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2002 Saturn Vue

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Saturn Vue do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 276.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

132 reports with mileage · 35 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports5 fire reports6 injury reports

Power Train complaints

24 reports
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110,000 miles · Mar 5, 2015
EnginePower Train

THE TIMING CHAIN RUINED THE ENTIRE ENGINE AS A RESULT OF THE CHAIN TENSIONER FAILING FROM LACK OF OIL BEING APPLIED. APPARENTLY AS SOON AS I HEARD THE CLANGING SOUNDS IT WAS TOO LATE. I AM BUYING A WHOLE NEW ENGINE WHICH HAS REPLACED THE OILING MECHANISM THAT WAS FAULTY IN THE 2002-2003 MODELS OF THE SATURN VUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10692389

113,000 miles · Jun 23, 2013
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. SHOCKS, STRUTS, REAR SUSPENSION, BRAKES, ELECTRICAL, OIL HAS BEEN EITHER LEAKING OR BURNING TO THE EXISTENT I PUT SOME IN EVERYOTHER DAY BECAUSE IT IS LOW, THE SWAY BAR AND THE STEERING COLUMN, THE TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE TRAIN, AND THE TIMING CHAIN. THERE ARE MANY OTHER UNSAFE ISSU…

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I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. SHOCKS, STRUTS, REAR SUSPENSION, BRAKES, ELECTRICAL, OIL HAS BEEN EITHER LEAKING OR BURNING TO THE EXISTENT I PUT SOME IN EVERYOTHER DAY BECAUSE IT IS LOW, THE SWAY BAR AND THE STEERING COLUMN, THE TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE TRAIN, AND THE TIMING CHAIN. THERE ARE MANY OTHER UNSAFE ISSUES I HAVE HAD AND I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION FROM DAY ONE BECAUSE I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER, BUT HE REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME. IT FINALLY BROKE DOWN ON ME AND NOW I AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521260

12,000 miles · Sep 10, 2012
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

WHEN OPERATING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN AND STEERING BRAKING AND ALL CONTROL IS LOST' THIS CONSTANTLY HAPPENS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10474562

111,955 miles · Jun 7, 2012
Power Train

I WAS REFERRED TO COTTMAN TRANSMISSIONS,WHEN I LEARNED ABOUT MY PARTICULAR MAKE,MODEL,&YEAR VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL ON 2002 TO 2005 VUE AND 2003 TO 2004 IONS VTI TRANSMISSIONS WERE DEFECTED,I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICES TO INFORM ME OF THIS PROBLEM. I AM A STAY AT HOME MOTHER,TWO KIDS WITH AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND NOW…

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I WAS REFERRED TO COTTMAN TRANSMISSIONS,WHEN I LEARNED ABOUT MY PARTICULAR MAKE,MODEL,&YEAR VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL ON 2002 TO 2005 VUE AND 2003 TO 2004 IONS VTI TRANSMISSIONS WERE DEFECTED,I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICES TO INFORM ME OF THIS PROBLEM. I AM A STAY AT HOME MOTHER,TWO KIDS WITH AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES AND NOW NO CAR,CAUSE MY TRANSMISSION IS RUINED AND EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO WORK ON.THOUGH GM FILED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT/SETTLEMENT FOR THE SATURN OWNERS,ALL I WANT /NEED IS MY VEHICLE BACK,MY HUSBAND HAS HIS AND HOURS AT WORK IS LATE IN THE EVENING WHEN IMPORTANT PLACES LIKE DMV,POST OFFICES,AND MY KIDS DOCTORS OFFFICES.I HAD MY SATURN FOR 6 YEARS AND NEVER ONCE DID I HAVE A PROBLEM THIS SERIOUS,TO WHERE I HAVE TO SELL IT OR JUNK IT,CAUSE OF THE EXPENSE OF GETTING IT REBUILT,OR IF I WOULD BE LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND A MECHANIC TO DO THE JOB.I AM SO FURIOUS WITH GM AND SATURN,THEY DIDN'T CONTACT ME,I DON'T WANT MUCH,JUST TO HAVE MY VEHICLE AND MY FREEDOM TO DRIVE.I DON'T WANT THEM TO REPLACE IT JUST GIVE ME WHAT IT'S WORTH,SO I CAN PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10460914

