NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
48 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Nov 8, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train
SOON AFTER PURCHASE, TRANSMISSION SLIPS GEARS COMING OUT OF A STOP. AUGUST 2013, TRANSMISSION DROPPED OUT, DRIVING 30MPH. CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE; NO GEARS. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. NOW ONE YEAR LATER, SLIPS GEARS AT 40MPH. HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK. USE OF TURN SIGNALS CAUSES HIGH BEAMS TO ACTIVATE. T…
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SOON AFTER PURCHASE, TRANSMISSION SLIPS GEARS COMING OUT OF A STOP. AUGUST 2013, TRANSMISSION DROPPED OUT, DRIVING 30MPH. CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE; NO GEARS. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. NOW ONE YEAR LATER, SLIPS GEARS AT 40MPH. HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK. USE OF TURN SIGNALS CAUSES HIGH BEAMS TO ACTIVATE. THE CABIN FAN (A/C AND HEAT) NEVER SHUTS OFF. HEAT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. CAR SEEMS TO SHAKE AT TIMES. FEELS LIKE A FLAT TIRE BUT WHEN CHECKED, TIRES ARE FINE. CAR ROLLS WHEN IN PARK, EVEN ON FLAT SURFACE. CAR ROLLS BACK WHEN IN DRIVE, EVEN ON SLIGHT INCLINES. NEVER CERTAIN OF BRAKES; AT TIMES, WORKS AS NORMAL, OTHER TIMES, PEDAL MUST BE PUSHED CLOSE TO THE FLOOR TO ACTIVATE BRAKES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10653555
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2014
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE HIGH BEAMS WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND COMPLETELY FAILED WHEN THE BLINKERS WERE ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE HIGH BEAMS WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND COMPLETELY FAILED WHEN THE BLINKERS WERE ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10630370
135,000 miles · Aug 30, 2014
Exterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK WITH AUTO LOW BEAMS ON, AND ON A HIGHWAY THE LIGHTS WOULD JUST TURN OFF. THE PARKING LIGHTS STAYED ON, AND HIGH BEAMS STILL WORKED. WHEN I WOULD TURN THE SWITCH THERE WAS NO CHANGE. I HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE FOG LIGHTS ON. THEN ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE ROAD THEY TURNED BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIME…
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WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK WITH AUTO LOW BEAMS ON, AND ON A HIGHWAY THE LIGHTS WOULD JUST TURN OFF. THE PARKING LIGHTS STAYED ON, AND HIGH BEAMS STILL WORKED. WHEN I WOULD TURN THE SWITCH THERE WAS NO CHANGE. I HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE FOG LIGHTS ON. THEN ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE ROAD THEY TURNED BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. NOW, THE LOW BEAMS WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL. SEVERAL POSTS ONLINE SUGGEST REPLACING RELAY #35(LOW BEAM RELAY) AND THAT FIXES THE PROBLEM, BUT THEN MANY OTHER PEOPLE POST HAVING FIRES AT RELAY #35 SHORTLY AFTER REPLACING IT. THERE ARE SWARMS OF POSTS ONLINE OF PEOPLE HAVING ISSUES WITH LOW BEAMS UNEXPECTEDLY TURNING OFF, AND THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD REPLACE THE PART, BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF FIRES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10629524
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire
LOW BEAMS WENT OUT , WHEN I GOT HOME AND TURNED OFF CAR, I NOTICED SMOKED COMING FROM UNDER HOOD OF CAR MY RELAY FUSE BOX WAS ON FIRE ,LOW BEAM RELAY WAS MELTED. PONTIAC SAYS THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS CAR BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10626019
242,910 miles · Jul 24, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire
LOW HEAD LIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING THEN WENT OUT, STILL HAD HIGH BEAMS. PULLED INTO DRIVEWAY AND THE FUSE PANEL UNDER THE HOOD WAS SMOKING, DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND LIFTED THE LID TO FUSE PANEL AND THE RELAY HAD EXPLODED AND BURNT THROUGH THE PANEL THAT HOLDS THE FUSES. A BROWN LIQUID WAS ALL OVER SMOKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10616107
116,000 miles · Jul 10, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
HEADLIGHT AND LOW BEAMS ARE NOT WORKING AGAIN. REPLACED THIS PROBLEM ABOUT THREE - FOUR MONTHS AGO AND AGAIN STOPPED WORKING AFTER SPENT 300.00. I WAS COMING OUT OF THE STORE GOT INTO THE CAR AND STARTED DRIVING AND WENT OUT AGAIN. I SEE THERE IS LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. NOW AGAIN I …
