NHTSA Complaint #10693810 — 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA

AC BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR (THERE ARE 3 OF THEM) IS INSUFFICIENTLY DESIGNED TO HOLD UP TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE LOCATION OF THE SWITCHES MAKES MAINTENANCE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. IT WOULD BE ASSUMED THAT THE DESIGN WOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO HOLD UP UNDER SEVERAL YEARS USE SINCE ACCESSIBILITY TO THESE PARTS IS VERY DIFFICULT. THE PARTS THEMSELVES COST ABOUT $27 (TWICE THAT AT THE DEALERSHIP) AT YOUR PARTS STORE BUT THE DEALERSHIP AND/OR INDEPENDENT MECHANICS CHARGE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE THIS PART. MY CAR IS NOW 10 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL 3 OF THESE SWITCHES AT LEAST TWICE AND THE MOST DIFFICULT TO GET TO SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES. IT SEEMS THAT THE ACTUAL LIFE EXPECTANCY OF THESE PARTS (IN ACTUAL USE) IS APPROXIMATELY +/- 15 MONTHS. *TR