Power Train. Review the 279 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 153 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 150 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports13 fire reports24 injury reports

Engine complaints

124 reports

Clear category filter

148,000 miles · Mar 10, 2017

Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2008 ACADIA WHICH IS EQUIPPED WITH A TIMING CHAIN THAT HAS BEEN KNOWN BY GENERAL MOTORS TO PREMATURELY STRETCH AND FAIL, AND WHICH CAN CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS, AS WELL AS ACTIVATE CERTAIN SENSORS EITHER PREMATURELY OR NOT AT ALL. YOUR ENGINE AND KEY COMPONENTS AND CRANKSHAFTS AND SENSORS RELY ON THE TIMING CHAIN IN ORDER TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING IN YOUR VEHICLE AND THE TIMING CHAIN GETS STRETCHED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES ON, THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WILL POWER DOWN AND SHUT OFF, A LOUD BUZZING SOUND WILL OCCUR AND HOPE TO GOD YOU ARE NOT ON THE HIGHWAY, BECAUSE GENERAL MOTORS KNOWS ABOUT THE DEFECT BUT STILL WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL ON THE PREMATURELY STRETCHED TIMING CHAINS DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE COST OF REPAIR. THEY HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE ON CERTAIN SIMILAR MODELS IN 2007 AND 2009, AND HAVE OFFER FULL REPLACEMENT OF THE TIMING CHAIN UP TO 10 YEARS AND 120,000 MILES, BUT DESPITE THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRING IN VEHICLES MADE IN 2008 WITH THE SAME DEFECTS, THEY HAVE DENIED MY SERVICE REQUEST. THIS A VERY COSTLY AND EXTREMELY UNSAFE CONDITION TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN. IT IS TERRIFYING WHEN YOUR ENGINE MISFIRES AND POWERS DOWN, AND YOUR WARNING LIGHTS FLASH WITH A LOUD BUZZING ALARM SOUND BLARING THROUGH THE SPEAKERS. THE TRACTION CONTROL, STABILITRAK SYSTEM, AND AIRBAG SENSORS ARE ALL ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN AS WELL, AND THE MANUFACTURER IS WELL AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND UNFORTUNATELY WILL PROBABLY NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN. I'M SO DISAPPOINTED IN THIS VEHICLE AND THE LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGH THE MANUFACTURER. THEY KNOW IT'S A PROBLEM. THEY ARE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THEY EVEN EXTENDED COVERAGE TO REPLACE UP UNTIL A CERTAIN POINT, BUT BEYOND THAT, THEY DO NOT CARE.

NHTSA ODI #10959915

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2017

EngineUnknown Or Other

I'M HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS DIAGNOSED BY TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS. I FOUND THAT GMC ANNOUNCED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS SPECIFIC REPAIR. HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD GMC MIGHT NOT COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS "TOO NEW," SO I HAVE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE MY CAR -- WITH THE PROBLEM -- UNTIL IT BECOMES SEVE…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10939756

145,000 miles · Dec 6, 2016

Engine

Read full complaint

TAKATA RECALL. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2012 AND IN 2014 I NOTICED THE ANTIFREEZE WAS LOW. I FILLED IT WITH DEXCOOL AND WATCHED IT. OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS THE CAR HAS BEEN IN CLOSE TO 20 TIMES BECAUSE THE COOLANT IS LOW. RECENTLY I NOTICED THE CAR HAD A CLASS III LEAK OF DEXCOOL COMING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL AREA, I TOOK IT AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE PRESSURE RELEASE AND I HAD OVERFILLED IT. YESTERDAY WHILE DRIVING ON THE AUTOBAHN IN SPEEDS OF 90+ MPH THE BATTERY LEVEL DROPPED ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE RIGHT FRONT ENGINE AREA WAS STEAMING. I HAVE TAKEN TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND I AM STILL WAITING TO HEAR WHAT IS WRONG. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO MANY GMC DEALERS EACH SAYING THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THE PROBLEM BUT AREN'T ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. NONE OF THE LIGHTS WERE ON AND THE CAR HAS NEVER OVERHEATED EVEN YESTERDAY THE TEMP WAS STILL NORMAL. THERE IS NOW A PUDDLE OF DEXCOOL WHERE THE CAR IS PARKED AT THE SHOP AND BECAUSE I AM STATIONED IN GERMANY NOW AND CAN'T TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10930252

