NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
524 reports64,000 miles · Jan 16, 2009
SteeringSuspensionVisibility
FIRST THE WHEEL HAD A SHIMMY IN IT. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AND NEW BRAKES. THAT WASN'T IT . IT WAS THE FRONT BALL JOINT. 2. CAR WOULDN'T HEAT UP. RADIATOR CAP REPLACED AT DEALER FOR 45 DOLLARS. REAR DEFOGGER QUIT WORKING. 4. POWER STEERING OUT NOW AND IT FEELS LIKE THE RACK AND PINION GOING TO FAIL. CAR NO LONGER UNDER WARRANT…
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FIRST THE WHEEL HAD A SHIMMY IN IT. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AND NEW BRAKES. THAT WASN'T IT . IT WAS THE FRONT BALL JOINT. 2. CAR WOULDN'T HEAT UP. RADIATOR CAP REPLACED AT DEALER FOR 45 DOLLARS. REAR DEFOGGER QUIT WORKING. 4. POWER STEERING OUT NOW AND IT FEELS LIKE THE RACK AND PINION GOING TO FAIL. CAR NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY NOW WITH 64K. I AM TIRED OF THIS LEMON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10255355
65,000 miles · Jan 15, 2009
Steering
LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST DUE TO BLOWN HOSE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF FLUID. APPROXIMATELY 65,000 MILES. PAID FOR REPAIR MYSELF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10255137
45,000 miles · Jan 13, 2009
Steering
I OWN A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA LS WITH 45,500 MILES ON IT. IN DECEMBER 2008, I EXPERIENCED WOBBLING IN MY FRONT LEFT TIRE. THE OUTER TIE ROD WAS BROKEN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE SEVERELY AND UNEVENLY WORN, REQUIRING A NEW SET OF TIRES DUE TO BAD ALIGNMENT, AND NOW I AM HEARING AND FEELING VIBRATIONS AND CLUNKING IN …
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I OWN A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA LS WITH 45,500 MILES ON IT. IN DECEMBER 2008, I EXPERIENCED WOBBLING IN MY FRONT LEFT TIRE. THE OUTER TIE ROD WAS BROKEN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE SEVERELY AND UNEVENLY WORN, REQUIRING A NEW SET OF TIRES DUE TO BAD ALIGNMENT, AND NOW I AM HEARING AND FEELING VIBRATIONS AND CLUNKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. A GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALED DOZENS OF SIMILAR AND RECURRENT STEERING COLUMN AND ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS AND COMPLAINTS WITH BOTH THE 2006 AND 2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN IS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX. IT COMES BACK. I DID NOT PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT GM DOES NOT REGARD THIS AS BEING COVERED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OUTSIDE OF 36,000, ANYWAY. SEVERAL HAVE COMPLAINED OF STEERING FAILURES AND LOCK-UPS WHICH RESULTED IN BOTH INJURIES AS WELL AS DAMAGE TO PROPERTY AND OTHER VEHICLES. THIS IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM THAT CAN HAVE FATAL RESULTS IF NOT CORRECTED. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD INCUR AN OUT-OF-POCKET COST EXCEEDING $1,000. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL, IF NOT FOR ME, THEN FOR THE PEOPLE FOR WHOM THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEGUN TO OCCUR AND SPARE THEM INJURY AND/OR DEATH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10254838
36,300 miles · Jan 7, 2009
Steering
PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY STEERING WAS HARD PULLED BACK IN AND NOTICED FLUID ON THE PAVEMENT WHICH ENDED UP BEING POWER STEERING FLUID. INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE RETURN HOSE FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP. TOOK TO LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AND IT WAS FIXED. AFTER I HAD MY CAR BACK FOR 6 DAYS THE SA…
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PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY STEERING WAS HARD PULLED BACK IN AND NOTICED FLUID ON THE PAVEMENT WHICH ENDED UP BEING POWER STEERING FLUID. INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE RETURN HOSE FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP. TOOK TO LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER AND IT WAS FIXED. AFTER I HAD MY CAR BACK FOR 6 DAYS THE SAME HOSE BLEW A HOLE IN IT IN A DIFFERENT SPOT. TOOK TO THE DEALER TWO DAYS AGO AND THEY REPLACED IT AGAIN PICKING UP TOMORROW. I CONSTANTLY HEAR ABOUT OTHER HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ON CHEVY'S MAINLY IMPALAS' AND IT SEEMS TO BE PRIMARILY THE 2006 MODEL. THIS IS RIDICULOUS THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS. I'VE CALLED GM AND THEY ARE NO HELP AT ALL AND SEEM TO JUST IGNORE THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10254180
52,000 miles · Jan 7, 2009
SteeringCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WAS UNABLE TO BE TURNED. THE VEHICLE SWERVED OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO SEVERAL TREES, AND THEN OVERTURNED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE THREE PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION A…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WAS UNABLE TO BE TURNED. THE VEHICLE SWERVED OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO SEVERAL TREES, AND THEN OVERTURNED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE THREE PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND HEAVY BRUISING. THE REAR SEAT PASSENGERS WERE CHILDREN AND THEY RECEIVED MAJOR CUTS, WHICH NEEDED STITCHING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY, BUT HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED TO BE DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,000. UPDATED 3/16/09 */CN UPDATED 03/20/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10254076
