NHTSA Complaint #10730985 — 2007 CHEVROLET TAHOE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROGRESSIVE POWER STEERING FAILURE THAT OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE SUSPENSION WAS ALSO UNSTABLE IN THE REAR ASSOCIATED WITH THE REAR WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE 4-WHEEL DRIVER MODULE, WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE WHEELS IN THE REAR LOCKED. THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND CRASHED INTO A 1996 GMC SIERRA 3500. THE FRONT AIR BAGS AND SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITH FORCE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES TO THE RIGHT ARM AND THE LEFT LEG AS WELL AS EXTENSIVE ABRASIONS. THE DRIVER HAD TO RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A WRECKING YARD AND THEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.