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2002 Oldsmobile Alero

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 279.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

183 reports with mileage · 96 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 133 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 78 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports8 fire reports7 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

9 reports
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180,000 miles · Jun 30, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineFuel System, Gasoline

THE CAR INITIALLY WOULD NOT START, GOOGLED HELP LEFT IN START POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES THEN STARTED. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SHUT OFF MID TRAFFIC, THOUGHT IT WAS STOLEN. TAKEN TO GM DEALERSHIP PUT IN NEW PASSCODE KEY, TOLD IT WAS OK. LEFT DEALERSHIP CAR CUT OFF, TAKEN BACK, SAID IT WAS FUEL INJECTORS, HAS ALL OF THEN CHANGED. CAR C…

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THE CAR INITIALLY WOULD NOT START, GOOGLED HELP LEFT IN START POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES THEN STARTED. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR SHUT OFF MID TRAFFIC, THOUGHT IT WAS STOLEN. TAKEN TO GM DEALERSHIP PUT IN NEW PASSCODE KEY, TOLD IT WAS OK. LEFT DEALERSHIP CAR CUT OFF, TAKEN BACK, SAID IT WAS FUEL INJECTORS, HAS ALL OF THEN CHANGED. CAR CUT OFF, READ ON INTERNET THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURING ERROR. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REIMBURSE MONEY AND CAR CONTINUES TO NOT CRANK AT TIMES AND CUTS OFF, THINK IT IS STOLEN. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THIS CAR SHOULD NOT BE SOLD WITHOUT WARNING FUTURE DRIVERS. NEARLY COST ME MY LIFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607057

85,000 miles · Apr 12, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHEN FUELING THE SENSOR WASN'T WORKING CAUSE OF GAS SPILLED ON THE GROUND MAY CAUSE OF FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10455030

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2012
Fuel System, GasolineSuspension

I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING FUEL SMELLS SEEPING THRU MY AIR VENTS WHEN I DRIVE AND I TOOK MY CAR TO THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES. EACH TIME THE MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THAT MY ORINGS AND SOME OTHER ITEMS NEED REPLACING. THESE EXPENSES ARE VERY COSTLY AND I HAVE NO JOB! I'VE DRAWN ALL MY UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS BUT I NEED MY CAR TO KEEP B…

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I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING FUEL SMELLS SEEPING THRU MY AIR VENTS WHEN I DRIVE AND I TOOK MY CAR TO THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES. EACH TIME THE MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THAT MY ORINGS AND SOME OTHER ITEMS NEED REPLACING. THESE EXPENSES ARE VERY COSTLY AND I HAVE NO JOB! I'VE DRAWN ALL MY UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS BUT I NEED MY CAR TO KEEP BEING ABLE TO SEARCH FOR EMPLOYMENT OR GO TO WORK WHEN I GET THESE TEMP OFFERS FOR WORK!!! I SAW MY CAR HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN A RECALL, BUT GM SAYS IT'S NOT MY CAR--BASED ON THEIR SYSTEM OF KNOWING THE LAST 8 DIGITS OF MY VIN. BUT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THESE ISSUES! EVEN WHEN I FILL UP ON GAS, THE SMELL IS ALL ON MY CAR, ON ME! I EVEN HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS FOR THE FIRST FEW DAYS AFTER I RE-FILL!!! CAN SOMEBODY HELP ME???? I AM SO SICK OF THE VIRTUES IN THIS COUNTRY! PEOPLE DON'T DO THE RIGHT THING FOR FEAR OF IT COSTING THEM A DOLLAR!! THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT THE LIVES THEY ARE IMPACTING--JUST THEIR [XXX] WALLETS! EXCUSE MY LANGUAGE AND CHOICE OF VERBAGE, BUT IT REALLY MAKES ME SICK! IHAVE TO QUIT NOW BECAUSE IT REALLY BOTHERS ME TO KNOW THAT BETWEEN THE MANUFACTURERS AND THESE AUTOMAKERS, NEITHER WANTS TO VALUE ANYTHING OVER MONEY! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10444730

80,000 miles · Feb 17, 2009
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

