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2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

94 reports with mileage · 19 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports0 fire reports10 injury reports

Power Train complaints

27 reports
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90,000 miles · Jan 8, 2011
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION IN THE VEHICLE IS KNOW FOR CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN SEVERAL INTERNAL PARTS. GM KNOWINGLY PUT A TRANSMISSION THAT WAS RATED FOR A V6 IN A CAR THAT PRODUCES MORE HORSEPOWER AND TORQUE THAN THE TRANSMISSION IS RATED TO USE. THE TORQUE CONVERTER, CLUTCH PACK, AND INPUT SHAFT ARE ALL KNOWN TO FAIL IN THESE TRANSMISS…

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THE TRANSMISSION IN THE VEHICLE IS KNOW FOR CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN SEVERAL INTERNAL PARTS. GM KNOWINGLY PUT A TRANSMISSION THAT WAS RATED FOR A V6 IN A CAR THAT PRODUCES MORE HORSEPOWER AND TORQUE THAN THE TRANSMISSION IS RATED TO USE. THE TORQUE CONVERTER, CLUTCH PACK, AND INPUT SHAFT ARE ALL KNOWN TO FAIL IN THESE TRANSMISSIONS. I AM CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING SEVERAL SYMPTOMS THAT ARE LINKED TO THESE PARTS FAILURES. I AM GOING TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION VERY SOON DUE TO THE WEAK POINTS THAT GM FAILED TO RECOGNIZE EARLY ON IN THE DEVELOPMENT PHASES OF THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION OFTEN SLIPS AND GIVES HARD SHIFTS UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *LN

NHTSA ODI #10375210

95,000 miles · Jan 7, 2011
Power Train

2006 MONTE CARLO SS - 4T65E-HD TRANSMISSION FAILURE... SLIPPING... SHUDDERING/SHAKING THE WHOLE FRONT END WHEN SHIFTING... LUNGES/SLAMS INTO GEAR... HAD TO GET TRANSMISSION REPLACED! THERE ARE OVER 100 OTHER PEOPLE I KNOW IN ONLINE CAR FORUMS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION IN THEIR MONTE CARLOS, IMPALAS, AND GXP…

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2006 MONTE CARLO SS - 4T65E-HD TRANSMISSION FAILURE... SLIPPING... SHUDDERING/SHAKING THE WHOLE FRONT END WHEN SHIFTING... LUNGES/SLAMS INTO GEAR... HAD TO GET TRANSMISSION REPLACED! THERE ARE OVER 100 OTHER PEOPLE I KNOW IN ONLINE CAR FORUMS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION IN THEIR MONTE CARLOS, IMPALAS, AND GXP'S. STARTING ANYWHERE FROM 20,000 MILES TO 90,000 MILES... AND SOME ARE ON THEIR 2ND OR 3RD REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION ALREADY!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10375108

1,000 miles · Jun 10, 2009
Power Train

I BOUGHT A NEW 2006 MONTE CARLO IN JULY 2006. SINCE NEW I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAR ACCELERATING WHEN STOPPED. ALSO, TRAVELING AT STEADY SPEEDS THE RPMS FLUXUATE. NOW WHEN YOU USE THE CRUISE CONTROL, AS THE CAR GOES DOWN A GRADE IT PULSATES AND THE RPMS FLUXUATE THEN CLEARS. GM AND DEALER SAYS IT IS NORMAL. I'VE OWNED A LOT OF …

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I BOUGHT A NEW 2006 MONTE CARLO IN JULY 2006. SINCE NEW I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAR ACCELERATING WHEN STOPPED. ALSO, TRAVELING AT STEADY SPEEDS THE RPMS FLUXUATE. NOW WHEN YOU USE THE CRUISE CONTROL, AS THE CAR GOES DOWN A GRADE IT PULSATES AND THE RPMS FLUXUATE THEN CLEARS. GM AND DEALER SAYS IT IS NORMAL. I'VE OWNED A LOT OF GM CARS AND THIS IS NOT NORMAL. HAD THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT,,RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY, POWER STEERING HOSE ALL REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. HAD TO FIGHT WITH GM TO GET THE RACK REPLACED. BOLT BROKE ON THE REAR BRAKE CABLE, DEALER SAID I HIT SOMETHING BUT NOT A SCRATCH ON THE BOTTOM OF CAR AND HANGER SITS UP IN THE FRAME AREA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273488

1,000 miles · Jan 15, 2009
Power TrainSteering

I BOUGHT MY 2006 MONTE CARLO, IT HAS LESS THAN 23,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE EXPERIENCED CONTINUED HARSH SHIFTING/SLIPPAGE OF THE TRANSMISSION SINCE I PURCHASED IT. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP A FEW DIFFERENT TIMES AND THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY SAY THEY CAN'T FIX IT IF IT DOESN'T SHIFT HARD FOR…

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I BOUGHT MY 2006 MONTE CARLO, IT HAS LESS THAN 23,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE EXPERIENCED CONTINUED HARSH SHIFTING/SLIPPAGE OF THE TRANSMISSION SINCE I PURCHASED IT. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP A FEW DIFFERENT TIMES AND THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY SAY THEY CAN'T FIX IT IF IT DOESN'T SHIFT HARD FOR THEM WHEN THEY HAVE IT. JUST YESTERDAY I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT BLEW A POWER STEERING HOSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255140

7 miles · Oct 2, 2008
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO SUPER SPORT. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN JULY OF 2006, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS WITH FORCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO PERSIST. HE RETURNED TO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO SUPER SPORT. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN JULY OF 2006, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS WITH FORCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO PERSIST. HE RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS DEFECTIVE, WHICH CAUSED THE MOTOR MOUNT, TRANSMISSION, AND STEERING COLUMN TO FAIL. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE TRANSMISSION, BUT NONE OF THE OTHER COMPONENTS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEIR ENGINEERS WOULD RECEIVE THE INFORMATION FROM THE DEALER IN ORDER TO FIND OUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7.

NHTSA ODI #10244252

Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2008
Power Train

TRANSMISSION ON VEHICLE SLIPS AT RANDOM INTERVALS. REMOTE ENTRY SYSTEM WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO. AIR BAG LIGHTS COME ON AT RANDOM. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX KEYLESS ENTRY OR TRANSMISSION SLIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10233175

1,000 miles · May 11, 2007
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. SINCE DECEMBER OF 2006, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AT LEAST THREE TIMES FOR SEVERAL DIFFERENT FAILURES. THE TRANSMISSION WAS IMPROPERLY REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME AND WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SHOP. THE BATTERY DIED AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT GIVEN A NEW ONE. THE KEYLESS ENTRY SY…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. SINCE DECEMBER OF 2006, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AT LEAST THREE TIMES FOR SEVERAL DIFFERENT FAILURES. THE TRANSMISSION WAS IMPROPERLY REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME AND WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SHOP. THE BATTERY DIED AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT GIVEN A NEW ONE. THE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM WITH ONSTAR IS MAKING A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MECHANIC DOES NOT PERFORM THE REPAIRS AND LEAVES THE VEHICLE PARKED FOR WEEKS AT A TIME. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 33,852 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

NHTSA ODI #10190534

Official recalls

1

14V355000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jun 23, 2014

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.