NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
58 reportsClear category filter126,000 miles · Aug 14, 2007
Power Train
HAVE A 1997 TAHOE TWO DOOR 4X4 WITH 126,000 MILES... TRANSMISSION HOUSING CRACKED YESTERDAY. UPON INVESTIGATION I SEE THAT CHEVROLET HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER TEN YEARS AND HAVE YET TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH CHEVY. AND THEIR QUALITY OF WORKMANSHIP. I HOPE SOMETHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT THI…
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HAVE A 1997 TAHOE TWO DOOR 4X4 WITH 126,000 MILES... TRANSMISSION HOUSING CRACKED YESTERDAY. UPON INVESTIGATION I SEE THAT CHEVROLET HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER TEN YEARS AND HAVE YET TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH CHEVY. AND THEIR QUALITY OF WORKMANSHIP. I HOPE SOMETHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT THIS FOR THE AMERICAN CONSUMER. SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A TOYOTA LIKE MY FRIENDS SAID HA HA. SERIOUSLY, QUALITY SHOULD COME BEFORE PROFIT!!!!. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10199599
125,000 miles · Jan 28, 2007
Power Train
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. EXTREMELY COMMON TO MY 97 CHEVY TAHOE. REQUIRED COMPLETE REBUILD AND LOTS OF MONEY. I CALLED PROBABLY A DOZEN TRANSMISSION REPAIR FACILITIES AND ALMOST ALL SAID I WAS LUCKY I MADE IT TO SO MANY MILES BEFORE THIS HAPPENED AS IT IS VERY COMMON IN THIS TRANSMISSION. ALL SAY IT COMES FROM A STRUCTURAL…
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. EXTREMELY COMMON TO MY 97 CHEVY TAHOE. REQUIRED COMPLETE REBUILD AND LOTS OF MONEY. I CALLED PROBABLY A DOZEN TRANSMISSION REPAIR FACILITIES AND ALMOST ALL SAID I WAS LUCKY I MADE IT TO SO MANY MILES BEFORE THIS HAPPENED AS IT IS VERY COMMON IN THIS TRANSMISSION. ALL SAY IT COMES FROM A STRUCTURALLY FLAWED IN DESIGN PIECE IN THE TRANS THAT BREAKS AND OF COURSE COMPLETELY CONTAMINATES THE TRANS WITH METAL AND DESTROYS THE MAJORITY OF THE REMAINING PARTS.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10180922
97,254 miles · May 19, 2005
Power Train
NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS: LIGHT TRAFFIC, NON-TOWING, NON-FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE
NHTSA ODI #10121435
228,000 miles · Dec 1, 2004
Power Train
NOTICED A HUMMING VIBRATION UNDER ACCELERATION. HAD TRANSMISSION SERVICED BUT PROBLEM PERSISTED. THEN WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (70) WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND RPMS JUMPED WAY UP. VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION CASES WAS CRA…
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NOTICED A HUMMING VIBRATION UNDER ACCELERATION. HAD TRANSMISSION SERVICED BUT PROBLEM PERSISTED. THEN WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (70) WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND RPMS JUMPED WAY UP. VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION CASES WAS CRACKED. THE CRACK OCCURED DUE TO THE U-JOINT BREAKING. THE U-JOINT COULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED FOR UNDER $100 BUT NOW TO FIX THE TRUCK WILL COST $1700. BAD DESIGN IN MY OPINION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10100848
