NHTSA Complaint #10183234 — 2003 GMC ENVOY XL

ON 2/15/07 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 50MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING WENT OUT, BRAKES LOCKED UP, ALL GAUGES WENT ERRATIC BOUNCING FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND THE HEATER STARTED BLOWING COLD AIR UPON THIS HAPPENING I NEARLY WENT INTO A CREEK HOWEVER STRUGGLING DID MANAGE TO SAFELY GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN A DITCH. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHEN UPON DIAGNOSIS THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD FAILED AND ALL OF THE ABOVE COMPONENTS WERE TIED INTO THE SWITCH. I AT MY OWN EXPENSE HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED AND THE RPM GAUGE STILL DOES NOT WORK. I CONTACTED GMC THE VERY DAY OF THE INCIDENT TO MAKE THEM AWARE OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE ONLY TO BE BOUNCED AROUND TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT OFFICES, NONE OF WHICH HAVE MADE THIS SAFETY ISSUE A TOP PRIORITY. I HAVE NOTATED EVERY CONVERSATION WITH EVERY PERSON THAT I HAVE SPOKEN TO AND WHAT WAS SAID. I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO TAKE THE LEGAL ROUTE, HOWEVER I AM PREPARED TO DO SO. WHEN IGNITION SWITCHES FAIL IT SHOULD NOT SHUT DOWN A VEHICLE IN THE MANNER THAT IT DOES. ALTHOUGH I WAS SUCCESSFUL AT NOT BEING INJURED OR INJURING ANYONE ELSE THAT WILL NOT ALWAYS BE THE CASE IN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. *NM