73,126 miles · Sep 14, 2016

Engine

Read full complaint

I NOTICED A LEAK IN MY DRIVEWAY UNDER MY 2008 ACADIA. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP SO THEY COULD FIND OUT WHERE IT WAS LEAKING. THEY FOUND THE ENGINE LEAKING IN SEVERAL PLACES INCLUDING THE FRONT COVER. IN ADDITION TO THE ENGINE LEAKING, THEY ALSO FOUND THE WATER PUMP TO BE LEAKING AND IN NEED OF BEING REPLACED. WHILE PUTTING NEW SEALS IN THE ENGINE, THEY FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAINS WERE SHOWING SIGNS OF WEAR AS WELL. ALL IN ALL, THE CAR NEEDED SEVERAL SEALS REPLACED, THE TIMING CHAINS REPLACED, THE WATER PUMP REPLACED, AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 73000 MILES ON IT!

NHTSA ODI #10906437

127,000 miles · Aug 18, 2016

EngineService BrakesSteering

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS IN 90+ DEGREE WEATHER, THE 2008 GMC ACADIA EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. ENGINE QUIT ALONG WITH ALL ELECTRONICS, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. LET CAR SIT FOR 20 MINUTES AND IT STARTED UP AND DROVE FINE FOR A WEEK OR SO THEN THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES WITHIN 5 WEEKS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND TWO DEALERSHIPS. OF THOSE DEALERSHIPS, WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL AUTONATION GMC DEALER 3 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF 2 WEEKS AND ALL GROUPS WHO HAVE LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND AND "CODES" AFTER RUNNING THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS. WE HAVE REQUESTED AN ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER TO BE ORDERED FROM AUTONATION GMC PARK MEADOWS (CO) BUT HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY AND INTERSTATE SPEEDS. HAVE RESEARCHED OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME SITUATION ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE.

NHTSA ODI #10896897

85,000 miles · Jul 22, 2016

EnginePower Train

Read full complaint

OIL CHANGES AT DEALER PERFORMED EVERY 3K MILES. AT 88K MILES, SHORTLY AFTER DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED. FULL DIAGNOSTICS PERFORMED BY LOCAL DEALER STATED TIMING CHAIN BUFFERS WERE BEGINNING TO FAIL. EST COST $3500. ADVISED THAT SINCE THE LIGHT COMES ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY, OKAY TO WAIT TO SEE IF PROBLEM WORSENS, WHICH MAY BE MANY YEARS, IF EVER. AT 92K MILES, WHILE ON HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T SHIFT GEARS, RPM'S CLIMBED, PULLED OVER VEHICLE WHERE IT STALLED AND WOULDN'T RESTART. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, WHERE TESTED AND DETERMINED THAT ENGINE NEEDS REPLACEMENT DUE TO LOUD METALIC ENGINE NOISE AND METAL SHAVINGS IN OIL. ESTIMATED REPAIRS FROM TWO GMC DEALERS OF $6600 TO $7600 FOR RE-MANUFACTURED ENGINE. LOCAL DEALERS HAVE STATED THAT TIMING CHAIN BUFFERS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2008 GMC ACADIA AND VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED, BUT IS NOT DUE TO THE COST OF ENGINE REPLACEMENT. CONTACTED GMC (BELVA - SENIOR CASE ANALYST) TO DESCRIBE CASE AND THEY RESPONDED THAT THEY WILL NOT ASSIST IN THE REPAIRS BECAUSE: 1) VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED - STATING THAT ALL SUCH PURCHASES ARE 'AS-IS' FROM DEALER AND ITS UP TO THE CONSUMER TO DO DUE-DILEGENCE BEFORE PURCHASING, 2) VEHICLE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY EXPIRED BY DATE SHORTLY BEFORE PURCHASE, AND 3) POWER TRAIN WARRANTY IS NOW 3 YEARS PAST THE DATE, REGARDLESS OF WHEN ISSUE FIRST APPEARED. GMC SENIOR ADVISOR ALSO STATED THE SHE RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED GM PRODUCT, AND THE ENGINE FAILED SHORTLY AFTERWARD AT 100K MILES, AND GM WILL NOT ASSIST HER EITHER, AS THAT IS ALSO OUT OF THE DATE RANGE OF THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. ENGINE WAS MANUFACTURED IN THE K-GM (SAINT CATHARINES, ONTARIO) PLANT.