95,000 miles · Sep 27, 2004
Power Train
MY 1997 CHEVROLET TAHOE TRANSMISSION JUST FAILED. HAVE NO 2ND, 4TH OR REVERSE GEARS, ALWAYS WORKED PERFECT UNTIL NOW. AFTER A WEB SEARCH FOUND OUT THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING VERY MUCH. SUN GEAR SHELL BREAKING ON 4L60E TRANSMISSIONS. THERE IS A BIG DEFECT AND GM HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEMS TO ALL THE GM OWNERS. SEEMS THEY…
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MY 1997 CHEVROLET TAHOE TRANSMISSION JUST FAILED. HAVE NO 2ND, 4TH OR REVERSE GEARS, ALWAYS WORKED PERFECT UNTIL NOW. AFTER A WEB SEARCH FOUND OUT THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING VERY MUCH. SUN GEAR SHELL BREAKING ON 4L60E TRANSMISSIONS. THERE IS A BIG DEFECT AND GM HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEMS TO ALL THE GM OWNERS. SEEMS THEY CUT BACK A LITTLE MUCH ON QUALITY CONTROL THIS TIME AND DON'T SEEM TO CARE ABOUT IT FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN. YOU PROBABLY HEARD ABOUT IT BEFORE. PLEASE HELP US GET THIS PROBLEM RECALLED. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY REPAIRS DONE YET. KEEP HEARING $2000 TO $2500 T0 FIX THIS $40 PART. DEALERS WANT TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION WITH NEW ONE JUST OF THIS PORBLEM. DOES IT SEEM RIGHT TO YOU?*AK
NHTSA ODI #10093199
51,000 miles · Jul 28, 2004
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS SYSTEM COMES ON AT LOW SPEEDS WITHOUT BRAKE PRESSED-VEHICLE THEN IS HARD TO STOP AND PULLS TO THE RIGHT. I HAVE REPLACED ALL PADS AND CALIPERS.MACHINE BLED SYSTEM AND REPLACED LEFT FRT SPEED SENSOR. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT HUBS ARE EXPOSED AND MOST OF THE TIME TEAR APART AND CLEANING SOLVES. AM UPSET THE D…
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ABS SYSTEM COMES ON AT LOW SPEEDS WITHOUT BRAKE PRESSED-VEHICLE THEN IS HARD TO STOP AND PULLS TO THE RIGHT. I HAVE REPLACED ALL PADS AND CALIPERS.MACHINE BLED SYSTEM AND REPLACED LEFT FRT SPEED SENSOR. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT HUBS ARE EXPOSED AND MOST OF THE TIME TEAR APART AND CLEANING SOLVES. AM UPSET THE DEALER CHARGED A DIAGNOSTIC FEE FOR SOMETHING HE COULD HAVE TOLD ME ON THE PHONE!*AK
NHTSA ODI #10082875
95,000 miles · Jun 7, 2004
Power Train
AT ABOUT 95,000 MILES THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMIITTENLY AFTER THE TRUCK HAS BEEN DRIVEN 20 TO 30 MILES, AFTER COMING TO A STOP, THE AUTO TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO SECOND SO HARD, IT FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO COME OUT OF THE TRUCK. ONCE THE TRUCK IS PUT IN PARK AND TURNED OFF, IT IS GOOD AGAIN UNTIL IT HAS…
