NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
582 reports57,081 miles · Apr 16, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN MY 2001 SATURN L200. I HAD STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I BEGAN TO GRADUALLY ACCELERATE. WHEN THE CAR REACHED ABOUT 20 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND THE CAR ROLLED TO A STOP. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION, THE MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT MY TIMING CHAIN HAD BR…
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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN MY 2001 SATURN L200. I HAD STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I BEGAN TO GRADUALLY ACCELERATE. WHEN THE CAR REACHED ABOUT 20 MPH, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND THE CAR ROLLED TO A STOP. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION, THE MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT MY TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN. HE COULD NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS HAD HAPPENED BECAUSE THE CAR ONLY HAD 57,000 MILES AND THE CHAIN LOOKED IN GOOD CONDITION. THE CHAIN BREAKING ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER HEADS. THE TOTAL WAS NEARLY $2,800.00 OF DAMAGE. IN JANUARY OF 2008, SATURN LAUNCHED A RECALL OF 21,000 OF THERE 2001 L200'S. THE REASON FOR THE RECALL WAS "LINKS IN THE ENGINE TIMING CHAIN CAN SEPARATE". I NOTIFIED THEM OF MY OCCURRENCE 6 MONTHS PRIOR AND SUBMITTED MY INFORMATION. WITHIN 2 WEEKS THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT MY VEHICLE DID NOT MATCH THE VIN RANGE OF THERE RECALL. I STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL TIMING CHAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224732
123,819 miles · Apr 16, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
2001 SATURN L200. THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE IN THIS CAR WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT AT 64MPH. THE RESULT INCLUDED 8 DAMAGED VALVES AND IT WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR. I AM TRYING TO DO THE WORK MYSELF BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD IT. EVEN WITH ME DOING THE WORK IT IS STILL VERY EXPENSIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224682
105,000 miles · Apr 15, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. A LOCAL MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS LOOSE. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 105,000.
NHTSA ODI #10224566
43,407 miles · Apr 11, 2008
Suspension
2 FRONT COIL SPRINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON 2001 SATURN L SERIES WITH 53,450 MILES SPRING HAD BROKEN AWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224252
106,744 miles · Apr 6, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
NHTSA COMPLAINT APRIL 6, 2008 REF: 2001 SATURN L200 4-DOOR SEDAN WITH 2.2L DOHC ENGINE PURCHASE DATE: JULY 15, 2004 WITH 27,309 MILES DATE OF INCIDENT: FEB. 27, 2008 WHAT HAPPENED? MY WIFE DROVE APPROX 13 MILES, JUST PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT HER WORKPLACE, AND THE VEHICLE DIED. SHE CALLED AND I DROVE TO THE LOCATION…
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NHTSA COMPLAINT APRIL 6, 2008 REF: 2001 SATURN L200 4-DOOR SEDAN WITH 2.2L DOHC ENGINE PURCHASE DATE: JULY 15, 2004 WITH 27,309 MILES DATE OF INCIDENT: FEB. 27, 2008 WHAT HAPPENED? MY WIFE DROVE APPROX 13 MILES, JUST PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT HER WORKPLACE, AND THE VEHICLE DIED. SHE CALLED AND I DROVE TO THE LOCATION TO ATTEMPT TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WHICH I COULD NOT. I HAD IT TOWED TO A NATION-WIDE AUTO REPAIR CENTER WHERE I WORK AS A TECHNICAL SERVICE ADVISOR. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY TWO OF THE MASTER TECHNICIANS AS WELL AS THE SERVICE MANAGER. THEY REMOVED THE VALVE COVER AND DETERMINED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD SEPARATED AND THE 4 CYLINDERS HAD NO COMPRESSION DUE TO BENT VALVES. THE REPAIR ESTIMATES ARE FROM $1,150.00 TO $3,800.00. RESULTS: I DISCOVERED THERE IS A RECALL FOR CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM FROM SATURN AFFECTING APPROX 20,000 VEHICLES. I CONTACTED A SATURN DEALER IN COLORADO SPRINGS AND DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER. HE CHECKED AND SAID OUR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND WOULD CONTACT THE ?REGIONAL MANAGER? AND SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE. TWO DAYS LATER, HE INFORMED ME THAT SATURN WOULD INSTALL A NEW ENGINE ASSEMBLY BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY HALF OF THE TOTAL EXPENSE WHICH IS $7,200. SATURN HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING CHAIN AND OILER NOZZLE IN THESE ENGINES. AT ENG IDLE, THERE IS LACK OF LUBRICATION TO THE TIMING CHAIN RESULTING IN FAILURE. SATURN NOW HAS AN IMPROVED TIMING CHAIN AND OILIER DESIGN WHICH "INCREASES OIL FLOW TO THE TIMING CHAIN AT IDLE". SEE SATURN TECHNICAL BULLETIN "TIMING CHAIN DESIGN CHANGE AND REVISED SERVICE PROCEDURES #03-06-01-017 - (JUN 9, 2003). I'VE CHANGED THE OIL AND FILTER EVERY 3-4K MILES, USING ONLY SPECIFIED OIL. THERE WERE NO SYMPTOMS NOR ANY NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. HOPE YOU FOLKS CAN HELP! BEST REGARDS, WILLIAM MAJOR *TR
NHTSA ODI #10223488
Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO BROKEN TIMING CHAIN 2001 L2 SATURN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10221847
142,000 miles · Mar 5, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE A 2001 L200 SERIES SATURN. I HAVE HAD FOR 1 YEAR. WHILE DRIVING OVER THE WEEKEND ABOUT 75 MILES AWAY FROM HOME, MY CAR WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN IT SUDDENLY QUIT RUNNING. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE INTERSTATE AND HAD TO QUICKLY CHANGE LANES AND GET THE CAR OFF BUSY I-75. I HAD T…
