Exterior Lighting. Review the 154 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 128 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 115 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports10 fire reports7 injury reports

Power Train complaints

128 reports

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133,000 miles · Apr 17, 2015

Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

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ISSUES WITH THE 2007 SATURN OUTLOOK INCLUDE ONGOING ELECTRICAL ISSUES (LIGHTS INTERMITTENT FUNCTIONING, STABILITRACK, TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS LIGHTS ON INTERMITTENTLY, REMOTE START DOESN'T WORK, POWER LIFT GATE OPENS ON IT'S OWN, LIFT GATE SWITCH FAILED INTERNALLY), AIR INTAKE FILLED WITH OIL AND WATER MIX, WATER UNDER FUEL INDUCTION SERVICE, INTERMITTENTLY THE STABILITRACK WILL TURN OFF, MESSAGE SAYING 'ENGINE POWER REDUCED', CAR SHAKES, NO POWER AND REQUIRES COASTING TO SIDE OF ROAD. (THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE IS TEMPORARILY ADDRESSED BY TURNING THE CAR OFF, REMOVING THE KEYS, OPENING THE DOOR, WAITING FIVE MINUTES. THEN THE CAR STARTS BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON.) REQUIRED NEW THROTTLE BODY, REPLACING STRUTS, SWAY BAR LINK, SHOT AND/OR STRUT ASSEMBLY. RACK AND PINION, TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MOST RECENTLY HAVING DIFFICULTIES WITH HARD SHIFTING, CEL AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ON, INTAKE BOOT FULL OF OIL, VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR UNTIL 4000RMP'S AND DOES THE SAME THING ON HIGHWAY IN 2ND GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706246

103,000 miles · Apr 8, 2015

Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN OUTLOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH WAVE PLATE MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFT CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ODI #10704504

122,000 miles · Feb 15, 2015

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT LEAVING ME STRANDED - DURING A CHICAGO SNOW STORM. I'M BEING TOLD THAT IT'S THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN - ONLY NOW THE POWER TRAN WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683531

52,834 miles · Feb 6, 2015

Power Train

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DRIVING HOME FROM THE STORE WHEN ENTERING A DANGEROUS INTERSECTION MY TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT. LUCKILY I HAD ENOUGH SPEED TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. UPON TAKING MY VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS, I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE WAVE PLATE SHATTERED AND PIECES WERE NOW IN MY TRANSMISSION. I CALLED GM TO GET SOME FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SINCE MY VEHICLE HAD SUCH LOW MILEAGE. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL. AFTER SPEAKING TO THE OWNER OF THE TRANSMISSION SHOP AND DOING SOME ONLINE INVESTIGATING, IT APPEARS THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE WAVE PLATE IN THEIR SATURN OUTLOOK OR GM ACADIA. I FEEL THE WAVE PLATE IS DEFECTIVE AND THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE PUT IN PLACE SO NO ONE ELSE GETS HURT FROM THEIR TRANSMISSION GIVING OUT ON THEM. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10681715

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2015

Power Train

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I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (14329) FROM GM AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER 2014. THE RECALL STATED: THIS LETTER IS INTENDED TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT SOME 2007 MODEL YEAR SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES MAY DEVELOP A POWER STEERING PUMP WEAR CONDITION THAT CAN CAUSE AN INTERMITTENT DROP OF POWER STEERING HYDRAULIC PRESSURE THAT WILL CAUSE REDUCED OR LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST. THE VEHICLE MAY REVERT TO MANUAL STEERING WHICH REQUIRES GREATER DRIVER EFFORT, PARTICULARLY AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP IN DECEMBER. THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE AN APPOINTMENT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK YESTERDAY. AT FIRST THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TRIED TO TELL ME THAT THE LETTER WAS MORE OF "IF YOU WANT TO BUY A WARRANTY". I INFORMED HIM THAT THE STEERING WHEEL HAS BEEN MAKING A 'WHIRRING' SOUND AND TO INSPECT IT. OF COURSE THEY CALLED WITHIN AN HOUR TO STATE THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS BAD. THE VEHICLE ALSO NEEDED TO HAVE THE RACK AND PINION REPLACED, FRONT STRUTS REPLACED, AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE COST TO ME WAS $1800. ALL OF THIS IS A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE GM PRODUCT. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY THEM. SHAME ON GM. I AM AWARE THAT THERE IS A GM RECALL ON THE 2009 AND NEWER TRAVERSE, ACADIA, AND ENCLAVE MODELS. THE SATURN MODELS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS TOO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10676793