36,500 miles · Jan 3, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesSeat Belts
I PURCHASED THE 2006 IMPALA IN 11/2006 WHEN STOPPING THE STEERING AND FRONT END SHAKES AND VIBRATES. 1ST THE KEYLESS REMOTES STOP WORKING WHICH INCLUDED MY AUTOMATIC START NOT WORKING THAT HAPPENED 12/7. I AM A TROOPER SO I WAITED TOOK MY CAR TO THE CHEVY DEALER 4/08 AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SYSTEM SO THEY FIXED …
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I PURCHASED THE 2006 IMPALA IN 11/2006 WHEN STOPPING THE STEERING AND FRONT END SHAKES AND VIBRATES. 1ST THE KEYLESS REMOTES STOP WORKING WHICH INCLUDED MY AUTOMATIC START NOT WORKING THAT HAPPENED 12/7. I AM A TROOPER SO I WAITED TOOK MY CAR TO THE CHEVY DEALER 4/08 AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SYSTEM SO THEY FIXED THAT AND MY TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM(WHICH WENT OUT AGAIN ON 12/1/08). MY SEATBELTS WONT LOCK IN YOU HAVE TO FORCE IT HARD SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN STILL COMES OUT ON BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE. MY REAR LEFT DOOR STOP WRKG 6/08 1ST THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE NOW IT DOES NOT OPEN AT ALL. ON 12/21/08 THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY. ALSO THE HEAT STOP WORKING AND THE REAR DEFROST 12/16/08 AND IT IS FREEZING IN CHICAGO. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND OF COURSE THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED SO I WAS STUCK PAYING THE $300 BILL FOR THE POWER STEERING. MY HUSBAND REFUSED TO PAY THE 400.00 FOR THEM TO REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT AND THERMOSTAT GASKET. WELL TWO DAYS LATER CAR IS BACK IN THE SHOP BECAUSE NOW 1/3/09 THE WATER PUMP IS LEAKING WAITING ON A CALLBACK NOW FROM THE AUTHORIZED MECHANIC WITH THE FINAL REPORT ON WHAT ALL IS WRONG WITH THIS CAR THAT JUST CAME FROM THE OTHER AUTHORIZED SHOP ON 12/21. MIND U THE CAR WAS ONLY DRIVEN LIKE 4 MILES B4 THE OTHER PROBLEMS STARTED HAPPENING. I HAVE HAD IT WITH THIS CAR. I WILL SEND IN MORE INFORMATION WHEN I GET THE FINAL VERDICT ON THE DEATH TRAP FROM THE AUTHORIZED MECHANIC WHEN HE CALLS ME BACK TODAY 1/3/08. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10253667
70,000 miles · Dec 30, 2008
Latches/locks/linkages
THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR DOORS ARE INOPERABLE. I OPENED THE DOOR AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DOOR IT WOULD NOT SHUT. THE JAM WAS UNHOOKED AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR AGAIN IT WOULD NOT OPEN. THIS HAPPENED WITH BOTH SIDES OF THE DOOR. IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR THE BACKSEAT PASSENGERS WOULD BE UNABLE TO GET OUT O…
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THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR DOORS ARE INOPERABLE. I OPENED THE DOOR AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DOOR IT WOULD NOT SHUT. THE JAM WAS UNHOOKED AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR AGAIN IT WOULD NOT OPEN. THIS HAPPENED WITH BOTH SIDES OF THE DOOR. IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR THE BACKSEAT PASSENGERS WOULD BE UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10253170
50,089 miles · Dec 29, 2008
Steering
WHILE DRIVING ON THE PUBLICWAY, POWER STEERING CEASE TO OPERATE, STEERING BECAME ALMOST NIL. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS HAPPEN, THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING, STEERING JUST WENT OUT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO HAVE POWER STEERING HOSE REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10253032
5,900 miles · Dec 13, 2008
Electrical System
BATTERY DIED WHILE THE CAR SAT IN THE GARAGE. VERY LOW MILEAGE. AFTER CHARGING CAR WAS ALRIGHT FOR A WEEK OR TWO. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY. SOLVED THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10251651
Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2008
Steering
DURING MARCH 2008 THE POWER STEERING PUMP KEPT BREAKING ON THE 2006 IMPALA, WE HAD TO TAKE IT IN 5 TIMES DURING MARCH THROUGH APRIL TO REPAIR IT, AND NOW DECEMBER 5TH 2008, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN, IT COULD OF BEEN DANGEROUS IF THE POWER STEERING FAULTED DURING DRIVING, AND A CRASH COULD OF BEEN CAUSED BECAUSE OF THE POW…
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DURING MARCH 2008 THE POWER STEERING PUMP KEPT BREAKING ON THE 2006 IMPALA, WE HAD TO TAKE IT IN 5 TIMES DURING MARCH THROUGH APRIL TO REPAIR IT, AND NOW DECEMBER 5TH 2008, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN, IT COULD OF BEEN DANGEROUS IF THE POWER STEERING FAULTED DURING DRIVING, AND A CRASH COULD OF BEEN CAUSED BECAUSE OF THE POWER STEERING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10250890
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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