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I HAVE A 2001 L200 SERIES SATURN. I HAVE HAD FOR 1 YEAR. WHILE DRIVING OVER THE WEEKEND ABOUT 75 MILES AWAY FROM HOME, MY CAR WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN IT SUDDENLY QUIT RUNNING. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE INTERSTATE AND HAD TO QUICKLY CHANGE LANES AND GET THE CAR OFF BUSY I-75. I HAD TO TOW THE CAR HOME AFTER LEARNING THAT THE CAR HAD A BROKE TIMING CHAIN. MY TOW BILL WAS 150.00. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT WILL COST TO REPAIR MY CAR. I BOUGHT THIS CAR TO HELP WITH FUEL MILEAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10220189
65,000 miles · Mar 4, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
2001 LS SATURN - TIMING BELT BROKE WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAY - ENGINE STOPPED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. EVEN THOUGH SATURN HAS RECALLED SOME OF THE L SERIES FOR THIS PROBLEM - THEY SAY THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10220072
128,749 miles · Mar 3, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE HWY AT 50MPH. FORTUNATELY SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. UPON HEARING ABOUT THE SATURN RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, I SUBMITTED MT CLAIM TO SATURN FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THEY CALLED ME ABOUT A WEEK LATER TO TELL ME THAT MY CLAIM WAS BEING PROCESSED. ABOUT A WE…
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THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE HWY AT 50MPH. FORTUNATELY SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. UPON HEARING ABOUT THE SATURN RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, I SUBMITTED MT CLAIM TO SATURN FOR REIMBURSEMENT. THEY CALLED ME ABOUT A WEEK LATER TO TELL ME THAT MY CLAIM WAS BEING PROCESSED. ABOUT A WEEK AGO THEY CALLED TO TELL ME THAT MY CLAIM WAS DENIED. I REQUESTED BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED WRITTEN CONFIRMATION OF THAT DENIAL. I SUSPECT THAT THE DENIAL WAS BASED ON THE FACT THAT MY SATURN WAS MANUFACTURED IN 09/00 AND THE RECALL WAS FOR CARS MANUFACTURED FROM 11/00 TO 02/01. I REQUEST THAT THE RECALL ORDER BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE DATE THAT MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10219943
64,000 miles · Feb 29, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 55MPH MY TIMING CHAIN BROKE ON MY 2001 SATURN LS200. WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT ALSO BLEW THE MOTOR IN MY CAR. I AM STILL SHOPPING AROUND FOR PARTS AND TO GET IT REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10219757
Official recalls
7Nov 7, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.2L 4-CYLINDER ENGINE, LINKS IN THE ENGINE'S TIMING CHAIN CAN SEPARATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A TIMING CHAIN LINK SEPARATES WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, THE ENGINE WILL STALL AND WILL NOT RESTART INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
Jun 2, 2005
ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND WAGONS, THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP) OR TAIL LAMPS. A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW TAIL LAMP REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTERS AND SOCKETS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
Jun 23, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L L4 (L61) ENGINES, A FAILURE OF THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE MAY CAUSE DETERIORATION IN IDLE QUALITY, REDUCTION IN OVERALL ENGINE POWER, AND THE VEHICLE MAY BE HARD TO START. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AFTER SUCH AN IGNITION MODULE FAILURE WILL RESULT IN THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT FLASHING, AND MAY LEAD TO SECONDARY FAILURES OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, OXYGEN SENSOR, AND EXHAUST RESONATOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR WILL CAUSE INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE. PROLONGED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING A RESONATOR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL (1) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, (2) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND SPARK PLUGS, OR (3) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, SPARK PLUGS, AND UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE CALIBRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT 3.
Dec 9, 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PASSENGER AIR BAG THAT WAS MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A CHECK VALVE PIN. AN AIR BAG WITHOUT THE CHECK VALVE PIN COULD PRODUCE INCREASED PRESSURE AT THE ONSET OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND REDUCED PRESSURE AFTERWARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD INCREASE THE SEVERITY OF INJURY TO A PERSON WHO WAS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND WHO WAS CLOSE TO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AT THE TIME OF DEPLOYMENT. IT COULD ALSO REDUCE THE AB8ILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT A RESTRAINED FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 16, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT #3.
Feb 1, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND MINIVANS. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES WERE BUILT WITHOUT THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF GENERANT, WHICH PRODUCES THE GAS THAT FILLS THE AIR BAG. SOME WERE BUILT WITH A DOUBLE LOAD OF GENERANT AND SOME WERE BUILT WITHOUT GENERANT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT WOULD TRIGGER A PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A DOUBLE LOAD OF GENERANT CAN CAUSE THE INFLATOR MODULE TO EXPLODE. IF THE AIR BAG MODULE EXPLODES, METAL AND PLASTIC DEBRIS COULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANT. A MODULE WITH NO GENERANT WOULD NOT INFLATE THE AIR BAG, AND THE OCCUPANTS COULD RECEIVE MORE SEVERE INJURIES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE. TELEPHONE CALLS WERE MADE TO OWNERS ON JANUARY 29, 2001. FOLLOW UP OWNER MAILING BEGAN ON APRIL 17, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000.