NHTSA ODI #10887706

7,600 miles · Jul 2, 2016

EngineFuel/propulsion System

Read full complaint

PURCHASED NEW, HAVE HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS 2011 :WATER PUMP FAILED, AND ENGINE OIL LEAK NEW PUMP AND GASKETS,2012: OIL PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACED, 2013: WAVE PLATE BROKEN SENT METAL THROUGH TRANSMISSION MAJOR TRANSMISSION REPAIR, FRONT AND REAR A/C FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. 2014: MASTER CYLINDER LEAKING - REPLACED. 2016: PURGE SOLENOID STUCK OPEN WAS REPLACED, OIL LEAK- TIMING COVER LEAKING (DID NOT REPLACE- TOO EXPENSIVE)- MULTIPLE CALLS TO GMC AND DEALING WITH THE DEALER NOT SATISFIED AND FEEL THE CAR IS A SAFETY RISK.

NHTSA ODI #10882206

86,000 miles · Jun 21, 2016

Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineSteering

MY 2008 ACADIA IS NOW ON IT'S 4TH THERMOSTAT. I'M ABOUT TO SEND IT IN TO HAVE IT REPLACED. MY SUV KEEPS OVERHEATING. SO FAR I HAVE REPLACED THE RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT, AND STABILITY TRACK. IS THERE ANY ONE ELSE WHO HAS THIS PROBLEM?

NHTSA ODI #10875489

50,000 miles · Apr 13, 2016

Engine

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. ..UPDATED 05/19/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN 11340A. UPDATED 10/17/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI #10855312

110,000 miles · Mar 31, 2016

EnginePower Train

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AGAIN WHERE THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AGAIN. THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE OIL COAGULATED AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10852753

Official recalls

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

DP12003 · Loss Of Headlamp Illumination

Opened Jun 4, 2012 · Closed Jul 24, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights

As of July 16, 2014, out of a population of 248,453 subject vehicles, NHTSA received 473 consumer complaints of inoperative head lamp. Many of these complaints indicated that the head lamp harness suffered damage from overheating. After reviewing the complaints, ODI found: -69% (328) alleged that a single head lamp was inoperative. -18% (86) alleged that both head lamps were inoperative but not at the same time. -9% (41) alleged that both head lamps were inoperative but the complaints did not indicate whether the failures had occurred at the same time. -4% (17) alleged that both head lamps were inoperative at the same time. -One additional complaint cited wire harness damage to both sides but did not specify an outage -No crashes or loss of vehicle control were reported. -Any alleged thermal damages were limited to melting of the head lamp harness and the head lamp housing. -A head lamp would intermittently fail to come on or flickers before becoming completely inoperative. For the seventeen complaints that alleged simultaneous failure of both head lamps while attempting to turn them on or while driving, the head lamp failures likely had occurred one at a time. The subject vehicle's head lamps are connected in a parallel circuit and each circuit is fused. Therefore, failure of one head lamp or its harness should not affect the other head lamp operation. Over the last 25 years, ODI has opened numerous defect investigations of the loss of headlamp illumination.Investigations that resulted in safety recalls involved simultaneous loss of illumination from both headlamps. NHTSA does not consider the loss of a single headlamp as presenting an unreasonable safety risk-such failures are readily detectable by the driver while allowing the vehicle to retain forward visibility and conspicuity from the remaining headlamp.There is typically enough time between the failure of the first headlamp and the second during which the vehicle operator can obtain the needed repairs. Based on the information currently available, NHTSA does not believe that the headlamp condition as alleged by the petitioner indicates the likelihood of a safety-related defect that would warrant a formal investigation.Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is denied.Further specifics can be found in the Federal Register Notice ODI complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

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