NHTSA Complaint #10487182 — 2007 CHEVROLET UPLANDER

THIS LAST OCTOBER 2012, I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO DRIVE MY WIFE'S VEHICLE AND NOTICED A FLOATING SENSATION IN THE STEERING WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT MAKING IT SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN LANE POSITION DUE TO OVER STEERING BACK AND FORTH WHEN TRYING TO COMPENSATE FOR FLOAT. I THEN NOTICED A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN STOPPED AND AT SLOWER SPEEDS. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC HE SAID THAT IT SEEMED TO BE THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. I THEN BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM TO HAVE THEM INSPECT IT. THEY CONFIRMED IT WAS THE SHAFT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WAS AROUND $350. I THEN CONTACTED GM HEADQUARTERS QUESTIONING THE SAFETY OF THIS PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ITEM AND THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THIS IS THE FIRST VEHICLE OF OWNING MANY VARIOUS MANUFACTURERS HAS EVER HAD THIS ISSUE. ARE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR PARTS? DOES THIS PART NEED TO FAIL AND CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT BEFORE A RECALL IS NECESSARY??? RECENTLY TOYOTA RECALLED MILLIONS OF THEIR VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TR