Oct 30, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE TRANSAXLE SHIFT CABLE CLIP MISSING OR IMPROPERLY SEATED. WITHOUT THE CLIP, THE CABLE CAN SLIP OUT OF ITS BRACKET AND THE TRANSAXLE LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE ALONG WITH THE SHIFT LEVER. THE DRIVER MAY PUT THE SHIFT LEVER IN PARK, BUT THE TRANSAXLE MAY BE IN REVERSE OR NEUTRAL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSAXLE SHIFT CABLE RETAINER CLIP TO VERIFY PROPER INSTALLATION AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE CLIP AND ADJUST THE CABLE TO SPECIFICATIONS.
Aug 23, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE AIR BAG SYSTEM HAS A LOWER SIDE IMPACT SAFING SENSOR THRESHOLD THAN SPECIFIED. BECAUSE OF THIS REDUCED THRESHOLD, THERE COULD BE AN INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE HEAD CURTAIN AIR BAG WITH SEVERE SLAMMING OF THE DOOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INFLATABLE RESTRAINT SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE ASSEMBLY.
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
8PE08061 · Timing Chain Breaks, Engine Stall
Opened Oct 16, 2008 · Closed Apr 8, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ON MAY 22, 2008, THEOFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) WAS PETITIONED BY THE NORTH CAROLINA CONSUMERS COUNCIL (NCCC) TO BROADEN THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 07V-519, WHICH WAS CONDUCTED BY GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION (GM) FOR MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE L61 2.2L ENGINE AND BUILT DURING A 4-MONTH PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 2000 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2001 (DP08-002). ON OCTOBER 16, 2008, ODI GRANTED DP08-002 AND OPENED PE08-061 TO INVESTIGATE TIMING CHAIN FAILURES RESULTING IN ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING (SWD) IN THE SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH L61 ENGINES AND THAT USED THE SAME DESIGN TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN LUBRICATION SYSTEM AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.A REDESIGNED TIMING CHAIN AND LUBRICATION SYSTEM WERE IMPLEMENTED LATE IN MY 2002 PRODUCTION (MAY 1, 2002).HENCE, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES FOR THIS INVESTIGATION ARE ALL MY 2000 THROUGH 2002 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L L61 ENGINES AND BUILT PRIOR TO MAY 2002 THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 07V-519. IN THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI ANALYZED UPDATED COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIMS DATA FOR TIMING CHAIN FAILURES RESULTING IN INCIDENTS OF ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING, WHICH COMPRISE SLIGHTLY OVER HALF OF ALL TIMING CHAIN FAILURES OCCURRING IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOWS THAT VEHICLES PRODUCED WITH THE SUBJECT TIMING CHAIN AND LUBRICATION SYSTEM EXPERIENCED ELEVATED FAILURE RATES WHEN COMPARED WITH THE MY 2002 THROUGH 2003 VEHICLES USING THE REVISED COMPONENTS.HOWEVER, THE ANALYSIS ALSO SHOWED THAT THE MY 2001 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES RECALLED IN 07V-518 EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER RATE OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES THAN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE COMPLAINT RATE FOR TIMING CHAIN FAILURES RESULTING IN SWD WAS APPROXIMATELY 5 TIMES HIGHER FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES,19.2 INCIDENTS PER THOUSAND VEHICLES (IPTV), THAN FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, 3.7 IPTV.THE WARRANTY CLAIMS RATE FOR CHAIN FAILURES RESULTING IN SWD WAS OVER 3 TIMES HIGHER FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES, 2.4 PERCENT, THAN FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, 0.7 PERCENT.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY RATES FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE SIMILAR TO RATES RECORDED IN OTHER RECENTLY CLOSED INVESTIGATIONS FOR CONDITIONS THAT COULD RESULT IN SWD WITH NO ENGINE RE-START, EA07-015 AND EA07-018.ANALYSIS OF ALL COMPLAINTS, FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS FOUND NO ALLEGATIONS OF CRASHES OR INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AFTER APPROXIMATELY 7 TO 9 YEARS IN SERVICE. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF THE STALLING INCIDENTS THAT HAVE RESULTED FROM TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES FOUND THAT THEY CAN OCCUR AT ANY SPEED AND ALMOST ALWAYS RESULT IN A NO RESTART CONDITION.THESE ARE GENERALLY CONSIDERED TO BE FACTORS THAT INCREASE THE SEVERITY OF STALLING INCIDENTS.HOWEVER, ANALYSIS OF SWD FAILURE RATES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES SHOW THAT THEY HAVE OCCURRED AT MUCH LOWER RATES THAN WERE OBSERVED IN THE RECALLED POPULATION.IN ADDITION, THE SWD COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY RATES FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE SIMILAR TO RATES OBSERVED IN PRIOR INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING SIMILAR CATEGORIES OF ENGINE STALL CONSEQUENCES THAT WERE CLOSED WITH NO ACTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
