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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50,000 miles · Dec 2, 2011

Exterior Lighting

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FRONT HEADLIGHT ON RIGHT SIDE STOPPED WORKING, REPLACED LOW BEAM BULB, LASTED ABOUT 2 WEEKS, REPLACED IT A 2ND TIME, AGAIN LASTING ABOUT 1 WEEK. BROUGHT TO DEALER, THEY STATED THAT IT WAS A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS TO THE HEAD LIGHT AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHO REPLACED WIRING HARNESS ON RIGHT SIDE UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THE LEFT SIDE IS OUT AND REPLACED BULB THAT LASTED 1 DAY. WIRING HARNESS NEEDS REPLACEMENT, WHICH I AM TOLD IS EXCESS OF $500.00. AS WARRANTY IS NOW EXPIRED. BOTH WIRING HARNESSES SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME, GM KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND SHOULD HAVE A RECALL OF ALL MODEL WITH THESE LIGHTING PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10438135

63,394 miles · Nov 22, 2011

Exterior Lighting

THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT IS NOT FUNCTIONING. I HAVE CHECKED INTO REPLACING IT AND IT WILL COST $100 FOR ONE REPLACEMENT HEADLAMP! I HAVE ALSO HEARD THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR, AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO EVEN ACCESS THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436784

35,000 miles · Nov 21, 2011

Exterior Lighting

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AT APPROXIMATELY 35000 MILES, THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP STOPPED LIGHTING. I ASSUMED THAT THE HEADLAMP HAD BLOWN, AND LEFT IT ALONE UNTIL MY STATE INSPECTION WAS DUE, 2 MONTHS LATER. WHEN I FINALLY ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE BULB, I LEARNED THAT THE BULB WAS FINE, BUT THE HARNESS HAD FAILED, AND MY 36000 MILE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED.CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP HAD MELTED, WHERE THE WIRES ENTER INTO THE LAMP BASE, AND ARE HELD INTO THE BASE WITH A POURED PLASTIC "BACKLIGHT" TYPE SEALER, LIKE THE TYPE SEEN POURED OVER CIRCUIT BOARDS, TO PREVENT TAMPERING. I ACCESSED THAT SOCKET, AND CUT THE FACTORY SOCKET OFF OF THE WIRE HARNESS. I REPLACED THE SOCKET WITH ONE THAT I PURCHASED ONLINE, WHICH WAS OF A MUCH HEAVIER GAUGE THAN THE INFERIOR GAUGE OF WIRE THAT CAME FROM THE FACTORY. IT IS NOW 1 YEAR LATER, AND THE EXACT SAME THING HAS OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. WHEN I HOLD THE FACTORY LAMP SOCKET IN MY HAND, AND BEND THE WIRES AT THE SOCKET BASE, THE BULB WORKS ONLY INTERMITTENTLY, AS IF THE COPPER WIRE INSIDE THE INSULATION HAS DEGRADED SO SEVERELY THAT A GOOD CONTACT CAN NO LONGER BE MAINTAINED. I HAVE NOT YET ORDERED A REPLACEMENT SOCKET FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND DREAD THE LABOR THAT IS INVOLVED IN REMOVING THE TIRE, DROPPING THE FENDER COWL, CUTTING THE FACTORY HARNESS AWAY FROM THE FACTORY LAMP BASE, AND REWIRING THE NEW LAMP BASE TO THE FACTORY HARNESS.IT IS LABOR INTENSIVE, AND IT IS DANGEROUS. IT IS CLEAR TO ME THAT THE HEAT BUILD UP FROM THE BULB, IN COMBINATION WITH THE UNDERSIZED WIRING ENTERING THE BASE, HAS CREATED A MELT HAZARD, WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY ALLOWS MOISTURE INTO THE COPPER STRAND WIRE, ALLOWING THE COPPER TO CORRODE SIGNIFICANTLY, AND ULTIMATELY THE COPPER DISINTEGRATES COMPLETELY, LOSING ITS CONNECTION ALTOGETHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436670

58,000 miles · Nov 20, 2011

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT AND WAS REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER THE SAME LIGHT BURNED OUT. THIS TIME ALL THE WIRING WAS PULLED OUT AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED. LOOKING ON ONLINE IT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE A BIG PROBLEM. AS I AM DRIVING MY 3 CHILDREN AROUND, I WOULD LIKE MY HEADLIGHTS TO WORK AND NO…

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NHTSA ODI #10436495

40,000 miles · Nov 20, 2011

Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHT BURNED OUT. WHEN I WENT TO REPLACE IT I NOTICED THE WIRE WAS BURNT. AFTER READING ON THE INTERNET, MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH SATURN OUTLOOK. SHOULD BE A RECALL. I HAVE 40, 000 MILES AND MY WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR, PLEASE DON'T WAIT UNTIL THERE IS A FIRE OR SOMEONE IS INJURED TO DO…

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NHTSA ODI #10436481

50,000 miles · Nov 19, 2011

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

HEADLAMP FAILED, WIRING MELTED. NEXT TIME THE CAR MAY GO UP IN FLAMES. DANGEROUS!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10436449

39,000 miles · Nov 10, 2011

Exterior Lighting

DISCOVERED THE DRIVERS SIDE HARNESS HAD MELTED WHEN CHANGING THE DIM HEADLAMP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435234

37,000 miles · Nov 9, 2011

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE HEADLAMP ON MY 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK HAS GONE OUT MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE WIRING HARNESS REPLACED MORE THAN 3 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THE NEW HARNESS LASTED A COUPLE OF MONTHS. THE LAST TWO TIMES, IT ONLY LASTED ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE BURNING UP AGAIN. THE HAR…

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NHTSA ODI #10434990

40,000 miles · Nov 7, 2011

Exterior Lighting

HEAD LIGHT HAS BURNED OUT, WE WERE TOLD IT WAS FAULTY WIRING IN THE ASSEMBLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434790

40,568 miles · Nov 6, 2011

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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MY 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK LOST BOTH HEADLIGHTS IN DECEMBER 2010 WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS OF EACH OTHER. THE DEALER INFORMED US THE BULBS HAD BURNED OUT AND WHEN THEY BURNED OUT THEY BURNED/CORRODED THE WIRING HARNESSES CONNECTED TO THEM, NECESSITATING A $200 REPAIR. LESS THAN A YEAR LATER, IN NOVEMBER 2011, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN. WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON NOVEMBER 4, 2011, THEY INFORMED US THE BULB HAD BURNED OUT AND THE HARNESS HAD BURNED OUT AGAIN, AND SAID THE REPAIR WOULD BE MORE THAN $200. WE HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM DOCUMENTED BY MANY SATURN OWNERS ON SATURN FAN SITES, AND ALSO READ TO CONTACT NHTSA TO NOTIFY YOU OF THIS COMMON AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE SATURN OUTLOOK SO THAT YOU COULD CONSIDER ORDERING GM TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES. I HOPE YOU WILL ORDER A RECALL AND ORDER GM TO SOLVE AN UNNECESSARY DESIGN PROBLEM THAT IS A NUISANCE AT BEST AND COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO A FIRE OR LOST VISIBILITY THAT COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTS AT WORST. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434414

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