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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

167 reports
103,000 miles · Sep 17, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A NEARBY VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. UPDATED 12/15/10. *LJ THE CAUSE FOR THE SUDDEN AC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A NEARBY VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. UPDATED 12/15/10. *LJ THE CAUSE FOR THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 12/27/10

NHTSA ODI #10356103

127,000 miles · Sep 8, 2010
Suspension

SUSPENSION "STABILIZER BAR" BROKE, RIGHT SIDE, AT THE RUBBER MOUNTING WHERE THE BAR IS BOLTED TO THE SUB-FRAME. BROKEN END OF THE STABILIZER BAR THEN RIPPED THRU THE RIGHT CV AXEL BOOT, DESTROYING THE CV JOINT. THE BREAK WAS UNDER THE RUBBER MOUNTING AND THE BAR WAS RUSTED THRU, CAUSING THE BREAK. UNDER 30 MPH, NO ACCIDENT, N…

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SUSPENSION "STABILIZER BAR" BROKE, RIGHT SIDE, AT THE RUBBER MOUNTING WHERE THE BAR IS BOLTED TO THE SUB-FRAME. BROKEN END OF THE STABILIZER BAR THEN RIPPED THRU THE RIGHT CV AXEL BOOT, DESTROYING THE CV JOINT. THE BREAK WAS UNDER THE RUBBER MOUNTING AND THE BAR WAS RUSTED THRU, CAUSING THE BREAK. UNDER 30 MPH, NO ACCIDENT, NO PERSONAL INJURY AND NO OTHER DAMAGE NEW PARTS UNAVAILABLE, SO PURCHASED A REBUILT AXEL AND A USED STABILIZER BAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354589

100,000 miles · Jul 13, 2010
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY FOR A ROUTINE REPAIR WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME EXHIBITED SEVERE CORROSION AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY FOR A ROUTINE REPAIR WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME EXHIBITED SEVERE CORROSION AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10343022

95,000 miles · Jun 21, 2010
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE GAUGES ON THE DASHBOARD FAILED AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING BELL SOUNDED IN THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL THEN BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST FAILED AND THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WOULD…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE GAUGES ON THE DASHBOARD FAILED AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING BELL SOUNDED IN THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL THEN BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST FAILED AND THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 98,000. UPDATED 08/03/10. *LJ UDDATED 08/04/10*JB

NHTSA ODI #10339342

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

68,163 miles · May 10, 2010
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT RUN HOT AND INSTEAD, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND WO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT RUN HOT AND INSTEAD, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,163.

NHTSA ODI #10329708

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

80,000 miles · Mar 12, 2010
Air Bags

AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE NOT WORKING AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IN OPERABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10319273

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.