NHTSA Complaint #10242790 — 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET IMPALA. TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN STRAIGHT LINE, THE DRIVER MUST MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL FURTHER OUT. DEPENDING ON WHAT SIDE THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED, THERE IS SOME SLACK IN THE WHEEL AND NOISES ARE MADE. THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT AND THE DEALER INSTALLED A SHORT STEERING SHAFT. THIS REPAIR CORRECTED THE FAILURE FOR FOUR YEARS. WHEN THE FAILURE RECURRED, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR IT UNDER THE WARRANTY SINCE IT EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED FOR FREE BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. HE PAID FOR THE DEALER TO INSTALL A NEW SHORT STEERING SHAFT ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 10/16/08 *BF UPDATED 10/20/08. *JB