Exterior Lighting. Review the 247 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 164 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 127 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports19 fire reports3 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

247 reports

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34,000 miles · Jan 8, 2011

Exterior Lighting

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2008 SATURN OUTLOOK, PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT IS ON AGAIN, OFF AGAIN. I REPLACED THE LIGHT BULB, AND USED THE CORRECT "BULB GREASE" IN THE SOCKET, BUT THE WIRE HARNESS THAT POWERS THE LIGHT BULB LOOKS TO BE TOO LIGHT IN GAUGE TO POWER THE HEADLIGHT. THE BULB WILL LIGHT SOMETIMES, BUT THEN GO OUT FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME, INDICATING A SHORT SOMEWHERE IN THE WIRING HARNESS. THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT THE HEADLIGHT IS OUT HAS INCREASED INCREMENTALLY OVER TIME. THE PROBLEM BEGAN ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO, WHILE THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 34000 MILES ON IT, AND I HAD ASSUMED IT WAS A FAULTY LIGHT BULB. I NOW HAVE OVER 39000 MILES ON THE TRUCK, AND AM READING OF A SIMILAR PROBLEM THAT OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE ARE EXPERIENCING. I AM AFRAID THAT IF I BEGIN EXPERIENCING THE SAME LIGHT FAILURE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, I WILL LOSE ALL VISIBILITY AT NIGHT. WITH 39000 MILES NOW ON THE TRUCK, I AM OUT OF WARRANTY, AND DREAD SEEING THE COST OF A REPLACEMENT WIRE HARNESS, AFTER HAVING REPLACED THE BULB THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL. *LN

NHTSA ODI #10375224

41,000 miles · Jan 3, 2011

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT BECAME INOPERATIVE, WIRE HARNESS REPLACED DUE TO REPAIR DESCRIPTION OF "MELTING". NO INCIDENT FOR APPROX 9 MONTHS. DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT BECOMES INOPERATIVE INTERMITTENTLY DURING DRIVING. HAND ADJUSTMENT OF WIRE HARNESS TEMPORARILY ALLOWS HEADLIGHT TO FUNCTION. PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT BEGINS TO FAIL IN …

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NHTSA ODI #10373950

40,000 miles · Jan 2, 2011

Exterior Lighting

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HAVE REPLACED PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT BULB 3 TIMES IN TWO YEARS. AFTER LAST REPLACEMENT LASTED TWO DAYS I GOT UP INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY (AN ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TASK) TO SEE THAT THE WIRING INSIDE THE SOCKET WAS MELTED AND BURNT AWAY. I SUSPECT THAT THE WIRE SHIELDING LEADING TO THE SOCKET WAS NEVER THERE, FROM THE FACTORY. IT APPEARED THAT THE WIRE WAS LEFT UNSHIELDED AND ARCD OUT AGAINST THE METAL SOCKET RETAINER. THE PLASTIC COMPONENTS ARE ALL BUT MELTED AWAY FROM THIS GROUNDING. I WENT TO THE GM DEALER I MADE PURCHASE FROM AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE IS A "SERVICE ADVISORY", BUT NO RECALL. FURTHER, I'VE WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE SEEING "A TON" OF THESE. I WAS TOLD OF DISASSEMBLY OF THE FRONT END TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. LASTLY, THE COST MIGHT EXCEED $300. THIS IS AN UNREASONABLE EXPENSE FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE AS SIMPLE AS CHANGING A BULB. I AM LEFT WITH NO RECOURSE BUT TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE WIRING MYSELF WITH THE BEST PARTS I CAN FIND. I CAN ONLY WONDER WHAT THE OTHER HEADLIGHT IS DOING UNDER THERE. I FEAR THAT THE FIRE HAZARD IS REAL AND TANGIBLE. I HAD UNDERSTOOD THAT SATURN'S REPUTATION WAS OUTSTANDING FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SUPERIOR PRODUCT ENGINEERING. BUT WE LOYAL SATURN OWNERS SEEM TO BE ON OUR OWN NOW. AT LEAST THOSE OF US WITH MILEAGE OVER 36,000 MILES. WHAT I WOULD LIKETO SEE IS GM STAND BEHIND THIS PRODUCT WITH SUCH AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT AS HEADLIGHT SAFETY AND POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373765

