NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
200 reportsClear category filter64,000 miles · Jul 7, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON DEC. 23 OR 24TH, 2005, I STOPPED BY THE SATURN OF GRESHAM DEALERSHIP BECAUSE MY CAR WAS MAKING A VERY ODD NOISE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AND TECHNICIAN LISTENED TO THE CAR AND LOOKED AT THE ENGINE. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE A AN EXHAUST PROBLEM BUT THE CAR WOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL I COULD MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AFTER CHR…
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ON DEC. 23 OR 24TH, 2005, I STOPPED BY THE SATURN OF GRESHAM DEALERSHIP BECAUSE MY CAR WAS MAKING A VERY ODD NOISE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AND TECHNICIAN LISTENED TO THE CAR AND LOOKED AT THE ENGINE. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE A AN EXHAUST PROBLEM BUT THE CAR WOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL I COULD MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AFTER CHRISTMAS. I MADE THE APPT. FOR THE WED. FOLLOWING CHRISTMAS, I BELIEVE. ON CHRISTMAS, WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL, MY CAR BEGAN JERKING AND LOST POWER. I WAS NOT DISABLED BUT MY CAR COULD BARELY MAKE IT UP THE HILL. I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF OF THE FREEWAY AND GET HELP FROM FAMILY. I HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO SATURN OF BEAVERTON. THEY WERE ABLE TO LOOK AT THE CAR ON DEC. 26 OR 27TH AND DETERMINED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALERSHIP DID MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS UNDER THE WARRANTY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10161782
7,400 miles · Jul 5, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON 7/1/6 WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH MY SATURN SUDDENLY QUIT RUNNING. MY CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING NORMALLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY CAR LOST ALL POWER. IT WAS 104`& 20 MILES FROM CIVILIZATION. I WALKED 1 MILE AND THERE WAS A CAMPER ALSO DISABLED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE PEOPLE CONTACTED A TOW COMPANY IN THE NEA…
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ON 7/1/6 WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH MY SATURN SUDDENLY QUIT RUNNING. MY CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING NORMALLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY CAR LOST ALL POWER. IT WAS 104`& 20 MILES FROM CIVILIZATION. I WALKED 1 MILE AND THERE WAS A CAMPER ALSO DISABLED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE PEOPLE CONTACTED A TOW COMPANY IN THE NEAREST CITY. MY CAR WAS TOWED 120 MILES. ON 7/3, THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED ME THAT MY TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN WITH SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE($4000.00). THE SM STATED THAT HE DID NOT RECOMMEND USING ANY USED PARTS TO FIX THE ENGINE. HE ACTED CONCERNED AS TO WHY THE TIMING CHAIN WOULD HAVE BROKEN IN MY CAR. HE MENTIONED THAT THE L SERIES CARS HAVE HAD SOME PROBLEMS. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE DEALERSHIP BEING WORKED ON. ON 7/5, I SPOKE TO THE AREA MANAGER FOR THE SATURN CORPORATION. SHE SAID SHE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT NHTSA AND DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF FAILURES WITH OTHER SATURNS. SHE STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO "A POOR MAINTENANCE RECORD". I INFORMED HER THAT SHE WAS SADLY MISTAKEN AS THE SATURN DEALERSHIP MY CAR IS AT WAS NOT THE ONLY DEALERSHIP OR AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS THAT I HAVE HAD WORK DONE ON MY CAR. I INFORMED HER THAT ON 12/ 25/05, MY CAR LOST POWER GOING UP A HILL AND I HAD WORK DONE ON THE CAR AT A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP. AT THAT TIME, I HAD TO HAVE THE EMISSION CONVERTER REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAD FAILED. ALSO, I HAVE ROUTINE OIL CHANGES DONE EVERY 3000 OR SO MILES. HER RESPONSE WAS "I AM SORRY IF THE INFORMATION FROM THE DEALERSHIP WAS INCORRECT BUT WE STILL CAN DO NOTHING ELSE." I TOLD HER THAT I WAS APPALLED TO LEARN THAT SATURN HAD BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE FOR SOME TIME; THAT SATURN HAD NEGLECTED TO INFORM THEIR CUSTOMER BASE REGARDING THE POTENTIAL DANGERS OF THIS ENGINE PROBLEM. I EXPLAINED TO HER THE SERIOUSNESS OF PLACING CUSTOMERS IN SUCH DANGER. I TOLD HER THIS COULD HAVE ALL BEEN AVOIDED HAD SATURN NOTIFIED ITS CUSTOMERS OF THE UPGRADE AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. OF COURSE, SHE DENIED ANY PROBLEMS WITH SATURN CARS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10161539
