NHTSA Complaint #10054851 — 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA

2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA HAS A RECURRING INCIDENT OF CLICKING NOISES AT RIGHT FRONT STEERING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT. THIS IS SUPPLEMENTAL TO THE VEHICLE DEVELOPING A UNEVEN WEAR AT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. WHEN TAKEN TO THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THAT ROTATING THE TIRES WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AS THE PROBLEM GREW WORSE (INCLUDING A BADLY SHIMMYING FRONT END AT HIGH SPEEDS),I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A CRACKED WELD ON IT CHASIS AND REPAIRED IT. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE TIRES, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE NEW ONES AT MY OWN EXPENSE. A SMOOTH RIDE WITH NEW TIRES WAS SHORT LIVED, AS A BADLY SHIMMYING FRONT END HAD DEVELOPED AGAIN (WITHIN 24 HOURS). TAKING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SECOND DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS A WORN TIE ROD. ONCE THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED, I PERIODICALLY HEARD LIGHT CLICKING NOISED FROM THE STEERING WHEN MAKING TURNS (RIGHT & LEFT). TAKING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SECOND DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF LUBRICATION. ONCE LUBRICATED, THE VEHICLE STOPPED MAKING CLICKING NOISES FOR ABOUT 30 T0 40 DAYS. I NOTICED THAT THE CLICKING NOISES BEGAN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN OVER UNEVEN AREAS OF A ROAD OR PARKING LOT, OR WHEN THE VEHICLE NEGOTIATES TIGHT LEFT TURNS (LOW SPEEDS) AND WIDE/SWEEPING LEFT CURVES AT HIGH SPEEDS. NEVER THE LESS, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM CONCERNS LUBRICATION. LATEST MAINTENANCE DATE AS INCIDENT DATE 10/16/03 (COMPLAINT: F/E SNAPPING WHEN TURNING. DIAGNOSIS: INADEQUATE LUBRICANTS IN THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. CORRECTION: REMOVED SHAFT - LUBRICATED AND RE-INSTALLED PART# [XXX]. THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP: RHODES CHEVROLET OF SWANSBORO, NC (NOW UNDER NEW NAME AND MANAGEMENT). THE DEALERSHIP MAKING REPAIRS: MARINE CHEVROLET CADILLAC OLDSMOBILE. INITIAL THUMPING/ UNEVEN TIRE WEAR IS WITHIN ONE MONTH OF VEHICLE PURCHASE 01/18/01. VIN [XXX]. *LA UPDATED 07/26/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT T