NHTSA Complaint #10818340 — 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE

IN A CONVERSATION WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT STEVE RAYMAN OF SMYRNA, GA HE SAID THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE CAUSED THE PROBLEMS WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, GAUGES, AND THE STEERING WHEEL JERKING TO THE LEFT. I CHOSE TO CONTACT GENERAL MOTORS BECAUSE I JUST COULD NOT BELIEVE A NEGATIVE CABLE COULD CAUSE SUCH PROBLEMS. AS MENTIONED EARLIER, GM PERSONNEL TOLD ME THAT THREE REMEDIES MADE UP SPECIAL COVERAGE 14311' 1, NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE NEEDS REPLACEMENT. 2. VOLTAGE REGULATOR NEEDS ADJUSTMENT 3. A SCREW NEEDS TO BE TIGHTENED. IN A SECOND CONVERSATION WITH STEVE RAYMAN PERSONNEL AND GM, BOTH SAID IT WAS THE CABLE AND NOT THE VOLTAGE REGULATORS. THE CAR HAD BEEN IN MY GARAGE FOR THE LAST FEW DAYS WITH A DEAD BATTERY. THIS MORNING I JUMP-STARTED THE VEHICLE; SO, WE CAN ASSUME THE ALTERNATOR WAS WORKING PROPERLY BECAUSE THE CAR CONTINUES TO RUN AFTER DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY CABLES. I DROVE TO THE STORE IN ORDER TO PURCHASE AND REPLACE THE BATTERY I NOTICED THE BATTERY VOLTAGE WAS READING 15.1 VOLTS. AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY, I WAS RETURNING HOME AND NOTICED THE BATTERY VOLTAGE FLUCTUATED FROM 14.7 WHILE IDLING TO 14.8 WHILE DRIVING. MY QUESTION TO YOU THE ALTERNATOR APPEARS TO WORKING CORRECTLY BY PROVIDING ELECTRICAL POWER TO OPERATE THE CAR WHILE USING A DEAD BATTERY. IF THERE WERE A POWER FLUCTUATION, WOULD IT BE REASONABLE TO ASSUME THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR COULD BE THE PROBLEM. COULD ERRATIC VOLTAGE CAUSE THE INSTRUMENTS TO GO HAYWIRE AND COULD LEAD TO THE CAR'S ENGINE TURNING OFF? COULD SUCH AN OCCURRENCE CAUSE A CATASTROPHE ACCIDENT AND RISK THE LIVE OF ALL VEHICLE OCCUPANTS?