Power Train. Review the 139 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 113 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 99 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports10 fire reports18 injury reports

Power Train complaints

139 reports

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50 miles · Dec 14, 2010

Power Train

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THIS IS AN UPDATE TO COMPLAINT 10280929 FOR A 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE AWD AFTER FUEL EFFICIENCY REACHING AN ALL-TIME HIGH OF 17MPG COMBINE HWY&CITY, WITHIN WEEKS IT BEGAN DROPPING AND SETTLED BETWEEN 14-15 MPG. WATER LEAKS THAT BEGAN DUMPING CUP FULL OF WATER ON OCCUPANTS LAST YEAR FIXED. MORE DEFINITE HESITATION BETWEEN GEARS CONTINUES, AS WELL AS MOMENTARY LAPSES IN POWER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PEDAL AND ENGINE. LAST MONTH A WHIRRING SOUND STARTED THAT WAS ASSOCIATED WITH TURNING THE CAR. THE SOUND WOULD RISE DURING ACCELERATION AND FALL DURING DE-ACCELERATION. BREAK JOB TOOK CARE OF IT (ALTHOUGH I DOUBTED THE DEALER'S ASSESSMENT) UNTIL YESTERDAY. THE WHIRRING HAS RETURNED, ALBEIT INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER 3 YRS I KNOW THAT IF A PROBLEM CAN'T BE REPLICATED ON TEST DRIVE OR SHOW UP AS CODES ON A COMPUTER--THE DEALERSHIPS (AND I HAVE BEEN TO 3 OVER THE YEARS) WILL DO NOTHING. MY SOLUTION IS TO TURN THIS PRETTY LOOKING CAR IN (3 WEEKS!) AND TURN MY BACK ON ALL GM CARS AFTER 30+ YEARS OF DRIVING ALL SORTS OF THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10370691

40,000 miles · Aug 2, 2010

Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED HESITATION AND SHAKING. THE REVERSE GEAR WAS NONFUNCTIONAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION CLUTCH PACK. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING R…

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NHTSA ODI #10346766

22,000 miles · Jul 12, 2010

Power Train

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WITHIN THE LAST FOUR MONTHS, I HAVE NOTICED A VIBRATING NOISE AS PART OF MY STEERING. MY MAJOR COMPLAINT IS A VERY LOUD SHARP WHISTLING NOISE COMING FROM MY ENGINE AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A SHORT TIME. THE SCREECHING, WHISTLING CONTINUES WHILE IT IS IDLING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. I AM CONCERNED OF WHAT IT IS AND ALSO FIND IT NOT ACCEPTABLE TO HAVE TO PUT UP WITH THE NOISE CONSTANTLY, ESPECIALLY BEING ONLY 2 YRS. 4 MO. OLD AND LESS THAT 25,000 MILES. OBVIOUSLY IT IS A DEFECT BY GM AND THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING IT ASAP AS I'M NOT SURE IF THE NOISE IS ALL THERE IS TO IT AS FAR AS SAFETY. THE TECHNICIANS AT THE DEALERSHIP WORKED ON IT, PUT IN A NEW DEFIBULATOR, TOOK IT BACK OUT AND SAID THEY CALLED GMC. ACCORDING TO THE TECHNICIAN, GM SAID ALL ENCLAVES MAKE THE SAME NOISE. I AM IRATE AS NOT ONE ON THE LOT MAKES THE NOISE NOR DO ANY OTHER'S THAT I KNOW PEOPLE DRIVE. I DID NOT PAY CLOSE TO $40,000 FOR A LUXURY VEHICLE THAT SOUNDS LIKE A 15 YEAR OLD CLUNKER IN WHICH AGAIN IS EMBARRASSING AS WELL NEEDS TO BE RECKONED WITH BEFORE MY NEXT DESCRIPTION MAY BE A BIG SAFETY ISSUE TOO! .................. TAKE CARE OF YOUR CONSUMERS GMC AS INTEGRITY SHOULD BE #1 IN YOUR COMPANY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342796

22,300 miles · Feb 12, 2010

Power Train

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08 BUICK ENCLAVE NORMALLY DOWNSHIFTS AND UPSHIFTS ALL THE WAY UP A HILL. TOOK IN THREE TIMES AND THEY SAID EVERYTHING CHECKS OUT NORMAL, JUST DRIVE IT. THEN DRIVING OUT TO ARIZONA, IT STARTED OUT DOWNSHIFTING AT THE START OF A HILL AND UPSHIFTING AT THE TOP OF THE HILL LIKE A NORMAL CAR. THEN ONCE EVERY FIVE TO TEN HILLS IT WOULD NOT UPSHIFT AT THE TOP OF THE HILL UNTIL I SHUT OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. ONCE I WENT FIVE MILES DOWNHILL BEFORE I SHUT OFF THE CRUISE AND IT UPSHIFTED. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FEW MILES THEY DROVE IT, THEY COULD NOT MAKE IT HAPPEN. THEY SAID THERE WERE NO CODES SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, SO JUST DRIVE IT LIKE IT IS, AS ITS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAD ALSO HAPPENED ONLY ONCE BEFORE WHEN IT WAS NEW,BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING EITHER. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS CONNECTED OR NOT, BUT IF I WANT TO ACCELERATE SLOWLY,I HAVE TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL DOWN FARTHER AND THEN BACK OFF QUICKLY TO NOT ACCELERATE TOO FAST. I SURE HOPE THEY CAN COME UP WITH A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310082