132,000 miles · Nov 20, 2014

Power Train

I HAVE A 2007 SATURN OUTLOOK. WIFE DRIVES THIS VEHICLE EVERY DAY UNTIL IT STOPPED SHIFTING OUT OF SECOND GEAR! SHE WOULD STOP AT THE END OF OUR ROAD AND GO TO TAKE OFF AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN WOULD NOT CHANGE OUT OF 2ND GEAR. I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE. I…

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NHTSA ODI #10659804

104,000 miles · Sep 16, 2014

Power Train

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OUR 2007 SATURN OUTLOOK BROKE DOWN WITH THE DREADED WAVE PLATE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SYMPTOM WAS THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL ON ITS OWN AROUND 30-35 MPH AND WOULD NOT CONTINUE. WE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO RESTART. EACH TIME THE TRANSMISSION HELD UP UNTIL 30-35 MPH THEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND STOPPED. WE HAD THE OUTLOOK TOWED TO FNA TRANSMISSION IN WAKEFIELD, MA WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE WAVE PLATE FAILED AND SHREDDED THE REST OF THE TRANSMISSION...NOTHING COULD BE SAVED. WHILE I AM HAPPY NO ONE WAS HURT, A TRANSMISSION SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 104K MILES, WHICH IS OF COURSE OUT OF WARRANTY PERIOD. THE REPAIR COST $3000. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ON THIS KNOWN ISSUE? WE HAD PLANNED TO TRADE THIS OUTLOOK IN FOR A NEWER TRAVERSE, BUT NOW I AM NOT CONFIDENT IN THE PRODUCT. GM, PLEASE FESS UP TO THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10633659

63,000 miles · Aug 25, 2014

EnginePower Train

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APRIL 2012 WAS THE FIRST TRANSMISSION FAILURE INCIDENT. UNDER WARRANTY AT THIS POINT 63000 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY, PRESSURE PLATES HAD DISINTEGRATED IN TRANSMISSION METAL IN TRANSMISSION FLUID. GMC HONORED WARRANTY AND TOOK CARE OF PROBLEM. 22000 MILES LATER, 2 YEARS PASS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING CHANGING GEARS PROPERLY. CAR WAS USED FOR 20 MINUTE ROUND TRIP COMMUTE TO WORK, LOCAL SHOPPING. OCCASIONALLY A 4 HOUR ROUND TRIP RECREATIONAL GET AWAY. NO TOWING OR HAULING. LESS THAN AVERAGE DRIVING. TOOK VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC, INFORMED THAT TRANSMISSION CODES 0752, 0700. MY MECHANIC REFERS ME TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALTY SHOP, AS HE DIDN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO PERFORM NECESSARY REPAIRS DIAGNOSTICS. AT THE TRANSMISSION SPECIALTY SHOP, SCAN CODE 0989 TRANSMISSION FLUID PRESSURE SWITCH, SHIFT SOLENOIDS STUCK ON. ADVISED WE NEED A NEW TRANNY, AS HE ALSO FOUND METAL PARTICLES IN TRANSMISSION FLUID. ADVISED 4 THOUSAND DOLLARS IS WHAT IT WOULD COST TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. HERE WE GO AGAIN SAME PROBLEM THAT GM FIXED 2 YEARS AGO 22000 MILES AGO. THE DEALER WHO ORIGINALLY DID REPAIRS 2 YEARS AGO SAID OUT OF WARRANTY NOW YOU HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. CALLED GM HEAD QUARTERS. THEY HAD CAR PICKED UP BY TOW TRUCK FROM TRANNY SPECIALIST SHOP, AND TOWED 30 MILES AWAY TO CHASE CHEVROLET 30 MINUTES AWAY. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR ALMOST 2 WEEKS NOW. THEY FINALLY CALL ME DAY NUMBER 12 TO TELL ME THEY FOUND CODE 0989 AND WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, AT A COST OF 800 DOLLARS TO ME AND GM WOULD PICK UP THE OTHER 400 DOLLARS, A 1200 DOLLAR REPAIR. I ASKED ABOUT THE METAL IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, SERVICE GUY TELLS ME IF I WANT THEM TO CHECK ON THAT ISSUE, AS REPORTED BY TRANNY SPECIALIST IT WOULD COST ME AND ADDITIONAL 24 HUNDRED DOLLARS TO TEAR ENGINE APART! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10628288

