NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
524 reports113,000 miles · Oct 13, 2011
Power TrainSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE ALSO HESITATED THEN SURGED FORWARD, AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE VEHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE ALSO HESITATED THEN SURGED FORWARD, AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
NHTSA ODI #10430103
142,000 miles · Sep 26, 2011
Power Train
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN SQUEAKING ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. …
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TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN SQUEAKING ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #10427190
140,000 miles · Sep 8, 2011
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)
THERE IS A LOUD TAPPING NOISE WHEN YOU TURN THE A/C TEMP KNOB OR TRY AND CHANGE THE AIR FLOW. THE NOISE SOUNDS LIKE IT COMES FROM THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AREA. THE NOISE STARTED WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR ON MARCH 16,2010 BUT IT ONLY SOUND WHEN WE WOULD CHANGE THE AIR FLOW BUTTON. BUT TODAY ON SEPTEMBER 8,2011 IT STARTED TO MAKE A FA…
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THERE IS A LOUD TAPPING NOISE WHEN YOU TURN THE A/C TEMP KNOB OR TRY AND CHANGE THE AIR FLOW. THE NOISE SOUNDS LIKE IT COMES FROM THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AREA. THE NOISE STARTED WHEN WE BOUGHT THE CAR ON MARCH 16,2010 BUT IT ONLY SOUND WHEN WE WOULD CHANGE THE AIR FLOW BUTTON. BUT TODAY ON SEPTEMBER 8,2011 IT STARTED TO MAKE A FASTER LOUDER TAPPING IN THE SAME PLACE BUT THIS TIME IN ADDITION TO THE AIR FLOW BOTTOM NOW ITS TRIGGERED BY THE A/C TEMPERATURE KNOB. THE NOISE IS EMBARRASSING AS WE AS ANNOYING! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10424301
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2011
Power Train
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY IMPALA AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIME AND HAVE EVEN HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED BUT AM STILL HAVING THE CAR JERK OFF AT A STOP LIGHT. THE DEALER CAN NEVER FIND A PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. I AM PART OF AN CHEVROLET FAMILY …
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I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY IMPALA AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIME AND HAVE EVEN HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED BUT AM STILL HAVING THE CAR JERK OFF AT A STOP LIGHT. THE DEALER CAN NEVER FIND A PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. I AM PART OF AN CHEVROLET FAMILY AND WE HAVE A TOTAL OF 8 IMPALA AND WE ALL SEEM TO BE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO THE POWER STEERING BELTS AND PULLEY ALWAYS MAKE A HISSING SOUND WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED AND HAVE HAD THIS LOOKED AT AND HAVE HAD THE HOSE REPLACE SEVERAL TIMES ONLY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM TO REAPPEAR. IS THERE A RECALL ON THESE ISSUES. HAVING TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THESE THINGS NOW AS MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10421390
38,000 miles · Aug 12, 2011
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE BRAKES INSPECTED, SHE WAS NOTIFIED THAT BOTH FRONT BUSHING ON THE A-FRAME WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
NHTSA ODI #10419172
4,000 miles · Jul 27, 2011
SteeringSuspension
CURRENTLY I HAVE 29103 MILES ON IT.I HAD TOOK IT IN SHOP 2 TIMES COMPLAINING ABOUT PROBLEM W/STEERING ,AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL.I KNEW DIFFERENT.NOW THE WARRANTY RAN OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD END WAS COMPLETELY WORN OUT,AND THE DRIVERS SIDE IS BAD ALSO.I'VE CONTACTED CHEVEROLET AND THEY SAID TO TAKE IT TO DEALER AND PAY…