76,000 miles · Nov 5, 2010
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM NIGHT CLASSES ONE NIGHT AND MY CAR WOULD START TO SHAKE AT THE STOP LIGHT (WHILE IDLING) WHEN I PROCEEDED TO GO THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR AND WOULD PUTT THROUGH THE INTERSECTIONS. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME I GOT STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS GOT WORSE AS I DROVE AND I…

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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM NIGHT CLASSES ONE NIGHT AND MY CAR WOULD START TO SHAKE AT THE STOP LIGHT (WHILE IDLING) WHEN I PROCEEDED TO GO THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR AND WOULD PUTT THROUGH THE INTERSECTIONS. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME I GOT STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS GOT WORSE AS I DROVE AND I PRAYED ALL THE WAY HOME THAT I WOULD NOT ENCOUNTER ANOTHER RED LIGHT. WHEN I GOT HOME I REMEMBERED THAT SATURN HAD SENT ME A LETTER STATING THAT " THIS LETTER IS INTENDED TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT SOME 2002 MODEL YEAR SATURN VUE VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH A VTI, MAY EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE NOISE OR REDUCED PERFORMANCE." SO THEY ARE AWARE THAT THEIR TRANSMISSIONS ARE FAULTY. IF YOU GOOGLE "2002 SATURN VUE TRANSMISSIONS" YOU WILL FIND A MULTITUDE OF OTHER CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. IF THIS HAD OF HAPPENED A DAY EARLIER MY CHILDREN AND I COULD HAVE BEEN IMPACTED AND DIED DUE TO THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION. I STILL OWE 7000.00 ON THIS CAR AND IT WILL COST ALMOST THAT MUCH TO REPLACE. IF SATURN OR GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THEY SHOULD BE WILLING TO FIX IT, UNFORTUNATELY THEY ARE NOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10364221

25,000 miles · Oct 4, 2010
Electrical SystemPower Train

PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2002 SATURN VUE 6 CYLINDERS 3.0 ENGINE. HAD TO REPLACED EVERY ELECTRONIC COMPONENT IN THIS VEHICLE. COMPUTER, ACCELERATOR SENSOR, TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THE "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHTS IS CONSTANTLY ON. THEREFORE, I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER. THEY TELL ME I NEED A NEW THROTTLE BODY A…

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PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2002 SATURN VUE 6 CYLINDERS 3.0 ENGINE. HAD TO REPLACED EVERY ELECTRONIC COMPONENT IN THIS VEHICLE. COMPUTER, ACCELERATOR SENSOR, TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THE "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHTS IS CONSTANTLY ON. THEREFORE, I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER. THEY TELL ME I NEED A NEW THROTTLE BODY AND A BRAND NEW HARNESS SINCE THE NEW THROTTLE BODY WILL NOT WORK WITH THE EXISTING WIRES. THEY WANT $3,000.00 FOR THIS. WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD I MADE THE DEALERSHIP AWARE OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THEY REPLY THAT THIS SUV WAS OPERATING NORMAL. I REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. NOW THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE IS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER WANTS $860 FOR THE PART PLUS PROGRAMMING CHARGES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10359068

108,000 miles · May 19, 2010
Power TrainCrash

CAR ROLLED DOWN DRIVE WAY WITH KIDS IN IT. MY FINDINGS WERE THAT IN MY 2002 SATURN VUE WAS IN THE ACC POSITION ON THE KEY THE TRANSMISSION SAFETY THAT REQUIRES YOU TO PUSH THE BRAKE IN ORDER TO SHIFT IS UNLOCKED. I FEEL THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE VERY DANGEROUS LUCKY NO INJURIES TO MY KIDS JUST THE CAR. AS FAR AS I KNOW THERE…

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CAR ROLLED DOWN DRIVE WAY WITH KIDS IN IT. MY FINDINGS WERE THAT IN MY 2002 SATURN VUE WAS IN THE ACC POSITION ON THE KEY THE TRANSMISSION SAFETY THAT REQUIRES YOU TO PUSH THE BRAKE IN ORDER TO SHIFT IS UNLOCKED. I FEEL THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE VERY DANGEROUS LUCKY NO INJURIES TO MY KIDS JUST THE CAR. AS FAR AS I KNOW THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL AND NO REPAIR I COULD DO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10331115

108,500 miles · May 8, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train

I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2002 SATURN VUE AWD WITH THE GM VTI TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE. TWO DAYS AGO I EXPERIENCED MY TRANSMISSION/ENGINE FAILING FOR THE FIFTH OR SIXTH TIME SINCE 2006. THE VERY FIRST TIME I TOOK MY VUE TO THE DEALERSHIP IN AUSTIN, TX WHERE I HAD TO ARGUE WITH FIRST MY SERVICE REP. FOLLOWED BY HIS MANAGER THAT …

