARD. I DONT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10549517
125,000 miles · Oct 20, 2013
Steering
I WAS GETTING OFF THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN I JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN FEEL A SHAKING COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL I NOTICED THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WAS ON SO I PULLED OVER THAT'S WHEN IT SHUT DOWN ON ME. I THEN GOT THE WHEEL HUBS AND BALL JOINTS CHANGED BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE PROBLEM BUT IT WAS NOT SO MY MECHANIC RESET THE…
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I WAS GETTING OFF THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN I JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN FEEL A SHAKING COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL I NOTICED THE SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL WAS ON SO I PULLED OVER THAT'S WHEN IT SHUT DOWN ON ME. I THEN GOT THE WHEEL HUBS AND BALL JOINTS CHANGED BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE PROBLEM BUT IT WAS NOT SO MY MECHANIC RESET THE VEHICLE WENT OFF FOR A DAY THEN CAME BACK ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10548586
Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2013
EnginePower Train
WAS DRIVING IN TO WORK. STOPPED AT MCDONALD'S AND NOTICED CAR SMOKING. DROVE ACROSS THE STREET TO MY JOB TO MY DASH BOARD LIGHTING UP WARNING ME TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING. I DID EXACTLY THAT (SHUT THE CAR OFF) AND WENT INSIDE TO CALL FOR HELP. THIS IS THE 3RD PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR AND…
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WAS DRIVING IN TO WORK. STOPPED AT MCDONALD'S AND NOTICED CAR SMOKING. DROVE ACROSS THE STREET TO MY JOB TO MY DASH BOARD LIGHTING UP WARNING ME TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING. I DID EXACTLY THAT (SHUT THE CAR OFF) AND WENT INSIDE TO CALL FOR HELP. THIS IS THE 3RD PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR AND I HAVE HAD THE CAR ALMOST 4 YEARS. LIKE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS, MY HEAT DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY, I'M GOING THROUGH OIL LIKE CRAZY, AND I SEEM TO BE HAVING TRANSMISSION ISSUES AS IT HARD TO GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK AND INTO DRIVE AND WHEN IT DOES FINALLY GO, I GET WHIPLASH FROM THE JERK. GM NEEDS TO STEP UP BEFORE SOMEONE IS SEVERELY HURT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10547512
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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