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CURRENTLY I HAVE 29103 MILES ON IT.I HAD TOOK IT IN SHOP 2 TIMES COMPLAINING ABOUT PROBLEM W/STEERING ,AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL.I KNEW DIFFERENT.NOW THE WARRANTY RAN OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD END WAS COMPLETELY WORN OUT,AND THE DRIVERS SIDE IS BAD ALSO.I'VE CONTACTED CHEVEROLET AND THEY SAID TO TAKE IT TO DEALER AND PAY OF COURSE FOR THEM TO TELL ME A THIRD TIME PROBABLY THAT THIS IS NORMAL.I AM SCARED OF THIS CAR,BUT HAVE NO CHOICE EXCEPT TO DRIVE IT .I BELEIVE THIS CAR SLIP THRU FACTURY INSPECTIONS . AS ALSO ROTORS WAS TURN AT ABOUT 4000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 26000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10416037
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2011
Tires
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES ON MY 2006 IMPALA 4 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I AM CURRENTLY ON THE 5TH SET OF TIRES AFTER ONLY 105,000 MILES. I BUY THE TIRES WITH 50-70 THOUSAND MILE USAGE, YET I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM FOR UNEVEN WEAR EVERY 20-25 THOUSAND MILES, EVEN WITH ROUTINE ROTATIONS AND ALIGNMENT WHEN I SAW THE LAWSUIT ABO…
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I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES ON MY 2006 IMPALA 4 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I AM CURRENTLY ON THE 5TH SET OF TIRES AFTER ONLY 105,000 MILES. I BUY THE TIRES WITH 50-70 THOUSAND MILE USAGE, YET I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM FOR UNEVEN WEAR EVERY 20-25 THOUSAND MILES, EVEN WITH ROUTINE ROTATIONS AND ALIGNMENT WHEN I SAW THE LAWSUIT ABOUT 2007 AND 2008 IMPALAS, I WAS SHOCKED THAT 2006 WASN'T INCLUDED BECAUSE IT IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM I'VE BEEN HAVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10414905
124,000 miles · Jul 14, 2011
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure
REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUT. SON WAS STUCK IN CAR. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10412360
30,000 miles · Jul 6, 2011
Electrical SystemEquipment
AC DUCT NOISE WHILE DRIVING & WHEN PARKED. CONSTANT TAPPING OF COMPONENT IN DASH AREA SOMETIMES ALLEVIATED BY ADJUSTING D/SIDE TEMP WHEEL. SAME COMPLAINT FROM MANY IMPALA OWNERS I KNOW. HAPPENS WITH KEY ON OR OFF. SLOWLY GETTING WORSE. 2006 CHEV. IMPALA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10410766
24,000 miles · Jul 5, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
2006 IMPALA SS, 5.3L V8. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION; 1 QT EVERY 1,200 - 1,500 MILES. PROBLEM STARTED BEFORE CAR REACHED MANUFACTURER 3 YEAR 36000 MILE WARRANTY. DEALER REPLACED VALVE COVERS TO REPAIR WHAT WERE BELIEVED TO BE FAULTY PCV VALVES INTEGRATED INTO VALVE COVERS. OIL CONSUMPTION CONTINUES. DEALER NOW WANTS TO CLEAN UPPER…
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2006 IMPALA SS, 5.3L V8. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION; 1 QT EVERY 1,200 - 1,500 MILES. PROBLEM STARTED BEFORE CAR REACHED MANUFACTURER 3 YEAR 36000 MILE WARRANTY. DEALER REPLACED VALVE COVERS TO REPAIR WHAT WERE BELIEVED TO BE FAULTY PCV VALVES INTEGRATED INTO VALVE COVERS. OIL CONSUMPTION CONTINUES. DEALER NOW WANTS TO CLEAN UPPER PART OF ENGINE TO OPEN OIL FLOW PORTS, STILL INDICATING OIL IS ACCUMULATING UNDER VALVE COVERS AND BEING PULLED BACK INTO ENGINE THRU PCV VALVE. DEALER HAS NEVER PERFORMED COMPRESSION TEST TO DETERMINE IF PROBLEM IS REALLY RELATED TO COMBUSTION CHAMBER PROBLEMS, SUCH AS BAD PISTON RINGS. DEALER HAS REPORTED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON SILVERADO PICKUP TRUCKS WITH THE SAME 5.3L V8 ENGINE BLOCK. CAR NOW HAS 51000 MILES AND PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN SOLVED. CAR WILL BE GOING BACK TO DEALER WITH A DEMAND FOR A COMPRESSION CHECK. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10410612
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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