52,000 miles · Dec 29, 2010

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

2008 SATURN OUTLOOK WIRING HARNESS ON HEADLIGHT OVERHEATED AND HEADLIGHT NO LONGER WORKS. ALREADY HAD AT SERVICE CENTER TWICE. PAID FOR REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHT WHICH WENT OUT A DAY OR TWO LATER; THEN PAID FOR A DIAGNOSIS. ALREADY PULLED OVER TWICE BY LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR HAVING HEADLIGHT OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373279

Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2010

Exterior Lighting

2008 SATURN OUTLOOK. WIRING HARNESS MELT SHUTTING DOWN THE HEADLIGHTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10372557

41,000 miles · Dec 23, 2010

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT OUT ON THE 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK. WENT OUT ONE DAY, A FEW DAYS LATER STARTED WORKING AGAIN. NOW IS OUT FOR GOOD ON "LOW BEAM" WILL WORK FOR "HIGH BEAMS". *LN

NHTSA ODI #10372247

35,000 miles · Dec 22, 2010

Exterior Lighting

SPONTANEOUS LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILURES DUE TO WIRING HARNESS DEFECT. HEADLIGHT SOCKET HARNESS & WIRING WAS MELTED. PASSENGER SIDE FAILED IN OCTOBER 2010. DRIVER SIDE FAILED IN DECEMBER 2010. IN BOTH CASES THE GM DEALER NEEDED TO REPLACE HARNESS & BULB. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10372133

61,163 miles · Dec 21, 2010

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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OUR 2008 SATURN JUST HAD TO HAVE THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOW LAMP HEADLIGHT FIXED. MELTED HARNESS PIECE. WE HAD TO PAY FOR THIS ONE BECAUSE WE ARE OUT OF WARRANTY TIME (60K MILES). THE PASSENGER SIDE LAMP WENT OUT WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. IT'S RIDICULOUS THAT WE JUST SPENT $279 TO HAVE A LIGHT REPAIRED THAT SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH SATURNS... BEFORE THAT WE HAD THE WHOLE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT PROBLEM. THE CAR DOESN'T SENSE WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. DEALERSHIP SAID CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT WILL COST US BECAUSE IT'S PROBABLY A FAULTY SENSOR. THIS IS OUR SECOND OUTLOOK. LEMON-LAWED THE 2007 AND THOUGHT WE'D GIVE THEM ANOTHER CHANCE. NOT SMART ON OUR PART IN RETROSPECT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10372010

35,000 miles · Dec 20, 2010

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OR AT A STOP LIGHT THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WOULD SHUT OFF AND HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN IT BACK ON. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE HEADLIGHT WIRING AND SOCKET MELTED AND NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WIRING AND SOCKET WERE REPLACED. THE LEFT HEADLIGHT HAD ALSO EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AS THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT. THE LEFT HEADLIGHT HAS YET TO BE INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000. UPDATED 02/23/11*LJ THE HEAD LIGHT WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 05/20/11

NHTSA ODI #10371834

37,000 miles · Dec 20, 2010

Exterior Lighting

I HAVE REPLACED THE LOW BEAM LIGHT IN MY 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK TWICE IN THE PAST MONTH AND IT'S OUT AGAIN. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS MATTER ONLINE, I NOW SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND I FEEL THAT GM NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THESE COMPLAINTS IMMEDIATELY AND ISSUE A RECALL TO CORRECT THIS MATTER BEFORE THIS CAUSES SOMEONE TO GET H…

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NHTSA ODI #10371738

Official recalls

15V415000 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate

Jun 30, 2015

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

Consequence & remedy

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

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

14V118000 · Air Bags:side/window

Mar 17, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.

10V240000 · Electrical System

Jun 4, 2010

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

Consequence & remedy

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

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

08V441000 · Electrical System

Aug 28, 2008

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

Consequence & remedy

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

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

08V410000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages

Aug 14, 2008

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

Consequence & remedy

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

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

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

NHTSA investigations

DP12003 · Loss Of Headlamp Illumination

Opened Jun 4, 2012 · Closed Jul 24, 2014

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

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

EA08010 · NON-CRASH Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Jun 12, 2008 · Closed Sep 8, 2008

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

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

Additional source detail variants (9)

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

Electrical System

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Electrical System:wiring

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Engine And Engine Cooling

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:switch/wiring