I BOUGHT MY 2002 OLDS ALERO IN MAY OF 2006 AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS EVER SINCE. I HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED 2 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP PAID FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR THAT TIME, BUT I WAS ON MY OWN FROM THERE. FREQUENTLY I WAS HAVING THE PROBLEM OF THE ENGINE TURNING OVER, BUT NOT STARTING. I…

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I BOUGHT MY 2002 OLDS ALERO IN MAY OF 2006 AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS EVER SINCE. I HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED 2 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP PAID FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR THAT TIME, BUT I WAS ON MY OWN FROM THERE. FREQUENTLY I WAS HAVING THE PROBLEM OF THE ENGINE TURNING OVER, BUT NOT STARTING. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK 6 TIMES IN 2 MONTHS. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AND A WEEK LATER I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME IT THE BODY MODULE WAS REPLACED. 2 DAYS LATER I WAS CALLING THE TOW TRUCK AGAIN. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED THIS TIME. THE NEXT TIME I THREATENED TO SUE THE MECHANIC WHO HAD WORKED ON MY CAR. THIS TIME THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP FOR THE MECHANIC. HE CONTACTED GM TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD POSSIBLY BE AND OF COURSE THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE SHOP A FEW MORE TIMES THE MECHANIC FINALLY GOT A HOLD OF ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZED IN GM REPAIRS. THAT MECHANIC TOLD HIM ABOUT THE FAULTY SECURITY SYSTEM. HE PASSED ON THE INFO TO ME. IF THE CAR WON'T START, TURN THE KEY ON FOR 10 MIN. UNTIL THE SECURITY LIGHT STOPS FLASHING, TURN THE KEY OFF, TAKE IT OUT OF THE IGNITION AND TRY IT AGAIN. THIS HAS WORKED EVERY TIME FOR ME, BUT REALLY, WHO HAS THE EXTRA 10-15 MINUTES TO SPARE EVERY TIME THEY NEED TO GO SOMEWHERE, JUST IN CASE THEIR CAR WON'T START? I ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE TURNING SIGNALS WORKING ONLY WHEN THEY WANT TO. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG ALERO OWNERS. AFTER THE NIGHTMARES I'VE HAD WITH THIS CAR AND THE DISRESPECT SHOWN BY GM TO THEIR "VALUED CUSTOMERS", I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM MODEL AS LONG AS I LIVE! BUYER BEWARE!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258946

74,000 miles · Apr 25, 2008
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. IT TOOK HIM APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE FUEL PUMP. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. IT TOOK HIM APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE FUEL PUMP. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAS ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR SEVEN WEEKS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #10225694

56,000 miles · Jan 7, 2008
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineVisibility

ON 9/26/2007 MY 2002 OLDS ALERO REFUSED TO START, I FINALLY HAD TO LEAVE AT AT MY JOB, IT STARTED THE NEXT DAY, I CALLED THE DEALER (I HAD PURCHASED IT FROM DRIVETIME) IN NOV 2006, THEY STATED THAT I HAD TO BRING IT TO THEIR APPROVED MECHANIC, I TOOK IT THERE, THEIR MECHANIC STATED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND IT WOULD COST 755.00. …

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ON 9/26/2007 MY 2002 OLDS ALERO REFUSED TO START, I FINALLY HAD TO LEAVE AT AT MY JOB, IT STARTED THE NEXT DAY, I CALLED THE DEALER (I HAD PURCHASED IT FROM DRIVETIME) IN NOV 2006, THEY STATED THAT I HAD TO BRING IT TO THEIR APPROVED MECHANIC, I TOOK IT THERE, THEIR MECHANIC STATED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND IT WOULD COST 755.00. THAT INCLUDED THE DRIVERS WINDOW WHICH FELL INTO THE DOOR FOR THE SECOND TIME, I CALLED DRIVETIME WHO THEN PUT ME ON A REPAIR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, I DROVE THE CAR HOME, THAT SAME DAY THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN, IT IS NOW JANUARY 2008 AND I STILL DO NOT HAVE A WORKING VEHICLE AND AM REFUSING TO PAY FOR IT. THE MECHANIC CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THAT IT IS THE COMPUTER AND HE CANNOT FIX IT I NOW HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER WHO MAY OR MAY NOT FIX IT FREE OF CHARGE. I THINK ITS A DISGRACE, THAT A COMPANY CAN MAKE SUCH A PIECE OF JUNK HAVE ALL THESE COMPLAINTS ON IT AND NOTHING IS DONE. I FOR ONE AM NOT GOING TO PAY ONE MORE CENT, THE DEALER COULD KEEP THE CAR, AND DO WITH IT WHATEVER HE WANTS, I REALIZE THIS IS A REPOSESSION BUT I AM NOT A RICH PERSON AND IT IS OBVIOUS THAT PROBLEMS WILL ONLY GET WORSE WITH THIS VEHICLE, I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST GM, OLDS, DRIVETIME FOR SELLING THE LEMON KNOWING ALL THE PROBLEMS THESE VEHICLES HAVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214132

