Column Collapse Feature
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 20 other vehicles, including the 2001 Pontiac Firebird, 2001 Pontiac Bonneville, 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 2001 Chevrolet Impala, and 2001 Chevrolet Camaro. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Steering column is designed to collapse if impacted during a collision. Steering shaft and column jacket are both 2-piece units which are internally injected with plastic. Plastic protrudes from holes in each unit keeping 2 separate pieces held together as one unit. See Figure. If the column or steering wheel is forcefully impacted, plastic pieces break off, allowing column and shaft to collapse.