35,000 miles · Dec 10, 2009

Power Train

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BUICK ENCLAVE STOPS SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING ON HIGHWAY DUE TO SOME SORT OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE. OCCUPANTS IN VEHICLE NARROWLY ESCAPE SERIOUS INJURY FROM POSSIBLE REAR END COLLISION. ONSTAR DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS SOME SORT OF TRANSMISSION RELATED FAILURE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BUICK SERVICE FACILITY. GM TECHNICAL SUPPORT RECOMMENDED THAT ELECTRONIC CODES BE RESET AND VEHICLE IS TO BE RETURNED TO CUSTOMER. CUSTOMER PICKED UP VEHICLE AND VEHICLE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN ONE HOUR LATER ON SAME DAY. ONSTAR DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AGAIN, THIS TIME A SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT PROBLEM RELATING TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. VEHICLE IS BUICK SHOP AGAIN WAITING FOR GM SOLUTION TO FIXING PROBLEM. FIX IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. EXACT CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295185

29,000 miles · Oct 15, 2009

Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS HE EXPERIENCES A VIOLENT VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP , AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44000. THE FAILURE MIL…

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NHTSA ODI #10287487

15,234 miles · Sep 21, 2009

Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS WHILE IT WAS IN DRIVE ON A HIL AND STALLEDL. THE BUICK DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO ERROR CODES TO INSTRUCT THEM ON WHAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE COULD BE TOO HEAVY FOR THE TRA…

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NHTSA ODI #10284760

10 miles · Aug 18, 2009

Power Train

FROM THE DAY OF PURCHASE MY BUICK ENCLAVE HAS FAILED TO ACHIEVE THE RATED THE FUEL EFFICIENCY (12 MPG INITIALLY UPTO 14MPG 18MOS AND NUMEROUS TRIPS BACK TO DEALERSHIPS. BASICALLY COMPUTER CHECKS AND ADJUSTMENTS WERE DONE. FINALLY, LAST MONTH A VALVE JOB WAS DONE, AS WELL AS SOME TRANSMISSION WORK AND NOW MY FUEL EFFICIENCY …

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NHTSA ODI #10280929

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2008

Power Train

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2008 BUICK ENCLAVE THAT HAS HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FOR 8 MONTHS (NEW CAR WAS PICKED UP IN AUGUST OF 2007). AFTER SEVERAL SERVICE ATTEMPTS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, IT STILL DOESN'T PERFORM LIKE IT SHOULD. TODAY WHEN DRIVING THE CAR THE ENGINE WAS RACING TO OVER 4,000 RPM WHILE DRIVING DOWN A 35 MPH ROAD -- THOUGHT THE THING WAS GOING TO BLOW UP BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR. ALSO HAD WATER (FROM RAIN) ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR AFTER IT RAINED DUE TO FAULTY RAIL CONNECTORS (NOT SEALED) ON TOP OF CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10225003

Official recalls

21V782000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Oct 7, 2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212349040.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 3, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 10, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212349040.

Air Bags:frontal

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

15V415000 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate

Jun 30, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.

14V118000 · Air Bags:side/window

Mar 17, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.

10V240000 · Electrical System

Jun 4, 2010

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

08V441000 · Electrical System

Aug 28, 2008

GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL, SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WIPER WASHER FLUID SYSTEM. A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLUID HEATER MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR, OR CAUSE SMOKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM, GMC AT 1-866-996-9436; OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493; OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

08V410000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages

Aug 14, 2008

GM IS RECALLING 88,809 MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE, AND MY 2007-2008 GMC ACADIA AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES CURRENTLY OR PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IF A BUILDUP OF SNOW OR ICE ON THE WINDSHIELD OR ON THE WIPERS RESTRICTS THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIPER ARM, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE MOTOR SHAFT AND THE WIPERS MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIPER CRANK ARM, DRIVER'S SIDE LINK, AND A CRANK ARM NUT. THE RECALL BEGAN O OCTOBER 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

EA08010 · NON-CRASH Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Jun 12, 2008 · Closed Sep 8, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery; Electrical System:wiring; Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood; Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers; Engine And Engine Cooling; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:switch/wiring

IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 27, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-441) TO ADDRESS A SAFETY RELATEDDEFECT THAT CAN RESULT IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IN APPROXIMATELY 850,000 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID OPTION.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES OF THIS INVESTIGATION COMPRISE OVER THREE-QUARTERS OF THE RECALL POPULATION. ACCORDING TO GM, A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID HEATER MODULE MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE. THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR OR CAUSE SMOKE AND IN RARE CASES IT MAY CAUSE A FIRE.AS A REMEDY, GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE. IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, SEVERAL OTHER GM MODELS WITH THE HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID OPTION ARE INCLUDED IN RECALL 08V-441: MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE (MANUFACTURED AUGUST 2005 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2007); MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE (MANUFACTURED FEBRUARY 2007 THROUGH APRIL 2007); MY 2006-2008 CADILLAC DTS (MANUFACTURED MAY 2007 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2007); MY 2007-2008 SATURN OUTLOOK (MANUFACTURED AUGUST 2006 THROUGH APRIL 2007); AND MY 2007-2008 GMC ACADIA (MANUFACTURED AUGUST 2006 THROUGH APRIL 2007) VEHICLES.GM IS INSTRUCTING OWNERS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR SERVICE IF THEY EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS OF WINDSHIELD WASHER HEATER MODULE SHORT CIRCUITS. GM'S RECALL RESOLVES THE SAFETY DEFECT CONCERNS PURSUED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (9)

Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery

Electrical System

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Electrical System:wiring

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Engine And Engine Cooling

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:switch/wiring