This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Since I bought the car in 2011 used with 23,000 miles on I have had to have two new racket pinion steering motors/(units) replaced and if I'm not mistaken it appears a third is on it's way.. this is not in any way the car is being driven. This is a flaw that could also cause a dangerous situation.
I was driving home on the freeway at about 70 mph and the service engine light went on with it saying "reduced engine power" on display. About 10 seconds later I could not accelerate, the car began to start slowing down and I lost ability to maneuver the steering easily as the steering wheel locked up. I was able to pull off on the side of the freeway and I had to turn the car off and wait about 10 minutes for the problem to clear up.
Stopped at the top of a snow covered hill. Put the transmission in 2nd gear and proceeded down the hill. The vehicle got up to about 15 mph then lost all power; engine quit, no brakes, and the steering wheel locked in place. Because the brakes were not working the vehicle gained significant speed going downhill. Not being able to steer the vehicle because the steering wheel was locked it went off the road and hit a tree. Upon impact the air bags did not deploy. As a result the driver and passenger were seriously injured. The consumer stated after owning the vehicle for a few months, the vehicle began to loose power and several messages appeared on the dashboard. All the power shut off and the consumer had to aaa to have the vehicle towed to where she purchased it. An inspection revealed the throttle body needed to be replaced. Updated 07/10/14
When I pressed down on my accelerator pedal (speed limit was increasing from 50mph to 65mph), a message of "starting disabled. Service throttle" came up on the dash. The accelerator pedal and steering wheel completely locked up and the car started to decelerate. I was able to force the steering wheel in order to turn onto a side street (narrowly avoiding a car stopped in the left lane to turn) and park the vehicle in a location out of the main lane of traffic. Had this side street not been there at that exact moment, the possibility of a crash would be very likely as steering was unresponsive and I may have been rear-ended due to the sudden loss of engine power.
Was driving 35 mph, in a 40 mph zone, steering locked up and hit a curve..could not steer, then after I hit curve. Steering went back to normal..I'm not going to drive a car thats unsafe...
- Brewster, OH, USA
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The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that when the brake was depressed, the front end would shake and exhibit a loud noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an alignment of the front end, but the failure was not corrected. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for further inspection where the failure was located at the steering component. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 45,256 the current mileage was not available.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized while driving 5 mph. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where the rack and pinion was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 05/16/12 the consumer stated she was unable to turn the steering wheel. It began locking up, as she was attempting to park. Updated 05/22/12
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized while making a left turn at 20 mph. The vehicle was driven to a local mechanic who inspected the failure and advised the contact that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated whenever you are driving down a hill the steering wheel began to shake violently and the brakes overheat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who installed new rotors under the warranty but within two months the identical failure occurred. The vehicle was taken again to a mechanic who installed new brake pads and heat shields behind the rotors so they would not overheat but the failure recurred within a month. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 25,000 and the current mileage was 35,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that while driving, a very loud sound would come from under the hood and the vehicle was difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who stated that the rack and pinion seals were leaking; as a result the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 54,400.
Heard a 'whining' noise from under hood, that changed pitch with engine speed. Dealer reported that the steering rack was leaking, & had to be replaced & tires realigned, at a cost of $1070. Owner was concerned that power steering loss could be a potential safety concern.
I am hearing noises coming from my steering gear as I make turns. The dealer told me my rack and pinion system is going out. This failure can lead to the loss of the ability to steer or the steering wheel locking up. Research indicates this has been a problem with Chevrolet models since 2000. No corrective action has taken place yet. I am sure there are injuries and deaths related to this issue.
Routine oil change 9/9/10. "abnormal tire wear, both outer tie rod ends are bad". 9/10/10 per dealer inspection: Power steering rack & pinion and the right outer tie rod end has excessive play, replaced power steering rack & pinion and right outer tie rod end, 2-wheel alignment. Customer paid labor only, $300.11.
2009 Chevrolet Impala. Consumer states extreme vibration, severe steering difficulties and brake unresponsiveness the consumer stated the brakes were frozen in one position. The dealer machined the front rotors and sanded the pads. The engine shut down and the consumer had to drive in 3rd gear.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Impala. The dealer performed a front end alignment and the vehicle continued to pull to the right while driving 25 mph. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer to have the wheels realigned. The manufacturer advised the contact to take the vehicle back to the dealer to have the wheels aligned again, adjust the tow and center the steering wheel. The dealer later informed the contact that the vehicle needed another wheel alignment. The failure mileage was 21,981. Updated 08/27/10. The consumer stated the vehicle has uneven tread wear. Updated 08/3010 updated 08/31/10
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Grand Rapids, MI, USA