101,096 miles · Aug 18, 2014

Power Train

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HELLO I HAVE THE 2007 OUTLOOK THAT HAS EXPERIENCED THE NOTORIOUS TRANSMISSION FAILURE. MY CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP SOON AFTER I PURCHASED IT WITH 40,000 MILES AND TOLD THEM THE CAR WOULD ROLL BACK WHILE ON A HILL IN GEAR. THEY SAID IT WAS INHERENT WITH THIS TRANSMISSION AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. AS DANGEROUS AS THIS WAS TO SEND A CUSTOMER AWAY WITH A CAR THAT ROLLS BACKWARDS. TODAY THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT NOTICE. I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT IN THE LOWES PARKING LOT AND THE CAR SHUTTERED VIOLENTLY. I MADE IT TO THE CORNER ABOUT A HALF MILE AWAY BEFORE THE CAR SIMPLY WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD IT TOWED TO LUNGHAMER GMC AT 5825 HIGHLAND ROAD IN WATERFORD MICHIGAN. I PULLED THE ENGINE CODE MYSELF AND HAD P2723, P0700 I AM FINDING EVERYWHERE ON THE WEB THROUGH HUNDREDS OF FORUMS THAT THIS TRANSMISSION IS A REAL ISSUE DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE CHINA MADE WAVE PLATE. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART THAT IMPLODES INTERNALLY THEN TAKES OUT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE $4000.00 REPAIR , REPLACEMENT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS FAILURE EARLY ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626035

92,000 miles · Aug 5, 2014

Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET IN A WRECK ON THE INTERSTATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10619085

Official recalls

15V415000 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate

Jun 30, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.

10V240000 · Electrical System

Jun 4, 2010

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

08V441000 · Electrical System

Aug 28, 2008

GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL, SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WIPER WASHER FLUID SYSTEM. A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLUID HEATER MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR, OR CAUSE SMOKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM, GMC AT 1-866-996-9436; OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493; OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

08V410000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages

Aug 14, 2008

GM IS RECALLING 88,809 MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE, AND MY 2007-2008 GMC ACADIA AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES CURRENTLY OR PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IF A BUILDUP OF SNOW OR ICE ON THE WINDSHIELD OR ON THE WIPERS RESTRICTS THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIPER ARM, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE MOTOR SHAFT AND THE WIPERS MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIPER CRANK ARM, DRIVER'S SIDE LINK, AND A CRANK ARM NUT. THE RECALL BEGAN O OCTOBER 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

07V062000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Feb 21, 2007

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM), WHICH CONTROLS THE FUNCTION OF FRONT AIR BAGS, MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT AIR BAGS MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH. ALSO, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MAY FAIL TO PROVIDE WARNING THAT THE SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THIS CONDITION COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO OCCUPANTS IN THE FRONT SEAT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SDM COMPUTER MODULE. THIS RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GMC AT 1-866-966-9463 OR SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

DP12003 · Loss Of Headlamp Illumination

Opened Jun 4, 2012 · Closed Jul 24, 2014

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

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

EA08010 · NON-CRASH Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Jun 12, 2008 · Closed Sep 8, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery; Electrical System:wiring; Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood; Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers; Engine And Engine Cooling; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:switch/wiring

IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 27, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-441) TO ADDRESS A SAFETY RELATEDDEFECT THAT CAN RESULT IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IN APPROXIMATELY 850,000 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID OPTION.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES OF THIS INVESTIGATION COMPRISE OVER THREE-QUARTERS OF THE RECALL POPULATION. ACCORDING TO GM, A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID HEATER MODULE MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE. THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR OR CAUSE SMOKE AND IN RARE CASES IT MAY CAUSE A FIRE.AS A REMEDY, GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE. IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, SEVERAL OTHER GM MODELS WITH THE HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID OPTION ARE INCLUDED IN RECALL 08V-441: MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE (MANUFACTURED AUGUST 2005 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2007); MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE (MANUFACTURED FEBRUARY 2007 THROUGH APRIL 2007); MY 2006-2008 CADILLAC DTS (MANUFACTURED MAY 2007 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2007); MY 2007-2008 SATURN OUTLOOK (MANUFACTURED AUGUST 2006 THROUGH APRIL 2007); AND MY 2007-2008 GMC ACADIA (MANUFACTURED AUGUST 2006 THROUGH APRIL 2007) VEHICLES.GM IS INSTRUCTING OWNERS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR SERVICE IF THEY EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS OF WINDSHIELD WASHER HEATER MODULE SHORT CIRCUITS. GM'S RECALL RESOLVES THE SAFETY DEFECT CONCERNS PURSUED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (9)

Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery

Electrical System

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Electrical System:wiring

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Engine And Engine Cooling

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:switch/wiring