NHTSA Complaint #10664211 — 2011 CHEVROLET CRUZE

I WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD AT AROUND 1030PM. I HAD A BLOW OUT ON MY CAR EARLIER ON THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE SO I HAD PUT A DONUT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE ROAD CURVED LEFT AND AS I WAS TRYING TO TURN MY VEHICLE TO GO AROUND THE CURVE OF THE ROAD MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. IT WAS LOCKED IN A STRAIGHT POSITION. I APPLIED MY BRAKES BUT IT WAS TO LATE AND I HIT THE REAR END OF A PARKED SUV ON THE ROAD. I WAS VERY CONFUSED AND I HAD TO TAKE A FIELD SOBRIETY TEST IN WHICH I DID AND I PASSED. I WAS ISSUED A CITATION FOR FAILURE TO PROVIDE PROPER LOOK OUT. WHAT THE HECK IS THAT? I TOLD EVERYONE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THAT I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING IT WOULD NOT TURN FOR ME, I HAVE HAD 2 LOWER BACK SURGERIES, I NEED ANOTHER ONE, I HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH MY NECK WHICH IS GOING TO REQUIRE SURGERY, AT LEAST ONE SURGERY IF NOT MORE. I NEED TO HAVE MY LEFT KNEE RE DONE ALSO. I HAVE BEEN HAVING MAJOR HEADACHES AND MORE PAIN THAN USUAL SINCE THE ACCIDENT. MY LEFT WRIST GOT SCREWED UP ALSO. I COULD OF EASILY KILLED MYSELF. WELL THEN I GET THIS LETTER SAYING THAT THE STEERING WHEEL COULD HAVE FRICTION AND ACTUALLY STICK IN THE STRAIGHT POSITION. THE REASON BEING IS THAT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS WORKERS NOT CORRECTLY INSTALLING CRITICAL PARTS ON THE CAR. SO ENGINEERS HAVE CHANGED THE INSTALLATION PROCESSES FOR THE STEERING WHEELS AND TRANSMISSIONS TO MAKE SURE PARTS ARE INSTALLED CORRECTLY. WELL IT IS A LITTLE TO LATE FOR THAT FOR ME. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. I RECEIVED THE LETTER ON DECEMBER 5, 2014. *TR