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

Power Train complaints

127 reports

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Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2024

Power Train

Transmission is failing. Reverse is slipping. Low torque trying back up inclines. Known problem with 2008 Acadia, Enclave, Traverse & Outlook per transmission shop who test drove and scanned. No code via dashboard, but scan tools and professional diagnostics verify failure. Techem has been replaced in February 2019, by GM servic…

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NHTSA ODI #11622653

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2023

Power Train

This has been a big problem for all Saturn owners. The transmissions are always going out in them. This transmission is starting to slip. I’m surprised there is no recalls. Very disappointed.

NHTSA ODI #11548011

93,000 miles · Mar 13, 2020

Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALL STAR CHEVROLET LOCATED AT (9352 PLANK RD, BATON ROUGE, LA 70811) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MAD…

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NHTSA ODI #11317850

67,430 miles · Jul 4, 2019

Power Train

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DEAR NHTSA, PLEASE FIRST REFER TO THIS KNOWN ISSUE: NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10126145 MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBER: GCUS-9-2635 14404B ' SPECIAL COVERAGE.BULLETIN. THIS WAS AN OFFER FROM GM TO REPAIR THIS KNOWN DEFECT IF IT OCCURED EITHER BEFORE 120K MILES OR 10 YEARS. MY WIFE'S 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK IS USED FOR KID TRANSPORTATION AND LOCAL TRIPS MOSTLY SO SHE NEVER PUTS ON THAT MUCH MILEAGE. THIS VEHICLE WENT INTO SERVICE IN OR AROUND 10/2008. ON OR AROUND MARCH 1, 2019 HER OUTLOOK BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE ISSUES CONSISTENT WITH THIS GM TSB, FAILURE OF THE 35R WAVE PLATE, A KNOW ISSUE DOCUMENTED BY GM.THE THING WOULD JERK AND SHAKE IN REVERSE, WOULD EITHER FAIL TO SHIFT INTO 3RD OR 5TH OR IF IT DID, WHINE AND SHOW NO ACCELERATION IN THE LEAST. IT HAPPENED ABOUT 10 TIMES, ON LOCAL ROADS AND ON THE HIGHWAY, VERY DANGEROUS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO OUR LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT, ONLY 67K MILES AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I ASKED THE SERVICE WRITER ABOUT HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED RATHER THAN REPLACED. HE REALLY RECOMMENDED A FACTORY REBUILT UNIT. WE WERE LITERALLY 120 DAYS, 4 MONTHS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY COVERAGE PERIOD ON THIS ISSUE. SATURN/GM WOULD NOT BUDGE AND TOLD ME THAT AT SOME POINT I HAD TO OWN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE REPAIR! REALLY? ON A KNOW ISSUE THAT WAS OUTLINED IN THE TSB AS, "UPON FAILURE ONLY" SHOULD I BRING MY VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. HOW IS THIS FAIR? I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I EXPECT FROM THE NHTSA, BUT TO SIMPLY KNOW THAT GM SHOULD HAVE HONORED THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT, IT WAS ONLY FOUR MONTHS PAST THE CUT OFF AND IT IS A KNOW ISSUE. THANKS FOR LISTENING, I DO PLAN TO FILE A SMALL CLAIMS CASE AND CONTACT ANY AND ALL CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCIES ABOUT THIS MATTER. (XXXXX) REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11229465

203,700 miles · Nov 19, 2018

Power Train

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I WAS ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY, AND THE VEHICLE ACTED AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL ALL OF A SUDDEN, AND SLOWED DOWN WHILE MAINTAINING HIGH RPMS AND WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 10 MPH. I HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE BEING HIT BY TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE IT CHECKED. A CODE WAS PUT OUT OF IT FOR THE SHIFT SOLENOID FOR GEARS 1-2 BEING 'STUCK ON'. AFTER HAVING THE FLUID CHANGED AS STATED FOR A POSSIBLE CAUSE, EVERYTHING RETURNED TO NORMAL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. TODAY, ON 11/19/2018, I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAD TO ATTEMPT TO MAKE A SAFE EXIT. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, AND AUTO MECHANICS, THIS ISSUE IS HAPPENING A LOT WITH THESE SPECIFIC VEHICLES, AS WELL AS SIMILAR MODELS FROM OTHER MAKES AND THERE HAS YET TO BE A RECALL. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN.

NHTSA ODI #11152592

110,000 miles · Oct 23, 2018

Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK JUST LOST POWER. I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. AS I WAS PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE POWER CAME BACK BUT THE ENGINE WAS REVING VERY HIGH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I MANAGED TO GET ALMOST HOME WHEN THE GEAR GOT STUCK IN 1ST AND THE TRUCK WOULD NOT ACCELERATE HIGHER THAN 20 MPH. LUCKILY I WAS JUST ABOUT HOME. ONCE I ARRIVED AT MY HOME I TURNED OF THE TRUCK AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT WAS FINE. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN BUT WAS GUESSING IT MAY BE A SPEED SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION. ERROR CODES: P0741 & P0700. I HAVE ALSO TAKEN THE TRUCK INTO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP FOR JERKING AROUND 30-35MPH. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11142145

