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2003 Saturn Vue

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Vue years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Saturn Vue are substantially higher than the model-year median of 276.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

482 reports with mileage · 140 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 316 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 124 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

29 crash reports9 fire reports20 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

62 reports
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90,000 miles · Nov 17, 2015
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AREA. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT OIL LEAKED FROM THE ENGINE VALVE COVER ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AREA. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT OIL LEAKED FROM THE ENGINE VALVE COVER ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VAVLE COVER GASGET WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 02/16/16*JB

NHTSA ODI #10794432

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling

THIS VEHICLE WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD THE ENGINE JUST CUTS OFF, DOESN'T MATTER THE SPEED YOU ARE TRAVELING. IT WILL START BACK UP AUTOMATICALLY BUT YOU LOOSE SPEED .. IT EVEN CUTS OFF WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM STOPLIGHTS AND INTO TRAFFIC, THEN YOU HAVE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE ENGINE. NO MECHANIC CAN FIGURE IT OUT. *…

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THIS VEHICLE WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD THE ENGINE JUST CUTS OFF, DOESN'T MATTER THE SPEED YOU ARE TRAVELING. IT WILL START BACK UP AUTOMATICALLY BUT YOU LOOSE SPEED .. IT EVEN CUTS OFF WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM STOPLIGHTS AND INTO TRAFFIC, THEN YOU HAVE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE ENGINE. NO MECHANIC CAN FIGURE IT OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621935

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling

I JUST PURCHASED MY 2003 SATURN VUE A MONTH AGO AND A DAY AFTER I GOT IT THE VEHICLE STARTED SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING!! SOMETIMES IT CRANKS RIGHT BACK UP AND THEN OTHER TIMES I HAVE TO JUST LET IT SLOWLY ROLL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SO THAT I CAN CRANK IT BACK UP! I HAVE MY TWO CHILDREN THAT RIDE IN MY CAR WITH ME AND IF THIS …

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I JUST PURCHASED MY 2003 SATURN VUE A MONTH AGO AND A DAY AFTER I GOT IT THE VEHICLE STARTED SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING!! SOMETIMES IT CRANKS RIGHT BACK UP AND THEN OTHER TIMES I HAVE TO JUST LET IT SLOWLY ROLL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SO THAT I CAN CRANK IT BACK UP! I HAVE MY TWO CHILDREN THAT RIDE IN MY CAR WITH ME AND IF THIS DOESN'T GET FIXED IT WILL PROBABLY END UP KILLING ALL THREE OF US! OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE SO SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10610926

139,000 miles · Feb 17, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2003 SATURN VUE STALLS AND DIES EVERYDAY THAT I DRIVE IT. HAS ALMOST CAUSED MYSELF AND YOUNG CHILDREN TO GET INTO MANY WRECKS FROM THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING OFTEN AT STOP LIGHTS AND MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS AND HILLS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS MANY TIMES HAS FAIRLY NEW TRANS. AND NEW TIMING BELT ALSO PUT ON BEFORE I PURCHASED THE SA…

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MY 2003 SATURN VUE STALLS AND DIES EVERYDAY THAT I DRIVE IT. HAS ALMOST CAUSED MYSELF AND YOUNG CHILDREN TO GET INTO MANY WRECKS FROM THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING OFTEN AT STOP LIGHTS AND MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS AND HILLS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS MANY TIMES HAS FAIRLY NEW TRANS. AND NEW TIMING BELT ALSO PUT ON BEFORE I PURCHASED THE SATURN. TO ME THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS AND HAS FEW OTHER PROBLEMS ALSO, LIKE IDLING HIGH WHEN IN PARK. WHEN THE STALLING OCCURS IT STALLS AN THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AND FLASHES 3 TIMES BEFORE IT EITHER DIES OR CONTINUES BACK TO NORMAL BEFORE IT STALLS AGAIN. I CANNOT DRIVE IT TO MY NEXT TOWN OVER WITHOUT IT DOING THIS NUMEROUS TIMES. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS VEHICLE TO ANYONE AND THAT'S ONE REASON WHY IM AFRAID TO SELL IT BECAUSE I WOULD HATE TO PUT SOMEONE ELSE IN THIS DANGEROUS CAR AND THEM NOT KNOW HOW TO CONTROL IT IF THIS HAPPENS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564626

166,000 miles · May 8, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingCrash

I WAS REAR ENDED ON MARCH 19TH IN SPRINGDALE ARKANSAS. I WAS PARKED AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN A CAR REAR ENDED ME. THE DRIVER DID NOT HAVE INSURANCE AND HIS NAME WAS [XXX] ADDRESS ON THE ACCIDENT REPORT WAS[XXX]. THE VEHICLE WAS A MITSUBISHI MIRAGE LICENSE PLATE 551 RKZ AND DRIVERS LICENSE NUMBER [XXX]. THE OFFICERS NAME WAS [XXX].…