DP08002 · Timing Chain FAILURE-STALL
Opened Jun 18, 2008 · Closed Oct 16, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ON JUNE 6, 2006, ODI OPENED AN INVESTIGATION OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURE RESULTING IN ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING WITH NO RESTART IN APPROXIMATELY 20,514 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L ENGINES (L61) BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2000 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2001 (EA06-009).THE VEHICLES BUILT DURING THOSE MONTHS EXHIBITED HIGHER FAILURE RATES THAN SIMILARLY EQUIPPED VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE AND AFTER.GM INTRODUCED A NEW TIMING CHAIN DESIGN IN PRODUCTION IN MAY 2002.ODI CLOSED ITS INVESTIGATION AFTER GM INITIATED A SAFETY RECALL ON NOVEMBER 7, 2007 (RECALL 07V-519). ON MAY 22, 2008, THE NORTH CAROLINA CONSUMERS COUNCIL (NCCC) SUBMITTED A DEFECT PETITION TO ODI REQUESTING THE EXPANSION OF RECALL 07V-519 TO INCLUDE ALL MY 1999 THROUGH 2003 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES WITH 2.2L ENGINES USING THE SAME TIMING CHAIN DESIGN AS THE RECALLED POPULATION.THE PETITION STATES THAT THE NCCC CONTINUES TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT HAVE HAD A TIMING CHAIN FAIL IN VEHICLES BUILT OUTSIDE THE PRODUCTION RANGE COVERED BY THE RECALL.THE PETITION ALSO NOTES THAT ODI HAS CONTINUED TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS.SINCE THE CLOSING OF EA06-009 ODI HAS RECEIVED 80 NEW COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS WHO HAD A TIMING CHAIN FAIL IN A MY 2000 THROUGH 2002 SATURN L-SERIES WITH THE 2.2L ENGINE THAT WERE NOT COVERED BY RECALL 07V-519 AND WERE BUILT PRIOR TO THE TIMING BELT CHANGE IN MAY 2002.THE COMPLAINTS DESCRIBE THE SAME FAILURE MODE AS THE RECALLED POPULATION WHERE THE TIMING CHAIN CAN BREAK SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, RESULTING IN ENGINE DAMAGE AND LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER.THE DEFECT PETITION HAS BEEN GRANTED. A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE08-061) HAS BEEN OPENED.
EA06009 · Timing Chain Failure - Stall
Opened Jun 6, 2006 · Closed Nov 9, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
IN A NOVEMBER 7, 2007 LETTER, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT HAD DETERMINED THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.2L 4-CYLINDER (L61) ENGINE BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2000 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2001.THE DEFECT COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING WITH NO RESTART. GM WILL RECALL (07V-519) THE VEHICLES TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAINS WITH REDESIGNED PARTS. DURING THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS GM AND ODI CONTACTED SATURN OWNERS THAT HAD WARRANTY WORK PERFORMED RELATED TO TIMING CHAIN REPLACEMENTS OR REPAIRS IN ORDER TO DETERMINE CERTAIN SAFETY CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH TIMING CHAIN FAILURE.BASED ON ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY CLAIM VERBATIM TEXT FOR INDICATIONS OF STALL WHILE DRIVING (SWD) AND THE RESULTS FROM A SURVEY OF WARRANTY CLAIMS WITH AMBIGUOUS TEXT, GM ESTIMATED THAT 55% OF ALL TIMING CHAIN WARRANTY REPAIRS INVOLVED SWD INCIDENTS.ODI'S ANALYSIS ESTIMATED APPROXIMATELY 76% OF WARRANTY REPAIRS MAY HAVE INVOLVED A SWD.THE SURVEYS WERE ALSO USED TO ASSESS THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THE SWD INCIDENTS.THE CALLS FOUND THAT NONE OF THE VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCING STALLS DUE TO TIMING CHAIN FAILURE COULD BE RESTARTED.INADDITION, APPROXIMATELY ONE-THIRD OF THE STALLS OCCURRED AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 40 MPH AND ABOUT 20% INDICATED THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC AFTER THE ENGINE DIED.GM'S STATISTICAL ANALYSES OF FAILURE DATA ESTIMATED STALL WHILE DRIVING RATES OF 1.7% AND 5.2% AT 3 AND 6 YEARS IN SERVICE.ODI'S ANALYSES ESTIMATED SLIGHTLY HIGHER RATES OF 2.3% AND 7.0% AT 3 AND 6 YEARS IN SERVICE. THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED BASED ON GM'S RECALL.