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HEADLIGHT AND LOW BEAMS ARE NOT WORKING AGAIN. REPLACED THIS PROBLEM ABOUT THREE - FOUR MONTHS AGO AND AGAIN STOPPED WORKING AFTER SPENT 300.00. I WAS COMING OUT OF THE STORE GOT INTO THE CAR AND STARTED DRIVING AND WENT OUT AGAIN. I SEE THERE IS LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. NOW AGAIN I AM WITHOUT A CAR AND CANT DRIVE IT AGAIN AT NIGHT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10609732
30,000 miles · Dec 22, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
WAS GOING HOME AFTER WORK ONE NIGHT AND HEADLIGHTS, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL TURNED OFF BY THEMSELVES. I COULD NOT TURN THEM BACK ON ( I WAS GOING 60 ON THE FREEWAY).I KEPT DRIVING AND THEY TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES AFTER ABOUT TWO OR THREE MINUTES. IT GOT WORSE AS TIME PASSED, AND NOW ONLY THE HIGH BEAMS WORK, THE LOW BEAMS DO NOT …
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WAS GOING HOME AFTER WORK ONE NIGHT AND HEADLIGHTS, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL TURNED OFF BY THEMSELVES. I COULD NOT TURN THEM BACK ON ( I WAS GOING 60 ON THE FREEWAY).I KEPT DRIVING AND THEY TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES AFTER ABOUT TWO OR THREE MINUTES. IT GOT WORSE AS TIME PASSED, AND NOW ONLY THE HIGH BEAMS WORK, THE LOW BEAMS DO NOT WORK AT ALL. LOW BEAM FUSES, AND LOW BEAM RELAY ARE ALL GOOD. NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. ALSO SOMETIMES THERE IS A LOUD POP SOUND FROM THE SPEAKERS WHEN STARTING THE CAR UP. WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT SEEMS THERE IS SOME TYPE OF POWER SURGE, AND THEN I HAVE TO KEEP ENTERING THE CORRECT TIME AND DATE BECAUSE IT ALWAYS GOES TO JAN. 1ST.. NEED ALL THESE ELECTRICAL ISSUES FIXED, THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD INVOLVED HERE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10556991
60,000 miles · Jul 25, 2013
Exterior Lighting
I HAVE A 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GT. 3 YRS. AGO, 75 MPH ON FREEWAY AT NIGHT, LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. BRIGHTS STILL WORK. AFTER THE CAR SAT OVERNIGHT, LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. THIS HAPPENED OFF AND ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. DIAGNOSTICS COULD NOT DETECT PROBLEM. NEW STEERING COLUMN AND LIGHTSWITCH WAS INSTALLED. WORKED FOR A WHILE, …
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I HAVE A 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GT. 3 YRS. AGO, 75 MPH ON FREEWAY AT NIGHT, LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. BRIGHTS STILL WORK. AFTER THE CAR SAT OVERNIGHT, LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. THIS HAPPENED OFF AND ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. DIAGNOSTICS COULD NOT DETECT PROBLEM. NEW STEERING COLUMN AND LIGHTSWITCH WAS INSTALLED. WORKED FOR A WHILE, THEN STARTED AGAIN. LAST NIGHT IT DID IT, SO I READ ONLINE TO REPLACE #35 RELAY IN FUSE BOX BECAUSE TONS OF PEOPLE WERE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. IT WORKS FOR TODAY. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING PROBLEM WITH THIS ON THE 06 THRU 08 GRAND PRIX. ALSO REPORTS OF FUSE BOXES STARTING ON FIRE. MY CAR WAS EXTREMELY HOT LAST NIGHT AFTER BEING TURNED OFF FOR 2 HOURS. LOVE THIS CAR, EXCEPT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO NOT HAVE LIGHTS IN NIGHTTIME DRIVING! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10531747
69,650 miles · Jun 22, 2012
Exterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVE AT NIGHT THE LOW-BEANS JUST STOP WORKING. FOG & HI-BEAN STILL WORK. WAS NOT ABLE TO GET LOW-BEANS TO WORK. THE NEXT DAY, THE LOW-BEASN WOULD COME ON & OFF RANDONLY. WAS NOAQT ABLE TO LIGHTS TO WORK MANUALLY. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10462771
Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2011
Exterior Lighting
WHEN I'M DRIVING THE LIGHTS WILL GO OFF SOMETIMES THEY'LL COME BACK ON AND SOMETIMES THEY STAY OFF!THE AUTOMATIC LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON SOMETIMES WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED ON...I CHANGED THE DIMMER SWITCH TWICE AND THE LIGHTS STILL DO NOT WORK EVEN IF I TURN THEM ON MANUALLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10430726
NHTSA investigations
2RQ17002 · Loss Of Headlights
Opened Apr 24, 2017 · Closed Mar 29, 2021
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights
The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.
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.