22,000 miles · Aug 9, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER IT WAS PARKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION AND THE FUEL PUMP CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AND A HALF LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER IT WAS PARKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION AND THE FUEL PUMP CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THEY MADE THE REPLACEMENT. APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AND A HALF LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE SECURITY SYSTEM AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE DEALER REPLACED THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THEN SHUT OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND MADE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ODI #10198953

3,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

MY CAR HAD SOMETHING GO WRONG WITH THE INTAKE GASKETS TO WHERE THE PLASTIC MELTED TO THE ENGINE, THE CAR HAD TO BE TAKEN IN FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND THE ENGINE HAD TO BE TAKEN OUT AND CLEANED AND ALL OF THE INTAKE GASKETS WERE REPLACED. THE CAR STILL DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PICK UP SPEED OR CLIMB A HILL THE CAR DO…

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MY CAR HAD SOMETHING GO WRONG WITH THE INTAKE GASKETS TO WHERE THE PLASTIC MELTED TO THE ENGINE, THE CAR HAD TO BE TAKEN IN FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND THE ENGINE HAD TO BE TAKEN OUT AND CLEANED AND ALL OF THE INTAKE GASKETS WERE REPLACED. THE CAR STILL DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PICK UP SPEED OR CLIMB A HILL THE CAR DOES NOT SHIFT AND AT TIMES LOOSES SPEED. THIS CONTINUES TO THIS DAY, THE DEALER STATES NOTHING IS WRONG. THE GAS NEEDLE WILL READ FULL AND THEN THE CAR WILL RUN OUT OF GAS THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY LEAVING ME STRANDED AND SEVERAL TIMES AROUND TOWN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY REPLACED THE GAS SENSORS. THE CAR STILL DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY WITH LESS THAN HALF A TANK OF GAS. THE DEFROSTER, AIR CONDITIONER AND HEAT STILL AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS IN DO NOT HEAT UP OR COOL DOWN THE CAR. ONE DAY I HAD STARTED THE CAR HALF AN HOUR BEFORE LEAVING AND ON THE WAY TO WORK THE WINDSHIELD FROZE UP, THE DEFROST HAD BEEN AND STILL WAS ON HIGH.

NHTSA ODI #10070336

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

AFTERFUELING UP AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING GASOLINE SPLASHED OUTSIDE OF THE TANK. DEALER REPLACED TANK SOLENOID, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10034364

Official recalls

1

14V400000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jul 3, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

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

1

PE05055 · Turn Signal Failures

Opened Sep 27, 2005 · Closed Jan 13, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch

IN DECEMBER 2004, GM ISSUED A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327. THE POLICY COVERED TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURRED FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH. GM SENT LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.IN JANUARY 2006, GM WILL UPDATE THE SPECIAL POLICY TO INCLUDE MY 2002 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V-327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING LATE APRIL 2006.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.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 FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch

IN DECEMBER 2004, GM ISSUED A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327. THE POLICY COVERED TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURRED FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH. GM SENT LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.IN JANUARY 2006, GM WILL UPDATE THE SPECIAL POLICY TO INCLUDE MY 2002 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V-327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING LATE APRIL 2006.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.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 FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch

IN DECEMBER 2004, GM ISSUED A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327. THE POLICY COVERED TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURRED FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH. GM SENT LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.IN JANUARY 2006, GM WILL UPDATE THE SPECIAL POLICY TO INCLUDE MY 2002 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V-327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING LATE APRIL 2006.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.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 FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.