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AT ABOUT 95,000 MILES THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMIITTENLY AFTER THE TRUCK HAS BEEN DRIVEN 20 TO 30 MILES, AFTER COMING TO A STOP, THE AUTO TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM 1ST TO SECOND SO HARD, IT FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO COME OUT OF THE TRUCK. ONCE THE TRUCK IS PUT IN PARK AND TURNED OFF, IT IS GOOD AGAIN UNTIL IT HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR 20 TO 30 MILES. UPON DOING SOME ONLINE RESEACH, CALLING A DEALER AND LOCAL MECHANIC, I HAVE FOUNT THAT IT CAN BE ONE OF THREE THINGS: 1) A STICKING SHIFT VALVE 2) ACCUMULATOR PISTON OR 3) A SERVO. NO ONE CAN TELL WHAT IT IS WITHOUT TEARING THE TRANSMISSION APART. I HAVE ALSO FOUND THIS IS ALL TOO COMMOM A PROBLEM FOR THIS TRANSMISSION. SHOULD BE A RECALL, WIILLL KEEP ME FROM EVER BUYING ANOTHER GM PRODUCT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10074911
50,000 miles · Apr 29, 2004
Power Train
THE FAILURES INITIATED BACK IN JUNE (27TH) 2001. AN HOUR ON THE NYS THRUWAY FROM BUFFALO GOING TOWARDS PENN STATELINE. THE TRANSMISSION BLEW, THROWING FLUIDS EVERYWHERE. TOWED TO CONTINENTAL TRANSMISSION. PAID FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO BE REPLACED. WITHIN THE END OF THE 1 YEAR WARRANTY, THE TRANSISSION BEGAN SLIPPING AND BUMPIN…
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THE FAILURES INITIATED BACK IN JUNE (27TH) 2001. AN HOUR ON THE NYS THRUWAY FROM BUFFALO GOING TOWARDS PENN STATELINE. THE TRANSMISSION BLEW, THROWING FLUIDS EVERYWHERE. TOWED TO CONTINENTAL TRANSMISSION. PAID FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO BE REPLACED. WITHIN THE END OF THE 1 YEAR WARRANTY, THE TRANSISSION BEGAN SLIPPING AND BUMPING AFTER 2ND GEAR BEFORE GOING INTO 3RD. THIS WOULD OCCUR AFTER THE TRUCK WAS WARMED UP AND FOLLOWING THRUWAY DRIVING. ONCE YOU EXITED THE THRUWAY, CAME TO A STOP; IT STARTED IMMEDIATELYAND CONSISTENTLY. SEEING AS I DROVE THE THRUWAY EVERYDAY, THE PROBLEM OCCURRED EVERYDAY. TOOK TAHOE BACK TO CONTINENTAL TRANSMISSION. THEY INITALLY DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG AND ASKED THAT WE ADVISE IN THE FUTURE IF IT GOT WORSE. WE TOOK IT BACK AND FORTH, LOSING USE OF THE VEHICAL FOR WEEKS AT A TIME. FINALLY, IN JAN 2004, THE TRANNY JUST STOPPED ALTOGETHER AND WE HAD TO TOW TO CONTINENTAL. THE TRUCK SUPPOSEDLY HAD ANOTHER TRANNY REPLACEMEMT, AS WELL AS REPLACEMENT OF THE COMPUTER. ONCE AGAIN, WE WERE WITHOUT THE TRUCK FOR 4+ WEEKS. WE PICKED IT UP AND THE THE NEXT DAY, FLUID ALL OVER THE GARAGE FLOOR (OF A NEWLY BUILT HOME!). TOOK IT BACK, ANOTHER WEEK WENT BY. PICKED IT UP, WITHIN ANOTHER MONTH, TRANNY WAS NOT KICKING INTO 3RD...AGAIN. TOOK THE TAHOE BACK TO CONTINENTAL, SUPPOSEDLY ALL NEW PARTS WERE PUT INTO THE TAHOE. YESTERDAY, SAME PROBLEM, TRANNY NOT KICKING INTO 3RD, WHEN IT TRIES, THE RPM SKYROCKET TO 6000 AND YOU DON'T ACCELERATE. BROUGHT IT BACK TO CONTINENTAL THIS MORNING. THEY CALLED TO TELL ME THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THEY CAN'T GET US A NEW TRANNY, MAYBE A REMANUFACTURED TRANNY, BUT THEY WILL LET ME KNOW AFTER THEY CONTACT THE DEALER. AM I THE ONLY OWNER OF A 1997 CHEVY TAHOE THAT HAS EXPERIENCED THESE EXTENSIVE DEFECTS WITH A GM AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION? THIS IS A TRAVESTY! PLEASE FOLLOWUP WITH CONTINENTAL TRANSMISSION, THEIR NUMBER IS 716-828-1121, ASK FOR PAT, THE OWNER. HE IS JUST AS FRUSTRATED OVER THIS AS I AM!