112,800 miles · May 30, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY CAR BROKE, RESULTING IN ENGINE DAMAGE WHICH -- THE DEALER TELLS ME -- WILL REQUIRE A TOTAL ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, GOING THROUGH CONSTRUCTION. SUDDENLY, THERE WAS NO POWER AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN. I COULD NOT GET POWER, SO I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND …
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THE TIMING CHAIN ON MY CAR BROKE, RESULTING IN ENGINE DAMAGE WHICH -- THE DEALER TELLS ME -- WILL REQUIRE A TOTAL ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, GOING THROUGH CONSTRUCTION. SUDDENLY, THERE WAS NO POWER AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN. I COULD NOT GET POWER, SO I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND GET THE CAR TOWED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10158576
46,000 miles · May 23, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS IS IN REGARDS TO MY 2002 L200 SATURN 4-DOOR SEDAN, VIN NO- [XXX] ENGINE: 2.2 L DOHC 16 VALVE L4 ENGINE LL0 1.9LL4 (THIS IS ON ONE OF THE SATURN SERVICE PAPERS ABOUT THE ENGINE) MY COMPLAINT IS VERY LONG AND EXCEEDS THE 2,000 CHARACTER MARK, I WILL BE MAILING YOU ALL OF THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION. I WAS TOLD THAT A CL…
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THIS IS IN REGARDS TO MY 2002 L200 SATURN 4-DOOR SEDAN, VIN NO- [XXX] ENGINE: 2.2 L DOHC 16 VALVE L4 ENGINE LL0 1.9LL4 (THIS IS ON ONE OF THE SATURN SERVICE PAPERS ABOUT THE ENGINE) MY COMPLAINT IS VERY LONG AND EXCEEDS THE 2,000 CHARACTER MARK, I WILL BE MAILING YOU ALL OF THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION. I WAS TOLD THAT A CLAIM NUMBER WAS NEEDED IN ORDER TO DO THIS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE OHIO ATTORNEY GENERAL AS WELL. THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED IN MY SATURN. *JB THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT A NEW TIMING CHAIN AND BALANCE CHAIN WOULD PROBABLY FIX THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE THE CONSUMER AGREED TO THE REPAIR. REPLACING THE CHAINS DIDNT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE CONSUMER HADN'T PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10156523
77,000 miles · May 20, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
TIMING CHAIN PREMATURELY FAILED AND RUINED MY ENGINE. I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I AM INCENSED AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE SATURN DEALERSHIP THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN AN INCORRECT OIL CHANGE BY A NON-DEALERSHIP GARAGE. IN CHECKING ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS TO BE A FREQUENT PROB…
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TIMING CHAIN PREMATURELY FAILED AND RUINED MY ENGINE. I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I AM INCENSED AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE SATURN DEALERSHIP THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN AN INCORRECT OIL CHANGE BY A NON-DEALERSHIP GARAGE. IN CHECKING ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS TO BE A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH L200 SATURNS. WHY HAS THE NHTSA NOT TAKEN ACTION TO REQUIRE SATURN TO RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM? HOW MANY DEATHS WILL IT TAKE TO WARRANT A RECALL? *NM
NHTSA ODI #10157927
42,000 miles · Apr 28, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
I SEE THAT THE NHTSA ALREADY HAS AN OPEN COMPLAINT REGARDING THE TIMING CHAIN ON VARIOUS SATURNS 2.2. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE TIMING CHAIN OILER. I HAVE A 2002 SATURN L200, 42,000 MILES, WHICH THE TIMING CHAIN JUST WENT OUT ON. I WAS TURNING AT A LIGHT AND ALMOST GOT HIT SINCE THE CAR LOST POWER. PLEASE …
