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

Steering complaints

133 reports

Clear category filter

78,800 miles · Mar 23, 2014

Steering

Read full complaint

THREE TIMES IN ONE DAY MY ACADIA GMC 2008, STEERING REFUSED TO RESPOND CORRECTLY. EACH OF THE TREE TIMES IT REFUSED TO STEER. CAR ON NO OTHER TIME HAS SHOWN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE NOW. BUT ONLY PURCHASED USED CAR THREE MONTHS AGO. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH CAR THAT IS NOT BEING HANDLED UNDER A RECALL. STEERING BOX AND POWER STEERING PUMP ON CAR SEEM VERY UNDERPOWERED. ON THE THREE TIMES IT HAPPENED ON 3/20/2014 TWO WHERE ON HIGHWAY DRIVING CONDITIONS IN WHICH I WAS ON AN ON RAMP ATTEMPTING TO NAVIGATE A CIRCLE ON RAMP IN WHICH I ALMOST HAD TO STOP CAR TO PREVENT IT FROM RUNNING OFF ROAD DO TO LACK OF POWER ON TURN. ON ANOTHER I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PERFORM A U-TURN IN WHICH I ALMOST HIT A CUB. U TURN SHOULD HAVE BEEN EASY DO TO THE FACT I HAD THREE LANES TO PERFORM THE TURN. IN THIS CASE I CAME EXTREMELY CLOSE TO CURB AND CLOSE TO DAMAGING CAR DUE TO IMPACT WITH 8 INCH CURB. ALL THREE EVENTS CAME ON SAME TRIP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574228

65,000 miles · Jan 12, 2014

Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

LOCKED UP MAKING A TURN GOING SLOW, PUMP GETTING NOISY, JUST GOT BACK FOR WATER PUMP REPLACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559515

108,000 miles · Jan 9, 2014

Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

Read full complaint

TRANSMISSION STARTED FAILING AND FINALLY WENT OUT AT 108,000 MILES, SITTING IN OUR DRIVEWAY AND WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALER. GM DEALER REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE LABOR COST US SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS. NOW AT 170,000 MILES, THIS REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION IS NOW GOING OUT. IT STICKS IN LOW SPEED AND THEN OVERHEATS DRIVING 65MPH IN 40DEG WEATHER. THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT A STRETCHED TIMING CHAIN HAS TO BE FIXED FIRST, BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION, AT A COST OF $1944. THEY ALSO SAID THE ON BOARD COMPUTER DIDN'T STORE THE NUMEROUS OVERHEATED TRANSMISSION EVENTS THAT BEGAN OCCURRING IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED AT 108,000 MILES. THE GM DEALER IS TRYING TO TELL ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS PROBABLY OK AND THAT THE OVERHEATING IS DUE TO SOME OTHER REASON, BUT HE THEN COULDN'T EVEN GUESS AT WHAT THE OTHER REASONS MIGHT BE! THE FLUID LEVEL IS GOOD, AND THE VEHICLE HAS A TOW PACKAGE WITH A COOLER FOR THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. GM DEALER SAID THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE COVERED BY WARRANTY, WHICH WILL LIKELY MEAN ANOTHER SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLAR LABOR CHARGE ON TOP OF THE SO CALLED STRETCHED TIMING CHAIN COST OF $1,900. THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS BEEN WHINING FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND IS GETTING LOUD. THE NAVIGATION AND DVD PLAYER SYSTEM FAILED TWICE. MIGHT BE TIME TO TRADE THE VEHICLE FOR SOMETHING MORE RELIABLE. MY WIFE IS GETTING SCARED TO DRIVE IT TOO FAR AND END UP BEING BROKEN DOWN IN ATLANTA TRAFFIC...VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559259

