Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
550–25K
7125–50K
7650–75K
7475–100K
87100–150K
41150K+
404 reports with mileage · 120 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Steering. Review the 135 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 124 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 108 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
58 crash reports22 fire reports35 injury reports
What owners actually said
524 reports
22,000 miles · Apr 4, 2008
Electrical System
BROUGHT TO A DEALER THAT ADVISED THE FRONT SEAL WAS LEAKING THEY REPAIRED IT AND GAVE THE VEHICLE BACK. THEN THE REAR DEFROSTER STOPPED WORKING AND SHE STILL SMELLED THE BURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED AND THAT THEY WERE SURPRISED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT C…
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BROUGHT TO A DEALER THAT ADVISED THE FRONT SEAL WAS LEAKING THEY REPAIRED IT AND GAVE THE VEHICLE BACK. THEN THE REAR DEFROSTER STOPPED WORKING AND SHE STILL SMELLED THE BURNING. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED AND THAT THEY WERE SURPRISED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT CATCH FIRE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WIRING AND SHE STILL EXPERIENCED THE BURNING SMELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED ON HOW TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT DOES NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM IS FOUND. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22000. VS
NHTSA ODI #10223368
15,000 miles · Apr 3, 2008
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP AT 15 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN LEFT, BUT COULD NOT. HE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SALES DEALER AND THEY STATED THA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP AT 15 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN LEFT, BUT COULD NOT. HE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SALES DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE FAILURE WITH A HOSE AND TWO CLAMPS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 15,000. UPDATED 04/22/08. *LJ THE POWER STEERING PIPE AND HOSE WERE REPLACED. UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10223231
44,500 miles · Mar 27, 2008
Steering
1. NORMAL DRIVING SPEEDS BETWEEN 0 TO 55 MPH. SOME RAPID ACCELERATIONS MAX RPM ABOUT 4500. 2. RAPID LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID WHICH RESULTED IN EXTREMELY HEAVY STEERING 3. TOWED VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR QUOTED REPAIR IS $550. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10222544
43,863 miles · Mar 4, 2008
Steering
2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA WITH DEFECTIVE POWER STEERING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING. HE STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THEN IN -10 DEGREE WEATHER THE POWER STEERING WENT. DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. *KB THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE.
NHTSA ODI #10220577
63,000 miles · Mar 3, 2008
SteeringFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING HOSE BEGAN LEAKING AND SPRAYED POWER STEERING FLUID OVER THE EXHAUST AND FIRE WALL. THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION AND A NEW HOSE WAS INSTAL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING HOSE BEGAN LEAKING AND SPRAYED POWER STEERING FLUID OVER THE EXHAUST AND FIRE WALL. THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION AND A NEW HOSE WAS INSTALLED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63,000.
NHTSA ODI #10219882
18,500 miles · Mar 1, 2008
Steering
1/24/2008 AND 2/27/2008 MY POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED. ONCE ENTERING A HIGHWAY AND ONCE ENTERING A BRIDGE; BOTH TIMES I NARROWLY ESCAPED ACCIDENT AND INJURY. T HE FIRST TIME I WAS TOWED TO BAST CHEVROLET IN SEAFORD NY (MY DEALER). BAST SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE RETURN HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP, AND THAT THERE WAS A BULLET…
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1/24/2008 AND 2/27/2008 MY POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED. ONCE ENTERING A HIGHWAY AND ONCE ENTERING A BRIDGE; BOTH TIMES I NARROWLY ESCAPED ACCIDENT AND INJURY. T HE FIRST TIME I WAS TOWED TO BAST CHEVROLET IN SEAFORD NY (MY DEALER). BAST SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE RETURN HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP, AND THAT THERE WAS A BULLETIN ON PROBLEMS WITH THIS PUMP. I WAS TOLD THE HOSE WAS REPLACED AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THE SECOND TIME AFTER BEING TOWED TO 2 DEALERS(THE FIRST SAID HE HAD NO TIME TO LOOK AT IT.) I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE RETURN HOSE ON THE POWER STEERING PUMP. WHEN I TOLD HIM IT HAD JUST BEEN REPLACED LAST MONTH, HE TOLD ME THE FIRST DEALER NEVER REPLACED IT; HE ONLY ADDED A CLAMP. THE FIRST DEALER WHEN CONTACTED REPEATED THAT THE HOSE WAS REPLACED BUT WHEN I TOLD HIM ABOUT THE SECOND DEALER HE CHANGED HIS STORY SAYING THE SECOND DEALER WAS RIGHT, AND THAT ONLY THE CLAMP WAS CHANGED. MY COPY OF THE REPAIR INVOICE SAYS THEY CHANGED THE HOSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10219783
1,041 miles · Feb 21, 2008
Power TrainSteeringStructure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS LEAKING AND THEY REPAIRED THE FAILURE. CURRENTLY, THE POWER STEERING COLUMN HAS FAILED AGAIN AFTER THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING PROPERLY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS LEAKING AND THEY REPAIRED THE FAILURE. CURRENTLY, THE POWER STEERING COLUMN HAS FAILED AGAIN AFTER THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING PROPERLY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 36,000. UPDATED 03/26/08. *LJ THE TRANSMISSION REVERSE GEAR WAS DEFECTIVE, THE TRANSMISSION ALSO HAD A DELAYED ENGAGEMENT. THE WINDSHIELD WAS CRACKED, THE LEFT FRONT DOOR WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. ONE OF THE TIRE WAS LOOSING AIR.
NHTSA ODI #10218780
27,000 miles · Feb 11, 2008
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BARELY MOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TWICE AND, ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THEY STATED THAT THE CLAMPS WERE NOT HOLDING THE POWER STEERING LINE. THE HOSE WAS CLAMPED ON BOTH VISITS. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL BARELY MOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TWICE AND, ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THEY STATED THAT THE CLAMPS WERE NOT HOLDING THE POWER STEERING LINE. THE HOSE WAS CLAMPED ON BOTH VISITS. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEALER ON FEBRUARY 11, 2008 FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.
NHTSA ODI #10217624
31,000 miles · Feb 6, 2008
SteeringTires
VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO SHOP FOR REPAIR OF TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM. DEALERSHIP DID NOT FIX A BROKEN TIE-ROD. CHEVROLET IS REFUSING TO RETURN CALLS. CUSTOMER CARE REP. PAUL FLEMING 1-866-790-5700 EXT. 22113. CASE NUMBER71-598223331. ORIGINALLY FILED WITH SHAWN CARTER OVER A WEEK AGO. CAR IS STILL NOT FIXED. I BELIEVE THERE IS A …
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VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO SHOP FOR REPAIR OF TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM. DEALERSHIP DID NOT FIX A BROKEN TIE-ROD. CHEVROLET IS REFUSING TO RETURN CALLS. CUSTOMER CARE REP. PAUL FLEMING 1-866-790-5700 EXT. 22113. CASE NUMBER71-598223331. ORIGINALLY FILED WITH SHAWN CARTER OVER A WEEK AGO. CAR IS STILL NOT FIXED. I BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT DRIVE TRAIN OF THIS VEHICLE. 2006 CHEVY IMPALA LT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10217088
44,000 miles · Feb 5, 2008
Steering
EXPRESSWAY DRIVING. POWER STEERING FAILED. NO PREVIOUS INDICATION. RESULT WAS A MAJOR INCREASE IN EFFORT TO STEER. I FELT IT CREATED AN UNSAFE CONDITION. I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. *TR
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE09025 · 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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