PE06006 · Timing Chain Failure
Opened Jan 24, 2006 · Closed Jun 6, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ON DECEMBER 12, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A DEFECT PETITION (DP05-008) REQUESTING THE INVESTIGATION OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES THAT COULD CAUSE STALLING IN SATURN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.2L (L61) ENGINE. ODI OPENED PE06-006 ON JANUARY 24, 2006, WITH 24 VEHICLE OWNER COMPLAINTS THAT ALLEGED A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP OPERATING.ON APRIL 12, 2006, ODI RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM GENERAL MOTORS (GM) CONCERNING TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN APPROXIMATELY 412,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 THROUGH 2003 SATURN L-SERIES AND ION VEHICLES WITH 2.2L ENGINES. GM'S RESPONSE INCLUDED 1,020 OWNER COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS CONCERNING TIMING CHAIN FAILURE, INCLUDING 228 THAT ALLEGED THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING.GM ALSO PROVIDED WARRANTY CLAIM DATA THAT SHOWED 1,902 SUBJECT VEHICLES RECEIVING TIMING CHAIN REPAIRS, INCLUDING 261 WHICH INDICATED THAT A STALL WHILE DRIVING RESULTED FROM THE FAILURE.THE GM COMPLAINTS, FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS THAT DID NOT CONTAIN SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO DETERMINE THAT A STALL WHILE DRIVING OCCURRED WERE PROVIDED IN THE CATEGORY OTHER.GM STATED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS PROBABLY OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLES WERE PARKED SINCE THE TIMING CHAIN IS MORE LIKELY TO BREAK DURING HIGH CHAIN LOAD SITUATIONS, SUCH AS ENGINE STARTUP.GM'S DATA SHOWED ELEVATED FAILURE RATES IN APPROXIMATELY 20,500 MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES PRODUCED DURING A FOUR MONTH PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 2000 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2001.OVER ONE-THIRD OF GM'S TOTAL COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS (34.3%) AND WARRANTY CLAIMS (38.2%) INVOLVED L-SERIES VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE 4-MONTH PERIOD, WHICH ARE ONLY ABOUT 5% OF SUBJECT VEHICLE PRODUCTION.THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE RATE IN THE VEHICLES BUILT DURING THIS RANGE IS OVER 10 TIMES GREATER THAN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION. FOR THE MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE 4-MONTH PERIOD, THE 36-MONTH FAILURE RATE FOR REPAIRS INVOLVING STALL WHILE DRIVING IS SLIGHTLY UNDER ONE PERCENT.HOWEVER, IF THE INCIDENTS CODED AS OTHER ARE ADDED, THE 36-MONTH FAILURE RATE RISES TO NEARLY FIVE PERCENT FOR THOSE VEHICLES.ODI AND GM ARE CONTINUING TO ASSESS THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS CODED BY GM AS OTHER THAT INVOLVE INCIDENTS OF STALL WHILE DRIVING.GM'S STATISTICAL MODELING OF THE FAILURE DATA INITIALLY CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE RATES WERE DECLINING WITH AGE AND MILEAGE FOR ANY SET OF WARRANTY DATA ANALYZED (E.G., STALL WHILE DRIVING, OTHER OR COMBINED).HOWEVER, SUBSEQUENT ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THE FAILURE RATES ARE INCREASING. BASED ON THE HIGH COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY RATES FOR TIMING CHAIN FAILURE IN THE 4-MONTH PRODUCTION PERIOD FOR THE MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE FREQUENCY OF STALL INCIDENTS DUE TO TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN THOSE VEHICLES (EA06-009).
DP05008 · Timing Chain Failure
Opened Dec 20, 2005 · Closed Feb 6, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ANALYSIS UNDERTAKEN IN RESPONSE TO THE PETITION IDENTIFIED 26 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN MY 2000-2003 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.2L L4 ENGINE.MOST COMPLAINTS OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURE REPORTEDLY RESULTED IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND STALLING.ODI ALSO NOTED THAT CERTAIN MY 2002-2003 SATURN VUE AND MY 2003 SATURN ION MODEL VEHICLES WITH THE 2.2L ENGINE VEHICLESCOVERED BY A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (03-06-01-017) THAT ADDRESSED TIMING CHAIN DESIGN AND SERVICE PROCEDURE CHANGES, EXHIBITED NO COMPLAINTS OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURE.ODI WILL GRANT THE PETITION AND OPEN A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO ASSESS THE FREQUENCY, TREND, SCOPE AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.REFER TO PE06-006.
PE05010 · Inoperative Tail Lamps
Opened Feb 15, 2005 · Closed Jun 3, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Exterior Lighting; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
GENERAL MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT EXISTS ON CERTAIN MODEL SATURN SEDANS AND WAGONS.THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE OR TAIL LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP).GM WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON AN EXPANDED SCOPE OF SATURN VEHICLES TO INSTALL A REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTER (AND CORRESPONDING NW SOCKET) TO THE BACK OF THE EXISTING LAMP ASSEMBLY.GENERAL MOTORS WILL RECALL 291,652 MY 2000-2002 SATURN LS SEDANS AND MY 2000-2004 SATURN LW WAGONS.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA NUMBER 05V-245.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Electrical System
GENERAL MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT EXISTS ON CERTAIN MODEL SATURN SEDANS AND WAGONS.THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE OR TAIL LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP).GM WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON AN EXPANDED SCOPE OF SATURN VEHICLES TO INSTALL A REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTER (AND CORRESPONDING NW SOCKET) TO THE BACK OF THE EXISTING LAMP ASSEMBLY.GENERAL MOTORS WILL RECALL 291,652 MY 2000-2002 SATURN LS SEDANS AND MY 2000-2004 SATURN LW WAGONS.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA NUMBER 05V-245.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
GENERAL MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT EXISTS ON CERTAIN MODEL SATURN SEDANS AND WAGONS.THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE OR TAIL LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP).GM WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON AN EXPANDED SCOPE OF SATURN VEHICLES TO INSTALL A REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTER (AND CORRESPONDING NW SOCKET) TO THE BACK OF THE EXISTING LAMP ASSEMBLY.GENERAL MOTORS WILL RECALL 291,652 MY 2000-2002 SATURN LS SEDANS AND MY 2000-2004 SATURN LW WAGONS.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA NUMBER 05V-245.