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I SEE THAT THE NHTSA ALREADY HAS AN OPEN COMPLAINT REGARDING THE TIMING CHAIN ON VARIOUS SATURNS 2.2. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE TIMING CHAIN OILER. I HAVE A 2002 SATURN L200, 42,000 MILES, WHICH THE TIMING CHAIN JUST WENT OUT ON. I WAS TURNING AT A LIGHT AND ALMOST GOT HIT SINCE THE CAR LOST POWER. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. SATURN IS UNWILLING TO HELP ME. THANKS IN ADVANCE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10156399
38,182 miles · Apr 11, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
TIMING CHAIN ON MY SATURN L200 BROKE WITH NO WARNING. THE CAR HAS ONLY 38,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED. I WAS VERY LUCKY IT BROKE WHILE STARTING UP THE CAR, INSTEAD OF DRIVING, BECAUSE THE REPAIRS WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTENSIVE. MY LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP ONLY CHARGED ME LABOR, THEY COVERED PARTS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10155031
49,002 miles · Apr 5, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAD JUST LEFT MY HOUSE FOR WORK AND THE CAR JUST DIED - LUCKILY I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN. HE SAID I SHOULD CONTACT SATURN BECAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN. MY CAR HAS ONLY 49,000 MILES ON IT. I CALLED SATURN AND THEY TOLD ME TO HAVE IT EV…
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I HAD JUST LEFT MY HOUSE FOR WORK AND THE CAR JUST DIED - LUCKILY I WASN'T ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN. HE SAID I SHOULD CONTACT SATURN BECAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN. MY CAR HAS ONLY 49,000 MILES ON IT. I CALLED SATURN AND THEY TOLD ME TO HAVE IT EVALUATED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE SATURN DEALERSHIP. HE SAID IT WOULD COST $950.00 TO REPAIR AND DIDN'T KNOW IF THERE WAS ANY OTHER DAMAGE. SATURN CUSTOMER RELATIONS SAID THEY WOULD ARRANGE TO PAY FOR HALF OF THE COST AND SUPPLY ME WITH A RENTAL CAR. I HAD NOT HAD THE CAR SERVICED BY SATURN SINCE JUNE 2004 AND HAD NOT PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. ON FURTHER EXAMINATION THE VALVES WERE BEND ON THE ENGINE DUE TO THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. SATURN SAID THEY WOULD COVER HALF OF THAT COST ALSO. THE TOTAL REPAIR IS $900. I STILL DON'T HAVE MY CAR BACK. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10154620
103,000 miles · Mar 30, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE TRAVELING AT A STEADY SPEED OF 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT, MY 2002 SATURN LW200 STATION WAGON SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND COASTED TO A STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. I WAS STRANDED ON THE SHOULDER UNTIL I WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE GARAGE AND BY A SATURN…
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WHILE TRAVELING AT A STEADY SPEED OF 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT, MY 2002 SATURN LW200 STATION WAGON SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND COASTED TO A STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. I WAS STRANDED ON THE SHOULDER UNTIL I WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE GARAGE AND BY A SATURN DEALER AS A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN RESULTING IN LOSS OF COMPRESSION DUE TO BENT OR BROKEN VALVES. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE AND APPARENTLY REQUIRES AN NEW ENGINE OR OVERHAUL. TO DATE, THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. THE SATURN CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER STATED THAT SATURN IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO CORRECT THE DAMAGE RESULTING FROM THE FAILED TIMING CHAIN. SATURN ALSO CLAIMED THAT MY VEHICLE DID NOT FALL INTO THE VIN RANGE ASSOCIATED WITH THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURES ADDRESSED IN THEIR REDESIGN OF THE TIMING CHAIN. CURRENTLY, THE ENGINE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND IS AVAILABLE FOR EXAMINATION. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10154167
59,414 miles · Mar 23, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON 3/9/06 MY SATURN L200 2002 WOULD NOT START, I SPOKE TO VARIOUS PEOPLE AT SATURN AND RECEIVED 4 DIFFERENT PROBLEMS, (TRANSMISSION, TIMING CHAIN BROKE,NEED A NEW ENGINE AND NOW THE TIMING CHAIN IS STRETCHED) I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY SERVICE WHAT SO EVER, THEY ARE NOW SAYING IT IS LACK OF MAINTENANCE, WHEN I ASKED FOR A EXPLANATI…