NHTSA ODI #10068056
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2004
Power Train
PROUD OWNERS OF 1997 TAHOE. IN THE PAST YEAR WE HAVE: REPLACED REAR AXLE SEALS TWICE, REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER, REPLACED THE 4X4 MOTOR, REPAIRED THE RADIATOR,REPLACED 4X4 ACTUATOR, REPLACED FUEL INJECTOR (THIRD TIME), REPLACED THE UPPER INTAKE GASKET, HAD THE TRANSFER CASE REBUILT, REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR TWICE, REPLACE…
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PROUD OWNERS OF 1997 TAHOE. IN THE PAST YEAR WE HAVE: REPLACED REAR AXLE SEALS TWICE, REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER, REPLACED THE 4X4 MOTOR, REPAIRED THE RADIATOR,REPLACED 4X4 ACTUATOR, REPLACED FUEL INJECTOR (THIRD TIME), REPLACED THE UPPER INTAKE GASKET, HAD THE TRANSFER CASE REBUILT, REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR TWICE, REPLACED THE MANIFOLD GASKET AND A FUEL NOZZLE. CAR HAS HAD RECURRING PROBLEM OF COOLANT DISAPPEARING FROM RESERVE TANK WHILE NO LEAKS COULD BE FOUND. WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND LEVEL GETS LOW THE VEHICLE WILL SHIFT VERY HARD FROM FIRST TO SECOND ALMOST JUMPING WHEN YOU HIT TEN MPH. WHEN YOU STOP AND ADD COOLANT THIS STOPS. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE LEAK HAS FINALLY BEEN LOCATED IN A VERY SMALL HOSE BUT NOW I'M BEING TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT QUICKLY AND MUST BE REPLACED. GREAT VEHICLE!*AK
NHTSA ODI #10060262
65,900 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Power Train
TRANSMISSION: I BELIEVE THE PART IS CALLED THE REVERSE DRUM IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR WOULD NOT REVERSE AND HAD A DIFFICULT TIME SHIFTING FROM 1RST TO 2ND. THE FIRST TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 32,700 MILES AND REPLACED BY GM (UNDER WARRANTY) WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSION FROM FACTORY PER GM, FOR SAME PROBLEM, SHIFTING AND REVERS…
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TRANSMISSION: I BELIEVE THE PART IS CALLED THE REVERSE DRUM IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR WOULD NOT REVERSE AND HAD A DIFFICULT TIME SHIFTING FROM 1RST TO 2ND. THE FIRST TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 32,700 MILES AND REPLACED BY GM (UNDER WARRANTY) WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSION FROM FACTORY PER GM, FOR SAME PROBLEM, SHIFTING AND REVERSE. SINCE CAR MANUFACTURED IN 1997 THIS IS IT'S THIRD TRANSMISSION AND IT HAS LESS THAN 66K MILES ON IT AND IS USED 99% OF THE TIME FOR OPEN ROAD TRIPS ONLY. WHEN I HAD THIS PROBLEM AGAIN I WAS DRIVING ON AN OPEN HIGHWAY (ROAD TRIP). PER REPAIR SHOP MECHANIC: REVERSE DRUM WAS DEFECTIVE, CHEAPLY BUILT AND CONSTRUCTED TO FAIL. ALSO, MY VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WAS THE MECHANIC'S 16TH CHEVROLET TRANSMISSION REPAIR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON CHEVROLET VEHICLES IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. HE KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS WHEN I EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED RE: NOISES, AND HOW IT DROVE, REVERSE ETC... AND HE VERIFIED SAME BY THE TRANSMISSION CHECK AND WORK PERFORMED. HE SAVED THE PART FOR ME, WHICH I HAVE IN MY POSSESSION. GM WOULD NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY OF THE COST OF REPAIRS SINCE I DECIDED NOT TO LET THEM TEAR THE TRANSMISSION DOWN @ $300.00 COST TO ME TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM, AND , IF I DECIDED I WANTED SOMEONE ELSE TO DO THE WORK, THEY WOULD HAVE TO COME PICK THE BROKEN DOWN TRANSMISSION AND HAUL IT AWAY TO WORK ON IT. IN THE EVENT I WOULD HAVE THE DEALER DO THE WORK, THEN IT WOULD HAVE COST ME APPROX. $3,000.00 WORST CASE SCENARIO, AND MAYBE GM WOULD ASSIST BUT NOT SURE IF THEY WOULD HELP OR NOT OR AT WHAT LEVEL. SINCE THEY REPAIRED THE FIRST TRANSMISSION AND IT WENT OUT AT APPROX. 32K MILES AFTER THAT, I DID NOT HAVE A COMFORT LEVEL THAT THEY WOULD DO A GOOD JOB OR THAT IT WOULD BE REPAIRED. I WAS STUCK ON A ROAD IN THE EARLY EVENING WITH MY ELDERLY MOTHER AND MY SISTER IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME UPON OUR RETURN FROM A DAY AND EVENING TRIP TO RUIDOSO NM, LOCATED APPROX. 2.5 HOURS FROM MY RESIDENCE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT.