Exterior Lighting
GENERAL MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT EXISTS ON CERTAIN MODEL SATURN SEDANS AND WAGONS.THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE OR TAIL LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP).GM WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON AN EXPANDED SCOPE OF SATURN VEHICLES TO INSTALL A REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTER (AND CORRESPONDING NW SOCKET) TO THE BACK OF THE EXISTING LAMP ASSEMBLY.GENERAL MOTORS WILL RECALL 291,652 MY 2000-2002 SATURN LS SEDANS AND MY 2000-2004 SATURN LW WAGONS.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA NUMBER 05V-245.
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
GENERAL MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT EXISTS ON CERTAIN MODEL SATURN SEDANS AND WAGONS.THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE OR TAIL LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP).GM WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON AN EXPANDED SCOPE OF SATURN VEHICLES TO INSTALL A REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTER (AND CORRESPONDING NW SOCKET) TO THE BACK OF THE EXISTING LAMP ASSEMBLY.GENERAL MOTORS WILL RECALL 291,652 MY 2000-2002 SATURN LS SEDANS AND MY 2000-2004 SATURN LW WAGONS.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA NUMBER 05V-245.
DP05001 · Inoperative Tail Lamps
Opened Feb 10, 2005 · Closed Feb 22, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights:switch
ON JANUARY 25, 2005, A SAFETY DEFECT PETITION WAS RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF INOPERATIVE TAIL LAMPS ON MY 2000-2002 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN AND ASSEMBLY OF THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CIRCUIT BOARD AND LIGHT SOCKET CONTACT.THE PETITIONER IDENTIFIED 47 VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE'S (VOQ'S) ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT, AND ODI CONCURS THAT 40 OF THOSE VOQ'S SATISFY THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION.ODI HAS FOUND AN ADDITIONAL 10 VOQ'S RELATED TO THE ALLEGATION.ODI HAS GRANTED THE PETITION AND OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE05-010).
Additional source detail variants (5)
Electrical System
ON JANUARY 25, 2005, A SAFETY DEFECT PETITION WAS RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF INOPERATIVE TAIL LAMPS ON MY 2000-2002 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN AND ASSEMBLY OF THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CIRCUIT BOARD AND LIGHT SOCKET CONTACT.THE PETITIONER IDENTIFIED 47 VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE'S (VOQ'S) ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT, AND ODI CONCURS THAT 40 OF THOSE VOQ'S SATISFY THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION.ODI HAS FOUND AN ADDITIONAL 10 VOQ'S RELATED TO THE ALLEGATION.ODI HAS GRANTED THE PETITION AND OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE05-010).
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
ON JANUARY 25, 2005, A SAFETY DEFECT PETITION WAS RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF INOPERATIVE TAIL LAMPS ON MY 2000-2002 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN AND ASSEMBLY OF THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CIRCUIT BOARD AND LIGHT SOCKET CONTACT.THE PETITIONER IDENTIFIED 47 VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE'S (VOQ'S) ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT, AND ODI CONCURS THAT 40 OF THOSE VOQ'S SATISFY THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION.ODI HAS FOUND AN ADDITIONAL 10 VOQ'S RELATED TO THE ALLEGATION.ODI HAS GRANTED THE PETITION AND OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE05-010).
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
ON JANUARY 25, 2005, A SAFETY DEFECT PETITION WAS RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF INOPERATIVE TAIL LAMPS ON MY 2000-2002 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN AND ASSEMBLY OF THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CIRCUIT BOARD AND LIGHT SOCKET CONTACT.THE PETITIONER IDENTIFIED 47 VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE'S (VOQ'S) ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT, AND ODI CONCURS THAT 40 OF THOSE VOQ'S SATISFY THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION.ODI HAS FOUND AN ADDITIONAL 10 VOQ'S RELATED TO THE ALLEGATION.ODI HAS GRANTED THE PETITION AND OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE05-010).
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
ON JANUARY 25, 2005, A SAFETY DEFECT PETITION WAS RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF INOPERATIVE TAIL LAMPS ON MY 2000-2002 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN AND ASSEMBLY OF THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CIRCUIT BOARD AND LIGHT SOCKET CONTACT.THE PETITIONER IDENTIFIED 47 VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE'S (VOQ'S) ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT, AND ODI CONCURS THAT 40 OF THOSE VOQ'S SATISFY THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION.ODI HAS FOUND AN ADDITIONAL 10 VOQ'S RELATED TO THE ALLEGATION.ODI HAS GRANTED THE PETITION AND OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE05-010).
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights:switch
ON JANUARY 25, 2005, A SAFETY DEFECT PETITION WAS RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF INOPERATIVE TAIL LAMPS ON MY 2000-2002 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN AND ASSEMBLY OF THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CIRCUIT BOARD AND LIGHT SOCKET CONTACT.THE PETITIONER IDENTIFIED 47 VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE'S (VOQ'S) ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT, AND ODI CONCURS THAT 40 OF THOSE VOQ'S SATISFY THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION.ODI HAS FOUND AN ADDITIONAL 10 VOQ'S RELATED TO THE ALLEGATION.ODI HAS GRANTED THE PETITION AND OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE05-010).