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I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2002 SATURN VUE AWD WITH THE GM VTI TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE. TWO DAYS AGO I EXPERIENCED MY TRANSMISSION/ENGINE FAILING FOR THE FIFTH OR SIXTH TIME SINCE 2006. THE VERY FIRST TIME I TOOK MY VUE TO THE DEALERSHIP IN AUSTIN, TX WHERE I HAD TO ARGUE WITH FIRST MY SERVICE REP. FOLLOWED BY HIS MANAGER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. SINCE THE FAULTY GM DESIGN WAS STILL RELATIVELY NEW, THEY ORIGINALLY BLAMED ME FOR POOR DRIVING, RESULTING A BAD BCM WHICH THEY MADE ME PAY IN SPITE OF MY ARGUMENT THE FAULTY GM DESIGN WAS THE ORIGIN OF THE PROBLEM. FIRST TIME IT COST ME $1500 TO REPAIR MY CAR THAT HAD LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT. THIS HOWEVER WAS QUITE AN ORDEAL SINCE MY VEHICLE ACTUALLY LOST POWER ON THREE OR FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. I WOULD IMMEDIATELY GO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ASSISTANCE WITH WHAT I KNEW WAS THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER BUGGING THEM ALMOST EVERYDAY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THEY FINALLY ADMITTED GMS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION ON THE THIRD VISIT. THE SECOND TRANSMISSION LASTED APPROXIMATELY A YEAR. IN 2007 I HAD RELOCATED WITHIN THE STATE AND WAS EXPERIENCING SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND RELUCTANTLY CALLED MY LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP. HERE WE GO AGAIN ANOTHER $500 FOR ODDS AND ENDS AND THIS TIME IT WAS SUPPOSEDLY THE ECM AND OF COURSE IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM! THE TRANSMISSION WAS FINALLY REPLACED ON MY THIRD TRIP! HOWEVER THEY DID NOT PAY FOR MY LOANER CAR THOUGH I REQUESTED ONE. BRINGS US TO 2009, WHEN THE ABOVE MENTIONED DEALER HAD GONE OUT OF BUSINESS AND I OF COURSE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS! LUCKILY I FOUND A DEALERSHIP NEAR AND HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THEM. THEY CONFIRMED BY THAT AFTERNOON THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD! THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, AND CLOSED FOR BUSINESS WITHIN THREE DAYS. NO LOANER CAR AGAIN. HERE I SIT AGAIN WITH THE TRANSMISSION DANGEROUSLY GOING OUT, AND DREADING THE THOUGHT OF THE SATURN DEALERSHIP FIASCOES. AT WHAT POINT WILL GM TAKE THESE DANGEROUS 2002-2005 CARS OFF THE ROAD? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329399

94,000 miles · Jan 21, 2010
Electrical SystemPower Train

2002 SATURN VUE AWD AND THE TRANSMISSION DIED. WE WERE ON TOP OF A HILL AND LUCKILY WERE ABLE TO FORCE IT UP BEFORE IT COMPLETELY FAILED. THERE WERE NO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AS WE WERE AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN IT APPEAR TO FAIL. WHEN CONTACTING SATURN WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT IT IS NOT A "RECALL" ALTHOUGH IT WAS ADMITTED TO BE A MAN…

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2002 SATURN VUE AWD AND THE TRANSMISSION DIED. WE WERE ON TOP OF A HILL AND LUCKILY WERE ABLE TO FORCE IT UP BEFORE IT COMPLETELY FAILED. THERE WERE NO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AS WE WERE AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN IT APPEAR TO FAIL. WHEN CONTACTING SATURN WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT IT IS NOT A "RECALL" ALTHOUGH IT WAS ADMITTED TO BE A MANUFACTURE ISSUE. DUE TO AN ADDITIONAL MANUFACTURE DEFECT WITH READING THE MILEAGE THEY WILL NOT COVER THE COST TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10301703

118,661 miles · Oct 7, 2009
Power Train

I PURCHASED A 2002 SATURN VUE 4WHEEL DRIVE IN FEBRUARY 28,2009. THIS VUE WENT FROM 55 MILES AN HOUR TO 1MILE ON THE HIGHWAY. I THOUGHT FOR SURE I WAS DEAD. THE "LOW POWER LIGHT COMES ON" AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER, $255.00 DOLLARS LATER THEY THOUGHT IT WOULD NOT DO THIS AGAIN. THEN MONDAY, IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN DOWNTOWN T…

