Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
STEERING
09E005000DORMAN PRODUCTS, INC. E (Equipment)97902/23/2009MFRGENERAL MOTORS CORP.02/17/200902/17/2009
Defect SummaryDorman is recalling 979 steering knuckles, dorman p/nos. 697-902 and 697-903, sold under dorman's oe solutionstm brand name, and napa p/nos. 7-8502 and 7-8503 which were sold for replacement use on the various vehicles listed above. a potential material or design defect could result in the steering knuckle breaking in the hub area.
Consequence SummaryA broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning.
Corrective SummaryDorman will notify owners and replace the defective steering knuckles free of charge and reimburse the repair facility or owner for labor. the recall began on february 23, 2009. owners may contact dorman's toll-free hotline at 1-800-523-2492.
NotesThis recall only pertains to aftermarket dorman steering knuckles and has no relation to any original equipment installed on vehicles manufactured by general motors corporation.owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov .
08E063000DORMAN PRODUCTS, INC. E (Equipment)385510/16/2008MFRGENERAL MOTORS CORP.10/17/200810/20/2008
Defect SummaryDorman products is recalling 3,900 intermediate steering shafts dorman part nos. 425-151, 425-152, and 425-153, (sold under dorman's oe solutions brand name), balkamp #'s 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (sold under the napa brand name), and platinum parts #'s 2425151, 2425152, and 2425153 manufactured during the month of september 2007. these replacement steering shafts can be used on the vehicles listed above. the weld connecting the inner tube to the outer tube may be defective.
Consequence SummaryIf the weld fails, loss of steering could result, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Corrective SummaryDorman will notify owners and replace the steering shafts free of charge. the recall began on october 16, 2008. owners may contact dorman toll free at 1-800-523-2492.
NotesThis recall only pertains to dorman's oe solutions brand name, balkamp's napa brand, and the platinum brand steering shafts and has no relation to any original equipment installed on vehicles manufactured by general motors corporation.customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
STEERING
06023200908/01/2007060232009A10022924Overview of steering system noises. *nj10/05/2007
06023500503/01/200610019832Key stuck in ignition, key will not return to off position, shifter button won't release in park position. *tt05/05/2006
010232001F02/01/200610019516Clunk felt/noise heard from steering column, steering gear and/or front of vehicle during turning maneuver and/or steering wheel rotation. *tt03/21/2006
05023200306/01/200510017515Revised outer tie rod end nut tightening specification/tie rod end jam nut tightening specification added. *tt11/09/2005
040235004D11/01/2005040235004C10008657Clunk noise from front of vehicle during turning maneuver/steering wheel rotation. *tt *nm08/13/2004
010232001C09/01/2003010232001B10004280Some customers may comment on a clunk type noise coming from the front of the vehicle during a turning maneuver. *tt12/01/2003
010232001B07/01/2002010203001A634803Some customers may comment on a clunk type noise coming from the front of the vehicle during a turning maneuver. *tt10/09/2002
05110111/05/2001628094Some vehicles may exhibit a clunk type noise especially felt in the steering wheel while turning. *tt03/05/2002
01-02-32-00104/01/2008010232001O618086Concerns with clunk noise from front of vehicle turning maneuver / steering wheel rotation.*jb (lubricate or replace intermediate shaft as appropriate). updated 10/05/07. *nj updated 4/1/08. *nj updated 7/1/2008 *pe04/03/2001

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
STEERING
05/28/20121042311
 I purchased the vehicle in may and since then i been hearing this clunking noise coming from the steering column. i called gm and they told me that it was the intermediate steering shaft that need to b replaced because they got out a lot on the vehicles. i told them of they know that y didn't they recall them and the guy told me because the safety commission never told them to. im very upset and feel that this is a safety issue! i replaced this piece numerous time and it keeps making this noise again! i don't have money like that to keep replacing this part. please help me by recalling this part because my kids are a factor here and this can be a major accident. *tr
10/10/20091800001
 On my way to work on my normal route before dawn, driving down a narrow curvy rural road rife with deer, i flicked on my high beams as usual. about 5 seconds later i lost all my headlights. somehow safely pulled off road without falling into the ditch and turned off vehicle. after several minutes of turning lights on and off the fog lamps came on and i was able to make it back home very slowly. spent $1000 getting a control module replaced. had trouble with turn signals quitting randomly for 3 years, have to turn on emergency flashers in order to get them to work. another $500 will fix the problem but since the car is only worth $1500 it doesn't seem worth it. this car is a piece of junk - 2 transmissions, numerous electrical problems, 5 steering shaft replacements... *tr
03/15/2003250001
 Noticed a knocking sound in the steering column at a very low mileage (25000?) and inquired of the dealer. told they could find nothing wrong.. had it checked by an aftermarket repair shop at about 40,000 and was told they couldn't find the problem but that chevy's were having a real bad problem with their steering columns.. vehicle now has 56,000 and am now told by chevy dealer i need to replace entire steering column and rack and pinion at my expense. dealer mentioned this is very common problem but didn't know of any recalls yet. cost estimate is $1000.00. *tr
05/18/200740000108/01/2002
 Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet monte carlo. the contact heard a knocking noise in the steering column everytime he turned the wheel. the dealer was able to duplicate the failure, but could not determine the cause. the contact was informed that the only way it could be repaired was by taking the steering column apart for inspection. the vehicle was out of warranty; therefore, the repairs may have to be made at the contact's expense. he received a recall notice for the spark plugs and now an oil leak is present. the contact will have the recall repair performed. the nhtsa campaign id number was unknown. the failure mileage was 40,000 and current mileage was 74,000. updated 07/10/09. *lj updated 07/10/09.*jb