PE03017 · Headlamps Flicker Off And On
Opened Apr 17, 2003 · Closed Aug 25, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting; Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:concealment Devices; Exterior Lighting:headlights:high/low Beam Dimmer Switch; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch
THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON SIX ODI COMPLAINTS THAT HEADLAMPS FLICKER OFF AND ON, AND TWO ODI COMPLAINTS THAT THE SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH.THE INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND NO OCCURRENCES OF HEADLAMPS GOING OUT.THE COMPLAINTS ARE DUE TO SPORADIC DIMMING (FLICKERING) OF THE HEADLAMPS AS A RESULT OF VARIATION OF THE VOLTAGE TO THE HEADLAMPS.GM HAS SHOWN THAT A 1.5 -2.0 VOLTAGE DROP OCCURS WHEN OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES ARE ACTIVATED, HOWEVER AT NO TIME DO THE HEADLAMPS TURN COMPLETELY OFF.WITH RESPECT TO ALLEGATIONS THAT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH, GM REPORTS THAT THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF THE SWITCH IS 35 DEGREES C WHICH IS NOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A FINGER OR HAND.IN MAY 2001, GM MODIFIED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH CRIMPING OPERATION TO ELIMINATE THE OCCURRENCE OF HOT SWITCHES.ODI EVALUATED THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY RETURNS AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF MELTING OR BURNING. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.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.
Additional source detail variants (8)
Exterior Lighting
THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON SIX ODI COMPLAINTS THAT HEADLAMPS FLICKER OFF AND ON, AND TWO ODI COMPLAINTS THAT THE SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH.THE INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND NO OCCURRENCES OF HEADLAMPS GOING OUT.THE COMPLAINTS ARE DUE TO SPORADIC DIMMING (FLICKERING) OF THE HEADLAMPS AS A RESULT OF VARIATION OF THE VOLTAGE TO THE HEADLAMPS.GM HAS SHOWN THAT A 1.5 -2.0 VOLTAGE DROP OCCURS WHEN OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES ARE ACTIVATED, HOWEVER AT NO TIME DO THE HEADLAMPS TURN COMPLETELY OFF.WITH RESPECT TO ALLEGATIONS THAT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH, GM REPORTS THAT THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF THE SWITCH IS 35 DEGREES C WHICH IS NOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A FINGER OR HAND.IN MAY 2001, GM MODIFIED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH CRIMPING OPERATION TO ELIMINATE THE OCCURRENCE OF HOT SWITCHES.ODI EVALUATED THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY RETURNS AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF MELTING OR BURNING. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.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.
Exterior Lighting:headlights:concealment Devices
THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON SIX ODI COMPLAINTS THAT HEADLAMPS FLICKER OFF AND ON, AND TWO ODI COMPLAINTS THAT THE SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH.THE INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND NO OCCURRENCES OF HEADLAMPS GOING OUT.THE COMPLAINTS ARE DUE TO SPORADIC DIMMING (FLICKERING) OF THE HEADLAMPS AS A RESULT OF VARIATION OF THE VOLTAGE TO THE HEADLAMPS.GM HAS SHOWN THAT A 1.5 -2.0 VOLTAGE DROP OCCURS WHEN OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES ARE ACTIVATED, HOWEVER AT NO TIME DO THE HEADLAMPS TURN COMPLETELY OFF.WITH RESPECT TO ALLEGATIONS THAT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH, GM REPORTS THAT THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF THE SWITCH IS 35 DEGREES C WHICH IS NOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A FINGER OR HAND.IN MAY 2001, GM MODIFIED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH CRIMPING OPERATION TO ELIMINATE THE OCCURRENCE OF HOT SWITCHES.ODI EVALUATED THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY RETURNS AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF MELTING OR BURNING. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.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.
Exterior Lighting:headlights
THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON SIX ODI COMPLAINTS THAT HEADLAMPS FLICKER OFF AND ON, AND TWO ODI COMPLAINTS THAT THE SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH.THE INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND NO OCCURRENCES OF HEADLAMPS GOING OUT.THE COMPLAINTS ARE DUE TO SPORADIC DIMMING (FLICKERING) OF THE HEADLAMPS AS A RESULT OF VARIATION OF THE VOLTAGE TO THE HEADLAMPS.GM HAS SHOWN THAT A 1.5 -2.0 VOLTAGE DROP OCCURS WHEN OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES ARE ACTIVATED, HOWEVER AT NO TIME DO THE HEADLAMPS TURN COMPLETELY OFF.WITH RESPECT TO ALLEGATIONS THAT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH, GM REPORTS THAT THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF THE SWITCH IS 35 DEGREES C WHICH IS NOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A FINGER OR HAND.IN MAY 2001, GM MODIFIED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH CRIMPING OPERATION TO ELIMINATE THE OCCURRENCE OF HOT SWITCHES.ODI EVALUATED THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY RETURNS AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF MELTING OR BURNING. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.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.
