[obermd]

Just got this for both my 2012 ECO MT and 2012 LS MT:

This letter is intended to make you aware that some 2012 model year Chevrolet Cruze vehicles may have increased friction in the steering system. This could cause the steering wheel to stick in the straight-ahead position after driving long distances on a straight highway. The steering wheel can be turned but it may require increased effort.

Do not take your vehicle to your Chevrolet dealer as a result of this letter unless you believe that your vehicle has the condition as described above.

The letter extends this service to 10 years/150,000 miles from initial purchase. It also includes a reimbursement form if you have already paid for this repair.

Since I receveid it for both cars I'd say this is a fleet wide issue. I don't know if it includes 2011, 2013, or 2014 model years as my letters specifically state 2012. So for those of you who have this problem it appears GM has figured out the problem and is fixing those cars that have the sticky steering issue.

 

[Robby]

Well, I guess my initial info was correct......thats how I got it....10/150.

I do not remember it being year specific......I do know that the Equinox and GMC derivitave are having the same issue and their warranty was extended as well.

Rob

 

[obermd]

I bet every single letter is year specific. My water pump extension was also year specific.

 

[jblackburn]

Hurray! I was getting worried about having this reoccur - my car is just about to be out of the B2B warranty that would cover rack replacement again if needed.

 

[money_man]

So they'll keep replacing it or they'll say it's been done once now we can't help you like they did with the cobalts?


Sent from the sexy electrician

 

[obermd]

So they'll keep replacing it or they'll say it's been done once now we can't help you like they did with the cobalts?


Sent from the sexy electrician

Unknown. From what's been reported here it appears GM may have solved the issue and is no longer guessing.

 

[jblackburn]

Isn't there a software update that supposedly actually works now?

 

[money_man]

Is it just a software update? I love me some software updates. So if you have the problem do they need to witness it or just take your word for it and do the software update?

I know with my escape we just told them there was a new update for the steering software and they had it in and out in less than 15 mins with no hassle


Sent from the sexy electrician

 

[MilTownSHO]

When I took mine in, they just updated the software, never even test drove it.

Would be nice if I get this letter as well though, be nice to have that little bit of extra piece of mind.

 

[revjpeterson]

So if you have the problem do they need to witness it or just take your word for it and do the software update?
I know with my escape we just told them there was a new update for the steering software and they had it in and out in less than 15 mins with no hassle

Depends on the dealer. My dealer did my first software update (an older version than the one currently being flashed) while I was there for an oil change, based only on my report of the problem. The second time, I asked them to ride with me and witness the problem, because it was doing it right at that time, and I figured that if they were going to have to start replacing parts, I would have that out of the way and not have to wait for it to happen at a time I could pull in and show them.

 

[Merc6]

I got mine as well saying 2013, Gonna be model specific for the letters sent out but it's gonna encompass a bunch of us like the water pump.

As for replace once and done, that didn't work out for the water pumps and possibly the PCV as the cars age.

 

[revjpeterson]

Funny thing. Earlier when I was looking up something on the emissions warranty, I noticed this on my Warranty Tracker:

Must be the extended steering warranty. Bet my letter will be coming later this week.

 

[neirfin]

What software do they update? I have had this happen every now and then but it didn't seem like something to take it in for, and after my b2b ran up I figured it was just something I would deal with later anyways...

 

[revjpeterson]

What software do they update? I have had this happen every now and then but it didn't seem like something to take it in for, and after my b2b ran up I figured it was just something I would deal with later anyways...

Steering Control Module

 

[MilTownSHO]

Good catch, just checked mine, same thing.

Funny thing. Earlier when I was looking up something on the emissions warranty, I noticed this on my Warranty Tracker:

View attachment 124178

Must be the extended steering warranty. Bet my letter will be coming later this week.

 

[spacedout]

If it was as simple of an issue as a software update there would be no reason to extend the warranty on the car, just do a recall and fix the problem on all effected cars.

As with the water pump warranty extension its more likely they have no current working fix and are trying to make current owners feel better about the issue or possibility of it effecting us later. I'm sure the next owner will enjoy the remainder of the warranty when I sell my car, probably make the dealer feel nice to knowing they don't have to pay to fix these issues too.

Really nice my car devalues more each month than the payments I'm making, guess that's one nice thing about this warranty extension(since I'm stuck with the car for awhile longer).

 

[ParisTNDude]

When I took mine in, they just updated the software, never even test drove it.

Would be nice if I get this letter as well though, be nice to have that little bit of extra piece of mind.

Geeesshhh, I read about this irritant in the Diesel specific Cruzetalk threads and was curious about it. Each issue that some of you have reported, naturally, mine, soon after hearing about it comes up with the problem...02 sensors as an example...had my second one replaced a couple weeks ago.

This thing is something like a virus, you hear about it or get near to it and you catch it. Same with the notchy steering rack problem...I noticed the malady last week on an 80 mile trip at 55-65 mph. You let the steering wheel "rest" on a straight ahead stretch of road and when it begins to wander even a slightest bit, you turn the steering wheel ever so slightly to correct course and it takes some effort to turn...then it breaks loose and you over correct. It's not dangerous or any huge problem, but it's one of those niggling things that you start feeling for it at every slight turn of the wheel and it just ruins the driving experience.

I got my letter in the mail yesterday addressing 2014 Cruzes, so, yeah... it appears it's happening in all years. My dealership knows me well and they probably hate to see me coming.

 

[obermd]

Geeesshhh, I read about this irritant in the Diesel specific Cruzetalk threads and was curious about it. Each issue that some of you have reported, naturally, mine, soon after hearing about it comes up with the problem...02 sensors as an example...had my second one replaced a couple weeks ago.

This thing is something like a virus, you hear about it or get near to it and you catch it. Same with the notchy steering rack problem...I noticed the malady last week on an 80 mile trip at 55-65 mph. You let the steering wheel "rest" on a straight ahead stretch of road and when it begins to wander even a slightest bit, you turn the steering wheel ever so slightly to correct course and it takes some effort to turn...then it breaks loose and you over correct. It's not dangerous or any huge problem, but it's one of those niggling things that you start feeling for it at every slight turn of the wheel and it just ruins the driving experience.

I got my letter in the mail yesterday addressing 2014 Cruzes, so, yeah... it appears it's happening in all years. My dealership knows me well and they probably hate to see me coming.

Welcome to the world of subliminal marketing.

 

[Tomko]

I received the following from my truly excellent service advisor this morning:

Condition - Some 2012-2014 model year (MY) Chevrolet Cruze and Volt, 2010-2014 MY Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain, and 2013-2014 MY Chevrolet Malibu vehicles may have increased friction in the steering system. This could cause the steering wheel to stick in the straight-ahead position after driving long distances on a straight highway. The steering wheel can be turned but it may require increased effort.

Special Coverage Adjustment

This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership.

Dealers are to 1) replace the steering gear on 2010-2012 model year vehicles; or 2) reprogram the power steering control module on 2013-2014 model year vehicles. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.

For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after November 19, 2014 are covered by this special coverage and must be submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to November 19, 2014 must be submitted to the Service Contract provider.

 

[obermd]

That's a lot of cars with this issue. I wonder if GM is doing it this way to prevent the NHTSA from ordering another recall.