54,000 miles · Dec 17, 2013

Power TrainSteeringSuspension

Read full complaint

TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING. I WOULD PULL OUT ONTO A STREET AND IT WOULD SLIP AND I ALMOST GOT HIS BY A CAR. I TOOK IT IN REPEATEDLY TO DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE AND AFTER REPEATEDLY TAKING IT BACK AND THEM KEEPING IT FOR A MONTH THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. REPEATED STEERING ISSUES. I TOOK IT IN CONSTANTLY AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WRONG BUT AFTER LOOKING AT IT MYSELF I FOUND MELTED BUSHING AND AFTER BEING TOLD ALL THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED ALREADY. STEERING PROBLEMS FROM DAY 1. 4 TIMES OF HAVING POWER STEERING REPLACED AND STEERING COLUMN AND EVERY TIME I GOT THE VEHICLE BACK THE VIBRATION WAS WORSE, TODAY I FOUND THE PROBLEM ON MY OWN. THE RACK AND PINION HAS A MAJOR LEAK. NOT SURE HOW REPEATED TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T SEE THIS. MY STEERING ALSO LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING ALMOST HIT A CAR..AND THE DEALERSHIP NEVER HAS LOANERS SO IM STUCK DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE WHILE I WAIT BECAUSE I WAS TOLD I CAN ONLY GO WHERE I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THIS VEHICLE GOES IN TO THE SHOP AND AS SOON AS IT IS PICKED UP IT NEEDS TO GO RIGHT BACK THE SAME DAY. WORST VEHICLE AND MOST UNSAFE OF ANYTHING I'VE EVER OWNED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10556449

15,000 miles · Dec 3, 2013

Steering

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL PUMP WAS REPLACED BUT THE DEFECT WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SECOND DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WAS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN REFERENCE TO THE DEFECT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ODI #10554632

85,000 miles · Nov 2, 2013

Steering

Read full complaint

AT LOW SPEED, POWER STEERING SEEMED TO GO OUT WHILE IN PARKING LOT. THE STEERING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANAGE WITH A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. SHUTTING OFF AND BACK ON, STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AT GM DEALERSHIP IN EVANSVILLE, IN FOR DIAGNOSIS AND RESPONSE WAS THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP, FLUID AND STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. INVESTIGATION ONLINE TURNED UP INFORMATION THAT THIS IS A RELATIVELY COMMON OCCURRENCE BUT GM WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AS IT WAS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550634

93,000 miles · Oct 28, 2013

EnginePower TrainSteering

Read full complaint

GMC ACADIA, CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE, AND STEERING SYSTEM. 23 SEPT 2013, WHILE DRIVING MY GMC ACADIA, AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AFTER A LOUD NOSE CAME FROM THE ENGINE, TUESDAY 24, 2013, SUV TOWED TO PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE AND CHECKING THE SUV OUT, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOT GO FURTHER BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THE VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW ENGINE, I CALL GMC AND TALKED WITH [XXX] A PROBLEM SPECIALIST, ARRANGEMENTS FOR VEHICLE TO BE CHECK OUT AT ?HENNESSEY GMC. POC, [XXX], I HAVE MET WITH BEFORE IN REGARDS TO A RECALL, AND TOLD HIM ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THAT I HEARD SOME SOUNDS COMING FROM THE ENGINE, I WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING. 25 SEPT 2013 SUV LEFT AT SHOP, [XXX]WOULD CALL ME THAT DAY. I DIDN'T HEAR FROM HIM, 1 OCT 2013 I STOP BY HENNESSEY, ON THE SUV'S PROBLEM, SPOKE TO [XXX], I STATED THAT I BEEN WAITING FOR HIS CALL, THEY WERE STILL CHECKING IT OUT, BUT GMC ONLY PAYING FOR ONE HOUR, TO OPEN UP THE ENGINE, IT MAY COST $500 TO $ 600 DOLLARS. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE. ARMY MOTOR SERGEANT/ MASTER MECHANIC, RESPONSIBLE FOR (AOAP), ARMY OIL ANALYSTS PROGRAM, THIS USES LABS THAT ANALYZE THE OIL PULL FROM ?ENGINES, TRANSMISSIONS, OF VEHICLES SUCH AS GMC, FORD, CHRYSLER, AND OTHER MANUFACTURES. 3,000 MILES OR BI-ANNUALLY VEHICLES I.E. HUMMVE. THE MILITARY LEARN DECADES AGO THAT VEHICLE MANUFACTURES WILL DELIVERY VEHICLES WITH DEFECTED PARTS, SUCH AS ENGINES, TRANSMISSIONS, THAT CAN BE OUT OF TOLERANCE. THE ARMY STARTED PULLING OIL SAMPLES, AND SENDING THEM TO THE LABS FOR TEST, FOR WATER, METAL, AND ANY OTHER FOREIGN MATTER, THIS HELP TO IDENTIFY ISSUES IN THE ENGINE BEFORE THE ?WARRANTIES EXPIRED. SO THE SUGGESTED FAILURE THAT MANUFACTURES PLACED ON VEHICLES THAT COVERED THEIR BOTTOM LINE. $2,000 CREDIT TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE FROM THEM IS A INSULT, I HAVE THIS IN WRITING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10549740