122,800 miles · Oct 10, 2018

Power Train

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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON PUBLIC ROAD THE TRANSMISSION FAILED IN 3RD GEAR WITHOUT WARNING WHILE IN MOTION AND I WAS UNABLE TO GET VEHICLE TO SAFE PLACE OFF OF THE PUBLIC ROAD WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A FREEWAY THE RESULT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURY OR DEATH. VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR CENTER AS IT WOULD NOT MOVE UNDER ITS OWN POWER. REPAIR CENTER CONFIRMED THAT PARTIAL FORWARD GEARS WERE NOT OPERABLE AS WELL AS REVERSE GEAR. ISSUE WAS IDENTIFIED TO BE CONSISTENT WITH A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS VEHICLE PLATFORM WITH 6 SPEED TRANSMISSIONS OF A FRACTURED WAVE PLATE. REPAIR CENTER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND VEHICLE CURRENTLY WORKING FINE FOR LAST 6000 MILES. AT THE TIME OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE THE VEHICLE HAD JUST OVER 122,000 MILES ON IT AND HAD BEEN IN SERVICE FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS AND 2 MONTHS

NHTSA ODI #11139428

160,000 miles · Oct 7, 2018

EnginePower TrainService Brakes

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BOUGHT FROM STERLING MOTORS IN WATERTOWN SD, IN 2017. TRADE IN WAS 2000, PLUS 500 DOLLARS CASH, FOR A 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK XR AWD. LOAN WAS FOR 10000 AFTER THE 2500 TRADE/PAYMENT. HAD 160000 MILES NOW HAS 180000. WITHIN LESS OF A WEEK CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, STABILITRAC, SERVICE AIR BAG, TIMING CHAIN, TRACTION CONTROL ALL CAME ON. AS OF 2018 WE HAVE REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES, BRAKES. STRUTS, ROTORS, TIE RODS, BATTERY, CO2 SENSOR, THERMOSTAT, AND A FEW OTHER THINGS. IT STILL NEEDS POWER STEERING PUMP, TIMING CHAIN FIX, CV JOINTS REPLACED AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE. I'VE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND HE TOLD ME I CAN NOT TRADE BACK, AND WHEN WE BOUGHT IT HE SAID IT PASSED THE SUSPECTION TEST AND CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. HE HAD TO TOP OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID AS IT WAS WHINING AND LOW, SAID THAT IT WAS BECAUSE THEY FLUSHED IT. SO NOW UPON TURNING IT HAS THIS WEIRD RUBBING VIBRATION AND LOUD SOUND, IT SHAKES AT ALL SPEEDS, IT LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING STUTTERS AT LOW SPEEDS, PASSENGER WINDOW BUTTON DON'T WORK, LOUD NOISES WHEN IDLING, WHINING NOISE FROM POWER STEERING EITHER JUST FROM STATIONARY OR DRIVING. IT TAKES FOREVER TO PASS SOMEONE AS IT ALMOST STALLS WITH THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. IT HAS A WEIRD CHEMICAL SMELL WHEN USING HEATER. THIS SATURN OUTLOOK IS UNRELIABLE, VERY UNSAFE EVEN AFTER FIXING WHAT I HAD ALREADY FIXED. I HAVE AN INVOICE FOR THE REPAIRS FROM WATERTOWN FORD DEALERSHIP IN SOUTH DAKOTA. STERLING MOTORS WILL NOT HELP, SAID THEY COULD FIX BUT I HAVE TO PAY FOR PARTS AND WORK. HE SOLD ME A LEMON AND HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OR WELLBEING OF ME, MY CHILDREN OR OTHERS ON THE ROAD. TALK TO THE LOAN PLACE AND ALL THEY SAID IS I HAVE AN AGREEMENT TO PAY REGARDLESS IF THE CAR WORKS OR NOT. I'M CURRENTLY 2 MONTHS BEHIND. I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER 700-3000 FIX WHILE PAYING 300 A MONTH FOR A SUV THAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11138849

125,000 miles · Aug 5, 2018

Power Train

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AFTER PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND PUTTING MY CAR IN PARK, I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TOOK THE KEY OUT OF IGNITION. AS I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS AND I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. I ALMOST HIT MY SON WHO HAD ALREADY EXITED THE VEHICLE. I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR BUT IT WOULD NOT START. THE CAR APPEARED TO BE IN PARK BUT WOULD ROLL BACK AS SOON AS I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. I COULD REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE DOOR LOCKS DID NOT UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY AS THEY USUALLY DO. I ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ROLLING. THE SHIFT CABLE NEEDED REPLACED DUE TO A FRACTURE OF THE LOCKING TABS. THERE HAS BEEN A SIMILAR RECALL FOR DIFFERENT YEARS AND MODELS SEE GM RECALL NO. 12106

NHTSA ODI #11115831

75,000 miles · Jul 31, 2018

Power TrainUnknown Or Other

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IN MY SATURN OUTLOOK. THE TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY. IVE TALKED TO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES WITH SATURN OUTLOOK. ALSO TALK TO SERVICE MANAGERS AT A COUPLE DIFFERENT GM DEALERSHIPS. TO WHICH THEY HAVE ALL SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS THOSE VEHICLES ARE VERY BAD DESIGNED AND ARE NOT BUILT TO LAST. THEY HAVE REPLACED A BUNCH OF THESE TRANSMISSIONS. PROBLEM : STARTING OUT ON TAKE OFF. THE TRANSMISSION WILL HESITATE AND JERK THE CAR. POTENTIALLY PUTTING YOU AND OTHERS IN A BAD SITUATION IF THERE ARE OTHER VEHICLES. AND ONCE YOU ARE GOING IT WILL DO THE SAME THING. TO ME ITS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT GM SHOUPD ADDRESS AND FIX.

NHTSA ODI #11114717

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