This past March, General Motors issued a recall for the Chevrolet Caprice PPV regarding a power steering issue. As you’re likely well aware, the Caprice stems from Australia, where the vehicle wears a Holden badge and is an extended part of the VF Commodore lineup at large.
6,280 units were said to be affected by a corroded electric power steering module, leading to the loss of power steering. Now, taxi drivers in Australia are holding Holden responsible for the same issue, but the automaker has yet to remedy the situation.
Wheels reports taxi drivers employing the Holden Caprice have experienced the exact issue down under, where loss of power steering comes after the car unexpectedly weighs up, forcing the driver to stop the car, restart the engine and correct the problem.
The U.S. recall stated the problem was caused by, “Extended idling times and elevated temperatures experienced in typical police applications. A greater steering effort would be needed to control the vehicle if power steering is lost, increasing the risk of a crash.”
However, after Holden launched an investigation into the defect in the car’s home country, it found only 100 represented the issue of 60,000 Caprices.
“Regardless, any issue [with Holden-badged vehicles] is treated extremely seriously and we encourage all of our customers with any concerns to see their Holden dealer so we can help,” said Sean Poppitt, Holden spokesperson.
Poppitt also said the fault that had surfaced in the U.S. version of the Caprice was due to “extreme usage” that even a taxi driver could not replicate in Australia.
Taxi drivers continue to lobby Holden for a fix, with drivers stating it would cost the $1,800 to fix the problem themselves.
“If it’s happening to one guy, two guys, I can understand, you know, here and there, but if it’s happening to 50 of my friends out of a 100 car group that means there is some problem,” a local cab driver stated.
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