Originally Posted by pttl

Really?

Originally Posted by Sarlacc

I would assume if/when it happens its not a wide spread problem.

BUT...a little research does reveal at least 2000 Cruze's were recalled for this issue. I wonder if its a bad parts supplier.

Originally Posted by West6MT

That assumption would appear to be incorrect according to the 3 or 4 car news sites I checked.


http://www.insideline.com/chevrolet/...an-detach.html
2011 Chevrolet Cruze Recalled Because Steering Wheel Can Detach

Published Apr 11, 2011

8 Ratings
Just the Facts:

* General Motors is recalling 2,100 2011 Chevrolet Cruze sedans because the steering wheel can detach from the steering column, according to NHTSA.
* GM issued a stop-sale order on the sedans, but says the problem is "an isolated incident."
* There was no crash and no one was injured in the one incident that GM reported to the federal government.


WASHINGTON — General Motors is recalling 2,100 2011 Chevrolet Cruze sedans because the steering wheel can detach from the steering column, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

"During manufacturing, the steering wheel could have been improperly fastened and may detach from the steering column," said NHTSA in its recalls summary of the problem. "Should the steering wheel detach from the steering column while driving, the driver could lose the ability to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash."

GM issued a stop-sale order on the sedans, but says the problem is "an isolated incident."

"The daughter of a Cruze owner driving on March 14 experienced the separation of the steering wheel from the column," said GM in other documentation filed with the federal government. "She was able to guide the vehicle to the side of the road. There was no crash and no one was injured."

GM told NHTSA that "the owner (of the aforementioned Cruze) has said she is willing to accept another General Motors vehicle in place of this vehicle. We are pleased she is staying in the GM family."

GM said it has made changes to the assembly process so that "the tool used to fasten the steering wheel cannot operate if an incorrect part number is read by the tool's scanner."

"We inspected more than 2,100 vehicles at the assembly plant and found no issues," GM said. "Additionally, in order to confirm our findings, we asked GM dealers to immediately inspect vehicles in their possession and inform GM engineering of the results. To date, GM has inspected more than 650 vehicles at dealerships with no issues."

Chevrolet dealers will inspect to verify that the steering wheel is assembled properly. The recall has begun. Owners can contact Chevrolet at (800) 630-2438.

or

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...73764F20110408

(Reuters) - General Motors Co is recalling about 2,100 Chevrolet Cruze small cars to inspect for an improperly fastened steering wheel after discovering one vehicle with the defect.

Originally Posted by silver3.5

a one time incident wouldn't have led to a recall.

Originally Posted by '01White3.2CL

how can Sarlacc stick up for a car when the steering wheel falls off?? really? Taking a car to its basic elements, that's one of the most important systems in a car.

:awaitingsarlaccsquoteandresponsetomyresponse:

Originally Posted by fsttyms1

Kinda looks like it was

Originally Posted by '01White3.2CL

how can Sarlacc stick up for a car when the steering wheel falls off?? really? Taking a car to its basic elements, that's one of the most important systems in a car.

:awaitingsarlaccsquoteandresponsetomyresponse:

Originally Posted by myron

^ yea it could have but it didn't. I have never never heard f a steering wheel falling off.

Originally Posted by bigman

I work in the auto industry and have personally seen both Mercedes and BMW's have similar things happen to them. Every make and model will have some catastrophic failure.

Originally Posted by bigman

I work in the auto industry and have personally seen both Mercedes and BMW's have similar things happen to them. Every make and model will have some catastrophic failure.

Originally Posted by bigman

I work in the auto industry and have personally seen both Mercedes and BMW's have similar things happen to them. Every make and model will have some catastrophic failure.

Originally Posted by Legend2TL

I doubt this could happen to a BMW, I've removed a few BMW steering wheels and I recall the spline teeth design are much wider and deeper. Those teeth on the Cruize wheel are extremely fine so I can understand how it could have occurred. The rational I'm guessing is that GM engineers allow the factory workers to center up the steering wheel with just the wheel instead of adjusting the tie rod ends which required more time and alignment effort.

Originally Posted by mclarenf3387

Got pics? I've never seen that happen on a BMW. I've worked on quite a few (thousands) and encountered some weird stuff, even on cars that were just delivered off the truck, but never anything as serious as that. If the car has a lot of miles on it and has had tons of work then its not the same since there are plenty of hacks out there who cause weird issues.



It has nothing to do with the splines. That wheel fell of due to a part failure. It looks like the center of wheel fell out where the bolt holds it to the upper steering column. That or the threads stripped out inside the steering column.