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I WAS REAR ENDED ON MARCH 19TH IN SPRINGDALE ARKANSAS. I WAS PARKED AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN A CAR REAR ENDED ME. THE DRIVER DID NOT HAVE INSURANCE AND HIS NAME WAS [XXX] ADDRESS ON THE ACCIDENT REPORT WAS[XXX]. THE VEHICLE WAS A MITSUBISHI MIRAGE LICENSE PLATE 551 RKZ AND DRIVERS LICENSE NUMBER [XXX]. THE OFFICERS NAME WAS [XXX]. I RECEIVED THE LETTER FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY PROGRESSIVE STATING THAT HE DID NOT HAVE INSURANCE. THE FOLLOWING DAY AFTER THE ACCIDENT ON THE WAY HOME MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT AND SEVERAL OTHER LIGHTS FLASHED. THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND BLACK SMOKE CAME POURING OUT AND EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN. I HAVE SINCE NOTICED THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS SAME THING BUT WAS TOLD IT IS NOT FOR MY SPECIFIC VIN NUMBER. I AM ARGUING WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY BECAUSE THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR THE ENGINE PART WHICH THEY SAID WAS NOT DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. I THINK THE IMPACT FROM THE WRECK KNOCKED THE OIL FILLER CAP OFF BECAUSE WHEN THE GEICO ADJUSTERS HAD THE CAR THEY COULD NOT FIND IT. I FOUND THE OIL FILLER CAP DOWN IN THE FRONT BETWEEN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE AND FRONT OF THE CAR. OIL WAS ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND SEIZED FROM WHAT THE GEICO ADJUSTERS SAID. I AM PLACING A COMPLAINT WITH THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER ON GEICO FOR NOT PICKING ME UP FOR ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE, TAKING TO LONG TO REPAIR THE BUMPER, NOT KNOWING WHAT THEY ARE DOING TAKING SO LONG TO BE ABLE TO REPAIR THE CAR. THEY TRIED CHARGING ME A $500 DEDUCTIBLE WHEN I HAD UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED MOTORISTS AND SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES WITH THEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457789

160,002 miles · Apr 27, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

TIMING CHAIN BROKE ON THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456689

86,000 miles · Feb 20, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN AUGUST 2010 WITH 85000 MILES ON IT, ONE WEEK AFTER BUYING THE VEHICLE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WENT OUT. AROUND SIX MONTHS LATER THE COIL PACK WENT OUT, TWO MONTHS AFTER THAT THE FRONT BEARINGS WENT OUT. AT ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS THE TUMBLER IN THE IGNITION WENT OUT. AT ABOUT NINE MONTHS THE THERMOSTAT WENT…

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PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN AUGUST 2010 WITH 85000 MILES ON IT, ONE WEEK AFTER BUYING THE VEHICLE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WENT OUT. AROUND SIX MONTHS LATER THE COIL PACK WENT OUT, TWO MONTHS AFTER THAT THE FRONT BEARINGS WENT OUT. AT ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS THE TUMBLER IN THE IGNITION WENT OUT. AT ABOUT NINE MONTHS THE THERMOSTAT WENT OUT. WE NOW ARE BEING TOLD THAT THE RACK AND PINION AND TRANSMISSION ARE BAD AT 116000 MILES AND LESS THAN 18 MONTHS SINCE OUR PURCHASE DATE. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES HAVING THESE SORT OF ISSUES. I ALSO HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE MAKER OF THE VEHICLE IN WHICH WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF. I FEEL THAT THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND IT SEEMS QUITE RARE THAT ONE WOULD HAVE SO MANY ISSUES WITH A VEHICLE IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10448562

136,000 miles · Feb 13, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 136,000.

NHTSA ODI #10447833

98,000 miles · Dec 28, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VIEW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE OIL HOUSING WAS CRACKED. THE ENGINE OIL HOUSING FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL AND CORROSION. THE LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE ENGINE OIL HOUSING UNIT. …

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TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VIEW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE OIL HOUSING WAS CRACKED. THE ENGINE OIL HOUSING FAILED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL AND CORROSION. THE LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE ENGINE OIL HOUSING UNIT. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. KMJ

NHTSA ODI #10441485

40,000 miles · Oct 18, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE FAILURES WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO ACCELERATE ACCOMPANIED WITH A LOUD, HUMMING NOISE. THE HORN SENSOR WAS MELTED, CAUSING THE HORN TO MALFUNCTION AND SOUND CONTINUOUSLY. THE FUEL TANK WAS ALSO FRACTURED, CAUSING A FUEL LEAK …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE FAILURES WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO ACCELERATE ACCOMPANIED WITH A LOUD, HUMMING NOISE. THE HORN SENSOR WAS MELTED, CAUSING THE HORN TO MALFUNCTION AND SOUND CONTINUOUSLY. THE FUEL TANK WAS ALSO FRACTURED, CAUSING A FUEL LEAK AND FUMES TO FILL THE VEHICLE CABIN. THE MUFFLER WAS ABNORMALLY LOUD AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST FREQUENTLY WHEN ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN. IN ADDITION, THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. THE HAZARD LIGHT ACTIVATION BUTTON ALSO FRACTURED THEREFORE; THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UTILIZE THE HAZARD LIGHTS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO ALL OF THE FAILURES EXPERIENCED IN THE VEHICLE BUT NEITHER PROVIDED ANY ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA ODI #10430665

Official recalls

1

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.

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.