"not a safety issue" <-- I beg to differ, and here's why:
According to my mechanic, it's the first generation shaft-mounted EA steering computer that is causing the scariest part of my problem...maybe the rattle too, who knows?
My 2009 1.8L base automatic (which I have only made 2 payments on) drives like a schizophrenic hovercraft. There is play in the steering column that "confuses" the computer and causes it to veer into the next lane if you hit a bump going at a certain speed. This is completely unpredictable. And, it happens fast. In just 2 months I have almost crashed 3 times on the highway because in the time it takes you to look over your shoulder, by the time you look forward again you have magically "hopped" into the adjacent lane. There is also no tactile feedback to alert you to this veering as it happens independently of the steering wheel.
These "auto steer" events (as they call them) cannot be duplicated at will. It's a tricky combination of speed, degree of curve and whether or not there are bumps.
I cannot take this car on the highway and won't until the problem is fixed. This car feels like it is actively trying to kill me. It's not just a rattle. That rattle is the symptom of a much larger problem - my steering wheel's brains are scrambled.
Can someone please advise me what parts absolutely work? I'm not a mechanic, I'm just a lady from Michigan who wanted to buy herself a reliable car. I'm depressed and scared and at the point where I'd rather cash out some early retirement to make sure I survive owning this for the next 6 years. If I do that, I want to make sure the repairs are done with the right parts, and done right the first time.
My father had 32 years on the powertrain at Willow Run - I come from a GM family and have never owned anything but GM automobiles my entire life. This all makes me want to run screaming. I traded in my last car because it had impossible tricky steering issues. And I got this. I feel like a stupid female who has been taken for a ride. They harvested their cash and don't care that I feel completely unsafe.
I tried consulting with a Toyota dealership and they were clearly annoyed that I called asking about a Vibe, and offered me little hope but for to say that "some of those electrical steering problems are better left alone.". Not acceptable.
I have already filed a complaint with the NHTSA and encourage you to do the same, if you find yourself reading this and scratching your head as to why nobody really wants to help you stop your car from trying to kill you.
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleCo ... ndex.xhtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Please, if anyone can update me on this as it stands now:
1) What are the exact part numbers that I need to replace the intermediate shaft and EA steering computer?
2) If I replace both the intermediate shaft and the computer, will that permanently fix the rattle and the "auto steer" that's trying to kill me?
3) How much help can I even expect from GM as far as these repairs go? Anything?
4) Now, as of this week (11/17/2014) - whenever I cold start this car it grinds like I'm trying to start a car that's already started. Although this is not my video, it does this exactly:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTHRqjIZ9Zc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
5) If you are from the greater Detroit area, I could use a non-smarmy referral if you can vouch for someone that can take care of this problem.