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I PURCHASED A 2002 SATURN VUE 4WHEEL DRIVE IN FEBRUARY 28,2009. THIS VUE WENT FROM 55 MILES AN HOUR TO 1MILE ON THE HIGHWAY. I THOUGHT FOR SURE I WAS DEAD. THE "LOW POWER LIGHT COMES ON" AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER, $255.00 DOLLARS LATER THEY THOUGHT IT WOULD NOT DO THIS AGAIN. THEN MONDAY, IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC. I PULLED OUT AND "NOTHING" IT WONT GO I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WASN'T KILLED. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS. HOLY COW! FOR THE SECOND TIME I WAS ALMOST DEAD. THE MOTOR SOUNDS LIKE IT CAN'T FIGURE WHICH "GEAR" TO GO INTO? I CAN FEEL THE TRANSMISSION TRYING TO GO AND THE MOTOR INCREASES IN SOUND BUT DOESN'T SEEM TO GO INTO GEAR. WHAT THE HECK! CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT NEEDS A :"THROTTLE BODY" REPLACES IT WILL BE AT LEAST $1000.00. HE SAID 800.00 FOR PART 200 TO PUT IT ON. WHAT THE HECK? I ALMOST DIED. THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE. I HAVE LISTENED TO "CAR TALK" AND IT IS KNOW TO THESE FOLKS. WHAT CAN BE DONE? IS IT REALLY 800.00 FOR A REPLACEMENT " THROTTLE BODY? COULD THERE BE AN SIGHT WHERE WE COULD SEE THIS IS CORRECT PRICE? COULD I REPLACE THE PART? OR WILL IT NEED TO BE ON A RACK BECAUSE I CAN NOT GET TO IT. MY FATHER JOHN B PHARR RETIRED FRO GENERAL MOTORS IN GEORGIA AND TAUGHT ME ABOUT CARS. BUT HE PASSED AWAY. I NEED HIS HELP, BUT AS A OVER 30 YEAR EMPLOYEE I HOPE THAT SOMEONE WILL CONSIDER THIS AND HONOR HIS DEDICATION TO GENERAL MOTORS . I AM GRATEFUL BECAUSE THEY PROVIDED US HEALTH INSURANCE GROWING UP. I WILL BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY HELP POSSIBLE OR DISCOUNT. I WILL HAVE PARK IT AND RIDE THE BUS FOR NOW BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN RECOVERING FROM A MEDICAL LEAVE OF 60 DAY FROM MY EMPLOYER HENNEPIN COUNTY IN MINNESOTA. I AM NOW EARNING MY INCOME AGAIN. MY INCOME IS LIMITED DUE TO THE TIME OFF FOR SHORT TERM DISABILITY. I HAVE RETURNED TO WORK BUT AM REPAYING LATE PAYMENTS BECAUSE OF THE MEDICAL LEAVE. I HOPE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HELP IN ANY WAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10286603

Official recalls

2

14V490000 · Electrical System:ignition

Aug 8, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2002-2004 Saturn Vue vehicles manufactured September 11, 2001, to April 6, 2004. In the affected vehicles, it may be possible for the key to be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle to see if the key can be pulled out when the ignition is off. If it can, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and keys, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14506. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.

01V386000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

Dec 18, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." SOME VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH REAR OUTER SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS THAT WERE INCORRECTLY INSTALLED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THESE BOLTS WERE INCORRECTLY INSTALLED, THEY WOULD NOT WITHSTAND THE LOAD REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. IF AN ANCHORAGE FAILED IN A CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND COULD HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 19, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000.

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

2

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).

PE04052 · Rear Suspension Toe Control Link

Opened Jul 22, 2004 · Closed Nov 1, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:rear