03/20/2009700001
 I own a lemon of a 2002 chevrolet monte carlo ss. nothing but problems since i bought it last year. steering column problems, cost $200.00 to fix, catalytic converter replaced, covered by warranty thank god. today it is in the shop again for leaky gasket and wheel bearing/ hub replacement which is costing another $500.00. this was bad because the abs breaks didn't always work which was scary since i wondered when they were going to give out totally and i would be in an accident. the transmission solenoid also needed to be replaced which cost us another $700.00. is there any help for us? i wonder what will be next with this car, it is a nice looking car, but it sucks mechanically!! please help! any suggestions? *tr
06/14/2005330001
 My 2002 chevy monte carlo ss has a clunking sound coming from the steering, i had this fixed 2 1/2 years ago and it has been happening again now for about 8 months. i was waiting for a recall but have heard nothing yet. *tr
06/25/2008510001
 Abs and tac off light come on stay on and service traction system light comes on took to shop if didn't fix (meaning i have no antilock brakes and they thing its the abs motor pump think) i wont be able to get a inspection sticker and they said it will cost 1600 to fix and went on web and seen many hundreds of 2002 monte owners are having the same problem. *tr
12/21/200653000111/08/2005
 I own a 2002 chevrolet monte carlo 53,000 miles on it with intermediate shaft problems and intake manifold gasket problems. both are apparently common on this make and model. chevrolet should make these repairs. the steering can be affected, which is a hazard and the gasket could cause engine freeze up while driving, also a hazard. *jb
05/16/20024
 2002 chevrolet monte carlo with abs and service engine light problems and concerns**cc the traction light illuminated as well. the transmission was replaced 2 months after the consumer purchased the vehicle, because the vehicle wouldn't go into 3rd gear. the steering shaft was lubricated. the consumer was informed that the ebcm needed to be replaced and without the replacement, the abs would not work so the traction control and abs light would remain on. the water pump and intake gasket was replaced due them leaking. the fuel injector was replaced due to it being stuck open. the tire pressure monitoring light illuminated, the dealer sealed the rear wheels. *jb
09/16/200330192911/22/2001
 2002 monte carlo ss with steering safety problems steering column replaced front end replaced still unsafe and in shop. recall center shows no recalls for steering column dealer says there is and there have been reports of cracked frames but these are just what they called tech bulletins from other dealer there was also a recall on a coolant problem not listed. 1-160465811 chevy complaint number. *nlm
11/18/200329000103/01/2003
 2002 monte carlo : at 29,000 miles needs all front and rear brake rotors resurfaced due to warping and new brake pads. this was described to us as normal and not covered under any warranties. vehicle is driven majority of time on the interstate highway where brakes are not needed much. in addition, when turning a noise was heard/felt in steering wheel. g.m. dealer service center had to replace inner steering shaft in steering column? (their description) this was repair under warranty. *la
STEERING - COLUMN
07/21/2005840003
 2002 chev monte carlo ss experienced popping in steering wheel at 21,862 miles and again at 45,299 miles. both times dealer invoice insinuated that steering shaft was replaced. at 84,000 miles this happened again. took back to dealer who told me that in fact they followed the gm service bulletins at the time and only lubed the steering shaft. a service bulletin from 8/1/04 said to replace, but this was after the second incident and no one called to let me know (and of course i was under the impression that the replacement had already occurred.) the steering wheel felt very loose and unstable and i feel if left unchecked could have resulted in failure and accident. *nm
STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
1
 I drove a new monte carlo and it is apparent the steering effort is extremely hard and will result in drivers fingers becoming bent and twisted. dt
01/30/20021
 At driving the speed of 30 miles per hour, going around a bend, there was a popping noise, i then lost control of the steering and had no brakes. trying to steer the car left around the bend the car proceeded to go straight. causing the car to go up the driveway apron through a yard lodging the car into a shrub ,stopping 5 inches from going into a garge. i had the car towed to metro chevrolet, was contacted by dealer saying it sounded like a mechanical error. again contacted by the service department, the next day saying the car was driven over a curb, or hit something. i explained the car went through the driveway apron, did not hit curb, and resting on a shrub will not cause the damage that it substained. dealer refused to take responibility. i proceeded to take pitcures of the sceen of the accident, showing the path of the car. the driver side went over the curb, the passenger side went over the apron of the drive. all the damage was done to the passenger side of the car. i try to explain to them that something broke before contact was made with the curb. i am reporting this problem for the safety of my family, and anyone else who may have the same problem before it gets to the point of an accident for someone else. at this time my insurance is paying for the repairs, i am trying to get the dealership to honor the claim for the malfunction. *ak
STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
10/12/2004460003
 The tie rods wore out prematurely, causing the front end to shimmy. steering shaft connected to the steering rack and pinion had a lot of play. this problem happened when driving at various speeds. it caused the vehicle to be uncontrollable ,and wore out the tires.*ak
STEERING - RACK AND PINION
10/12/2004460003
 The tie rods wore out prematurely, causing the front end to shimmy. steering shaft connected to the steering rack and pinion had a lot of play. this problem happened when driving at various speeds. it caused the vehicle to be uncontrollable ,and wore out the tires.*ak
08/20/200410002011/01/2001
 Pop in steering and clunk when turning at low speed. dealership has replaced steering column, steering box, front end and rotors. have sold the vehicle to insure the safety of our family. *ak