Steering Column problems of the 2004 Chevrolet Impala

I have had issues with lights for the past 6 months. First started out where if I had my bright lights on every now and again all my lights would go off while driving. The bright lights wouldn't stay on so had to hold to keep them on. Then it came a period of time where all my lights would not work. On Friday, June 27th 2014, I was at work and happened to look out the window and noticed my lights were on. Went outside to see if car was dead. When I got in the car I could see that my steering column was smoking (on fire) coming from the turn signal switch. The bright lights had stuck to on somehow and this is why I could see that my llights were on. I unhooked the battery and the smoking stopped. When I went to hook battery back up there wasn't any more smoking but my windshield wipers were going as fast as they could and I couldn't switch or do anything to make them stop. The hazards or all my lights were blinking on/off repeatedly. Nothing I could do to stop. As of now I'm driving without any fuse to the wipers and the lights work during the daytime but will not work at all after dark. I've been told the part that is needed to replace this is a multi-functional switch. However, this is going to cost $800 to replace. Many complaints out there about the same thing happening to same year/make/model car and no recall??.

Tl-the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. The contact stated that a clunking sound emitted from the steering column while driving over bumps or while turning. The failure recurred at various speeds. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. An authorize dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 09e005000 (steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,000. Sm.

There is a clicking sound coming from the steering column when turning . . . Started after about 25,000 miles. . . . . . It always occurs, everytime, and is very annoying.

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. When driving over speed bumps at various speeds, the contact heard a loud vibration and clucking noise in the steering column. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they replaced the outer hubs, tie rods, and intermediate shafts. However, the noise and vibrations still occur when driving over variations in the road. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 53,592 and current mileage was 74,472.

-the contact complained about the steering column coupler. GMC has known for years that this part was poorly designed, but failed to cover maintenance/replacement on it. The solution was to charge $165 + to grease the coupler at the contact''s expense. Gm c was fully aware of a problem, and did not bring it to the contact's attention, and then charged the contact to fix it temporarily.

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. While driving approximately 60 mph, the contact turned off the high beam headlights and the electrical system failed without warning. The contact had to park the vehicle and manipulate the high beam switch on the steering column in order for the lighting/electricity to return. In addition, the vehicle received a recall repair for the ignition key where the key was replaced. Afterwards, when the key was in the ignition and turned, the vehicle failed to start. Once the vehicle was started and the key was in the on position, the vehicle would stall without warning. The contact had to manipulate the key in the start position several times in order to start the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the switch on the steering column and body control module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that because the vehicle was over 10 years old, they were unable to assist with the repair. The failure recurred. The failure mileage was 42,536.