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING CERTAIN SEVERE DRIVING MANEUVERS.THE INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY NHTSA-CONDUCTED NCAP DYNAMIC ROLLOVER TEST INCIDENTS INVOLVING MY 2004 SATURN VUE VEHICLES AND ONE CONSUMER COMPLAINT THAT ALLEGED WHEN RECOVERING FROM A ROAD EDGE DEPARTURE, THE LEFT-REAR WHEEL OF A MY 2003 SATURN VUE ?BENT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE,? RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER CRASH.ODI ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE DURING THE NCAP TESTS WAS THE RESULT OF WHEEL RIM-PAVEMENT CONTACT TRANSMITTING SIGNIFICANT COMPRESSIVE FORCES TO THE TOE CONTROL LINK, THUS CAUSING IT TO BUCKLE.THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED DURING A SEVERE TEST USED TO ASSESS ROLL STABILITY.THE FORCES GENERATED DURING THIS TYPE OF WHEEL-RIM PAVEMENT CONTACT ARE MORE THAN SIX TIMES THE GREATEST FORCES MEASURED DURING GM?S MOST SEVERE VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION TESTING.ODI INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF CONSUMER COMPLAINT VEHICLES SHOWED THAT DAMAGE TO THE TOE CONTROL LINK APPEARED TO BE THE RESULT OF VEHICLE CRASHES AND DID NOT PRECIPITATE THE CRASHES.TO DATE, ODI IS AWARE OF NO VEHICLE CRASHES OR ROLLOVER INCIDENTS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ADDITIONALLY, THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO STRENGTHEN THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.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 A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT ATTACHED FOR FURTHER DETAIL.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Suspension

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING CERTAIN SEVERE DRIVING MANEUVERS.THE INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY NHTSA-CONDUCTED NCAP DYNAMIC ROLLOVER TEST INCIDENTS INVOLVING MY 2004 SATURN VUE VEHICLES AND ONE CONSUMER COMPLAINT THAT ALLEGED WHEN RECOVERING FROM A ROAD EDGE DEPARTURE, THE LEFT-REAR WHEEL OF A MY 2003 SATURN VUE ?BENT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE,? RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER CRASH.ODI ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE DURING THE NCAP TESTS WAS THE RESULT OF WHEEL RIM-PAVEMENT CONTACT TRANSMITTING SIGNIFICANT COMPRESSIVE FORCES TO THE TOE CONTROL LINK, THUS CAUSING IT TO BUCKLE.THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED DURING A SEVERE TEST USED TO ASSESS ROLL STABILITY.THE FORCES GENERATED DURING THIS TYPE OF WHEEL-RIM PAVEMENT CONTACT ARE MORE THAN SIX TIMES THE GREATEST FORCES MEASURED DURING GM?S MOST SEVERE VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION TESTING.ODI INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF CONSUMER COMPLAINT VEHICLES SHOWED THAT DAMAGE TO THE TOE CONTROL LINK APPEARED TO BE THE RESULT OF VEHICLE CRASHES AND DID NOT PRECIPITATE THE CRASHES.TO DATE, ODI IS AWARE OF NO VEHICLE CRASHES OR ROLLOVER INCIDENTS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ADDITIONALLY, THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO STRENGTHEN THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.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 A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT ATTACHED FOR FURTHER DETAIL.

Suspension:rear

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING CERTAIN SEVERE DRIVING MANEUVERS.THE INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY NHTSA-CONDUCTED NCAP DYNAMIC ROLLOVER TEST INCIDENTS INVOLVING MY 2004 SATURN VUE VEHICLES AND ONE CONSUMER COMPLAINT THAT ALLEGED WHEN RECOVERING FROM A ROAD EDGE DEPARTURE, THE LEFT-REAR WHEEL OF A MY 2003 SATURN VUE ?BENT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE,? RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER CRASH.ODI ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE DURING THE NCAP TESTS WAS THE RESULT OF WHEEL RIM-PAVEMENT CONTACT TRANSMITTING SIGNIFICANT COMPRESSIVE FORCES TO THE TOE CONTROL LINK, THUS CAUSING IT TO BUCKLE.THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED DURING A SEVERE TEST USED TO ASSESS ROLL STABILITY.THE FORCES GENERATED DURING THIS TYPE OF WHEEL-RIM PAVEMENT CONTACT ARE MORE THAN SIX TIMES THE GREATEST FORCES MEASURED DURING GM?S MOST SEVERE VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION TESTING.ODI INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF CONSUMER COMPLAINT VEHICLES SHOWED THAT DAMAGE TO THE TOE CONTROL LINK APPEARED TO BE THE RESULT OF VEHICLE CRASHES AND DID NOT PRECIPITATE THE CRASHES.TO DATE, ODI IS AWARE OF NO VEHICLE CRASHES OR ROLLOVER INCIDENTS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ADDITIONALLY, THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO STRENGTHEN THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.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 A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT ATTACHED FOR FURTHER DETAIL.