NHTSA ODI #10070809
NHTSA investigations
4PE01023 · Seat Belt Anchorage Separation
Opened Jul 17, 2001 · Closed Dec 20, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
ODI HAS RECEIVED ONE (1) COMPLAINT ALLEGING THAT THE 2ND ROW PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT BELT RELEASE BUCKLE ANCHOR DETACHED FROM SEAT FRAME DURING A SIDE IMPACT CRASH.DURING THE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WAS THROWN FROM HIS SEAT, PARTIALLY EJECTED THROUGH THE REAR QUARTER WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE.OCCUPANT SUSTAINED INJURY.GM HAS SUBSEQUENTLY CHANGED SEAT BELT ANCHORING DESIGN IN MY 2000. ODI HAS COMPLETED A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION AND HAS DETERMINED THAT FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO DETERMINE WHETHER A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS.
EA00013 · Battery Leaks Acid
Opened May 2, 2000 · Closed Jun 28, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
PE99073 · Battery Leaks Acid
Opened Dec 3, 1999 · Closed May 2, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
ODI HAS RECEIVED 21 COMPLAINTS WHERE OWNERS ALLEGE THAT THE STANDARD GM FACTORY SUPPLIED AC DELCO BATTERY CASE FAILED, RESULTING IN THE LEAKAGE OF SULFURIC ACID.OF THE 21 COMPLAINT VEHICLES, SIX SUBURBAN, THREE TAHOES, AND ONE YUKON OWNER(S) COMPLAINED ABOUT A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID FROM DETERIORATION OF THE RIGHT FRONTBRAKE LINE AS A RESULT OF SULFURIC ACID CONTAMINATION.THE REMAINING 11 COMPLAINTS PERTAIN PRIMARILY TO SULFURIC ACID LEAKAGE FROM THE BATTERY CASE.AT LEAST ONE COMPLAINANT STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT BATTERY ALSO FAILED.SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINANTS NOTE THAT THE LEAKING ACID HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH A WIRE HARNESS AT THE FRAME IN THE VICINITY OF THE STEEL BRAKE LINE.A FIELD INSPECTION BY ODI INDICATES THAT THE DESCRIBED HARNESS IS THE ABS CONNECTION TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR.PRIOR TO THE BATTERY CASE FAILURE, THERE IS USUALLY NO WARNING (SHORT OF AN UNDERHOOD INSPECTION), AND THE ENSURING DAMAGE (SULFURIC ACID CONTAMINATION) IS PROGRESSIVE.OF THE KNOWN BATTERY FAILURES, THERE MAY BE A TEMPERATURE CORRELATION, AS 60% OF THE OWNER COMPLAINTS CAME FROM FOUR STATES; CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA AND TEXAS.THERE IS ALSO A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND ENGINEERING CHANGE NOTICE TO ADD 1% SILVER TO THE BATTERY'S POSITIVE SIDE TERMINALL, WITH THE EARLIEST IMPLEMENTATION DATE FOR THIS BEING FEB 2, 1998.THE EFFECT OF THIS DESIGN CHANGE IS AS YET UNKNOWN; FURTHER REVIEW IS WARRANTED.AN EA IS BEING OPENED TO GATHER FURTHER APPROPRIATE INFORMATION, CLARIFY ANY DEFECT TRENDS, AND TO ASSESS THE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS AND RISKS CONCERNING THESE FAILURES.
EA99011 · Erratic Power Steering Assist While Driv
Opened May 12, 1999 · Closed Feb 27, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
THE OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATION (ODI) HAS INVESTIGATED ALLEGATIONS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST FLUCTUATIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.FOR DETAILS AND A BASIS FOR THE INVESTIGATION CONCLUSIONS, PLEASE SEE THE CLOSING REPORT IN THE EA99-011 PUBLIC FILE.ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION.FUTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS SUBJECT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.THE ENGINEERING IS CLOSED.