Exterior Lighting:headlights:high/low Beam Dimmer Switch
THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON SIX ODI COMPLAINTS THAT HEADLAMPS FLICKER OFF AND ON, AND TWO ODI COMPLAINTS THAT THE SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH.THE INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND NO OCCURRENCES OF HEADLAMPS GOING OUT.THE COMPLAINTS ARE DUE TO SPORADIC DIMMING (FLICKERING) OF THE HEADLAMPS AS A RESULT OF VARIATION OF THE VOLTAGE TO THE HEADLAMPS.GM HAS SHOWN THAT A 1.5 -2.0 VOLTAGE DROP OCCURS WHEN OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES ARE ACTIVATED, HOWEVER AT NO TIME DO THE HEADLAMPS TURN COMPLETELY OFF.WITH RESPECT TO ALLEGATIONS THAT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH, GM REPORTS THAT THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF THE SWITCH IS 35 DEGREES C WHICH IS NOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A FINGER OR HAND.IN MAY 2001, GM MODIFIED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH CRIMPING OPERATION TO ELIMINATE THE OCCURRENCE OF HOT SWITCHES.ODI EVALUATED THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY RETURNS AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF MELTING OR BURNING. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.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.
Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON SIX ODI COMPLAINTS THAT HEADLAMPS FLICKER OFF AND ON, AND TWO ODI COMPLAINTS THAT THE SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH.THE INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND NO OCCURRENCES OF HEADLAMPS GOING OUT.THE COMPLAINTS ARE DUE TO SPORADIC DIMMING (FLICKERING) OF THE HEADLAMPS AS A RESULT OF VARIATION OF THE VOLTAGE TO THE HEADLAMPS.GM HAS SHOWN THAT A 1.5 -2.0 VOLTAGE DROP OCCURS WHEN OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES ARE ACTIVATED, HOWEVER AT NO TIME DO THE HEADLAMPS TURN COMPLETELY OFF.WITH RESPECT TO ALLEGATIONS THAT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH, GM REPORTS THAT THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF THE SWITCH IS 35 DEGREES C WHICH IS NOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A FINGER OR HAND.IN MAY 2001, GM MODIFIED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH CRIMPING OPERATION TO ELIMINATE THE OCCURRENCE OF HOT SWITCHES.ODI EVALUATED THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY RETURNS AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF MELTING OR BURNING. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.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.
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights:switch
THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON SIX ODI COMPLAINTS THAT HEADLAMPS FLICKER OFF AND ON, AND TWO ODI COMPLAINTS THAT THE SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH.THE INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND NO OCCURRENCES OF HEADLAMPS GOING OUT.THE COMPLAINTS ARE DUE TO SPORADIC DIMMING (FLICKERING) OF THE HEADLAMPS AS A RESULT OF VARIATION OF THE VOLTAGE TO THE HEADLAMPS.GM HAS SHOWN THAT A 1.5 -2.0 VOLTAGE DROP OCCURS WHEN OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES ARE ACTIVATED, HOWEVER AT NO TIME DO THE HEADLAMPS TURN COMPLETELY OFF.WITH RESPECT TO ALLEGATIONS THAT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH, GM REPORTS THAT THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF THE SWITCH IS 35 DEGREES C WHICH IS NOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A FINGER OR HAND.IN MAY 2001, GM MODIFIED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH CRIMPING OPERATION TO ELIMINATE THE OCCURRENCE OF HOT SWITCHES.ODI EVALUATED THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY RETURNS AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF MELTING OR BURNING. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.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.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON SIX ODI COMPLAINTS THAT HEADLAMPS FLICKER OFF AND ON, AND TWO ODI COMPLAINTS THAT THE SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH.THE INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND NO OCCURRENCES OF HEADLAMPS GOING OUT.THE COMPLAINTS ARE DUE TO SPORADIC DIMMING (FLICKERING) OF THE HEADLAMPS AS A RESULT OF VARIATION OF THE VOLTAGE TO THE HEADLAMPS.GM HAS SHOWN THAT A 1.5 -2.0 VOLTAGE DROP OCCURS WHEN OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES ARE ACTIVATED, HOWEVER AT NO TIME DO THE HEADLAMPS TURN COMPLETELY OFF.WITH RESPECT TO ALLEGATIONS THAT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH, GM REPORTS THAT THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF THE SWITCH IS 35 DEGREES C WHICH IS NOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A FINGER OR HAND.IN MAY 2001, GM MODIFIED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH CRIMPING OPERATION TO ELIMINATE THE OCCURRENCE OF HOT SWITCHES.ODI EVALUATED THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY RETURNS AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF MELTING OR BURNING. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.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.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch
THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON SIX ODI COMPLAINTS THAT HEADLAMPS FLICKER OFF AND ON, AND TWO ODI COMPLAINTS THAT THE SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH.THE INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND NO OCCURRENCES OF HEADLAMPS GOING OUT.THE COMPLAINTS ARE DUE TO SPORADIC DIMMING (FLICKERING) OF THE HEADLAMPS AS A RESULT OF VARIATION OF THE VOLTAGE TO THE HEADLAMPS.GM HAS SHOWN THAT A 1.5 -2.0 VOLTAGE DROP OCCURS WHEN OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES ARE ACTIVATED, HOWEVER AT NO TIME DO THE HEADLAMPS TURN COMPLETELY OFF.WITH RESPECT TO ALLEGATIONS THAT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH, GM REPORTS THAT THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF THE SWITCH IS 35 DEGREES C WHICH IS NOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A FINGER OR HAND.IN MAY 2001, GM MODIFIED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH CRIMPING OPERATION TO ELIMINATE THE OCCURRENCE OF HOT SWITCHES.ODI EVALUATED THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY RETURNS AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF MELTING OR BURNING. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.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.
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