83,000 miles · Sep 23, 2013

Steering

Read full complaint

FOR SEVERAL WEEK I HAVE BEEN HAVING POWER STEERING PROBLEMS WITH THE GMC ACADIA. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAD A "NOISY" POWER STEERING SINCE NEW AND I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. THE SERIVCE PERSONAL SAID THAT GMC WAS AWARE OF ISSUES BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE A "FIX". THE VEHICLE IS EXTREMLY HARD TO TURN A LOW SPEED AS IF THE POWER STEER IS NOT FUNCTIONING. MY WIFE IS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE STRENGTH REQUIRE TO TURN THE WHEEL AND I WILL NOT ALLOW HER TO DRIVE IT WITH OUR CHILDREN DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. THIS PAST WEEKEND I WENT OFF THE ROAD (OVER THE CURB) WHILE TURNING INTO A SUBDIVISION SINCE THE STEERING SEEMED TO "LOCK UP". I HAVE READ NUMEROUS REPORTS ON THE INTERNET OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT GMA IS AWARE OF BUT HAS NOT OFFER ANY RECALL OR ASSISTANCE TO REPAIR THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THE COST OF REPAIR IS NEARLY $2000.00. I FEEL THAT GMC SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX THIS ISSUES AS IT IS MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA ODI #10544929

77,700 miles · Sep 17, 2013

Power TrainSteering

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC ACADIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND BECAME HARD TURN WHEN PARKING OR WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO FLUSHED THE POWER STEERING LINES. THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000. UPDATED 11/19/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WAVE PLATE AND TIMING CHAIN WERE BOTH REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE STEERING GEAR BOX PUMP WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. UPDATED 12/2/2013 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10544008

73,000 miles · Aug 30, 2013

Steering

Read full complaint

POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT WORK.. PULLED INTO PARKING SPOT AND THE VEH STARTED A LOUD SCREACHING SOUND FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. AGAIN WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD THE STEERING COMPLETELY CUTS OUT. IN MAY OF 2013 THE POWER STERRING RACK WAS REPORTED TO ME THAT IT WAS LEAKING ( WHILE IN THE DEALER FOR TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT ). THE GMC DEALER, SERRA GMC IN WASHINGTON , MI., REPLACED THE STEERING RACK AND CHARGED US FOR THE NEW RACK. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING. WE TOOK VEH IN FOR SERVICE AND PAID FOR A DIAGNOSTIC OF THE PROBLEM AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE POWER STEERING ISSUE.. BUT SAID IT WAS PROBRABLY THE STEERING PUMP.IN ADDITION WE WERE TOLD THE TIMING CHAIN COVER WAS LEAKING OIL AND THE TIMING CHAIN WOULD NEED REPLACING. THEY GOT GM TO PAY A PORTION OF THE REPAIR. THEY WANTED OVER $700 TO REPLACE THE POWER STERRING PUMP BUT WOULD NOT GAURANTEE THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS CRAZY WE JUST PAID TO HAVE THE STEERING RACK REPLACED AND A PORTION OF THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AND NOW THE STEERING PUMP. THE VEH CURRENTLY HAS LESS THAN 79,000 MILES. I REALLY FEEL THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT NHTSA NEEDS TO LOOK INTO. MY DAUGHTER ( WHO IS 15 YEARS OLD ) IS CURRENTLY A "LEARNING DRIVER" WHO DRIVES THIS VEH ( WITH A LICENSED DRIVER IN THE VEH) AS PART OF HER LOGGED DRIVING TIME. I'M CONCERNED THAT THE STEERING WILL FAIL WHILE SHE IS DRIVING. GM WOULD BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE AND INJURIES IF THE STEERING FAILS WHILE SHE IS BEHIND THE WHEEL. ..

NHTSA ODI #10538138

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