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ON 3/9/06 MY SATURN L200 2002 WOULD NOT START, I SPOKE TO VARIOUS PEOPLE AT SATURN AND RECEIVED 4 DIFFERENT PROBLEMS, (TRANSMISSION, TIMING CHAIN BROKE,NEED A NEW ENGINE AND NOW THE TIMING CHAIN IS STRETCHED) I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY SERVICE WHAT SO EVER, THEY ARE NOW SAYING IT IS LACK OF MAINTENANCE, WHEN I ASKED FOR A EXPLANATION THE REGIONAL AREA MANAGER HUNG THE PHONE UP ON ME!!! HE SAID HE HAD NO IDEA THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE OILER VALVE WHICH NOW I KNOW THERE IS. I HAVE BEEN PROMISE CALL BACKS AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ONE. I ALSO EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT I HAVE PURCHASED 4 VEHICLES AND HAD RECALLS, MAINT., ETC. DONE WHICH HE DID NOT CARE, HIS RESPONSE WAS WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TELL YOU!!!THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10153491
NHTSA investigations
8PE09028 · Fuel Pump Leaks
Opened May 21, 2009 · Closed Oct 27, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON NINE VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE (VOQ) REPORTS ALLEGING GASOLINE LEAKAGE FROM THE IN-TANK FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORTED LEAKS FROM THE FUEL PUMP NIPPLE (I.E., THE FITTING FOR THE FUEL SUPPLY AND/OR RETURN HOSES).OTHERS REPORTED LEAKAGE FROM FUEL PUMP CRACKS, FUEL PUMP LINES, AND FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK.ODI WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY THAT ALL OF THE LEAKS ORIGINATED FROM THE FUEL PUMP HOSE FITTINGS AND OR NIPPLES.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF THE AVAILABLE COMPLAINT DATA ATTRIBUTED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES SHOW A LOW OVERALL RATE AND A DECLINING TREND, AS 75% OF THE REPORTS WERE RECEIVED PRIOR TO CALENDAR YEAR 2009.COMPLAINT DATA FOR MODEL YEAR 2001 AND 2003 VEHICLES ALSO DEMONSTRATES A LOW RATE AND SIMILAR DECLINING TREND.A DEFECT TREND 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 A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON NINE VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE (VOQ) REPORTS ALLEGING GASOLINE LEAKAGE FROM THE IN-TANK FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORTED LEAKS FROM THE FUEL PUMP NIPPLE (I.E., THE FITTING FOR THE FUEL SUPPLY AND/OR RETURN HOSES).OTHERS REPORTED LEAKAGE FROM FUEL PUMP CRACKS, FUEL PUMP LINES, AND FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK.ODI WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY THAT ALL OF THE LEAKS ORIGINATED FROM THE FUEL PUMP HOSE FITTINGS AND OR NIPPLES.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF THE AVAILABLE COMPLAINT DATA ATTRIBUTED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES SHOW A LOW OVERALL RATE AND A DECLINING TREND, AS 75% OF THE REPORTS WERE RECEIVED PRIOR TO CALENDAR YEAR 2009.COMPLAINT DATA FOR MODEL YEAR 2001 AND 2003 VEHICLES ALSO DEMONSTRATES A LOW RATE AND SIMILAR DECLINING TREND.A DEFECT TREND 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 A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON NINE VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE (VOQ) REPORTS ALLEGING GASOLINE LEAKAGE FROM THE IN-TANK FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORTED LEAKS FROM THE FUEL PUMP NIPPLE (I.E., THE FITTING FOR THE FUEL SUPPLY AND/OR RETURN HOSES).OTHERS REPORTED LEAKAGE FROM FUEL PUMP CRACKS, FUEL PUMP LINES, AND FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK.ODI WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY THAT ALL OF THE LEAKS ORIGINATED FROM THE FUEL PUMP HOSE FITTINGS AND OR NIPPLES.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF THE AVAILABLE COMPLAINT DATA ATTRIBUTED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES SHOW A LOW OVERALL RATE AND A DECLINING TREND, AS 75% OF THE REPORTS WERE RECEIVED PRIOR TO CALENDAR YEAR 2009.COMPLAINT DATA FOR MODEL YEAR 2001 AND 2003 VEHICLES ALSO DEMONSTRATES A LOW RATE AND SIMILAR DECLINING TREND.A DEFECT TREND 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 A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
PE08061 · 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.
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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