NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
316 reportsClear category filter16,000 miles · Aug 3, 2009
Power Train
I PURCHASED THIS 2003 VUE USED FROM MY SATURN DEALER WITH 15,000 MILES ON IT. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE, I NOTICED A GROWLING SORT OF NOISE WHEN I SLOWED DOWN AND WHEN TURNING. I BROUGHT THIS INTO THE DEALER ON A FEW OCCASIONS AND WAS TOLD "THEY COULDN'T HEAR THE NOISE". SINCE THEN (IN THE PAST YEAR) ON OCCASION THE CAR WON'T GO…
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I PURCHASED THIS 2003 VUE USED FROM MY SATURN DEALER WITH 15,000 MILES ON IT. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE, I NOTICED A GROWLING SORT OF NOISE WHEN I SLOWED DOWN AND WHEN TURNING. I BROUGHT THIS INTO THE DEALER ON A FEW OCCASIONS AND WAS TOLD "THEY COULDN'T HEAR THE NOISE". SINCE THEN (IN THE PAST YEAR) ON OCCASION THE CAR WON'T GO INTO GEAR; I STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL AND IT DOESN'T MOVE. I STOP THE CAR, PUT THE CAR IN PARK; THEN PUT THE CAR BACK IN DRIVE AND IT WORKS. THE SAME INITIAL NOISE IS STILL PRESENT AND RECENTLY I WAS TOLD BY THIS SAME SATURN DEALER THAT IT IS A TRANSMISSION NOISE THAT "MAY HAVE BEEN HELPED WITH LOWER MILEAGE" BY INSTALLATION OF AN UPGRADED SOFTWARE BUT MOST LIKELY WILL NOT HELP MUCH NOW (I HAVE 113,000 MILES ON MY CAR AT THIS TIME). I FEEL IF THIS TRANSMISSION WAS DEEMED DEFECTIVE THAT IT SHOULD BE REPLACED BY GM AT THEIR EXPENSE. I STILL HAVE TWO MORE YEARS TO PAY FOR THIS CAR AND WITH REDUCED VALUE I AM UPSIDE DOWN ON THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP AND ADVISE ~ THANK YOU! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10279272
104,000 miles · Jul 29, 2009
Electrical SystemPower Train
MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AS WELL AS IGNITION PROBLEMS. RECENTLY HAVE SMOKE COMING OUT OF MY STEERING WHEEL WHEN CAR IS STARTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10278697
84,000 miles · Jul 28, 2009
Power Train
I BOUGHT A USED 2003 SATURN VUE TWO MONTHS AGO, AND SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. THE MAJOR PROBLEM WITH IT KNOW IS THE TRANSMISSION (AUTOMATIC VTI). WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY TWO DAYS AGO, THE CAR WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL AT 65 MPH, WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN, THE RPMS RED LINED AT 7000. AFTER THAT I DISENGAGED THE CRU…
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I BOUGHT A USED 2003 SATURN VUE TWO MONTHS AGO, AND SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. THE MAJOR PROBLEM WITH IT KNOW IS THE TRANSMISSION (AUTOMATIC VTI). WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY TWO DAYS AGO, THE CAR WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL AT 65 MPH, WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN, THE RPMS RED LINED AT 7000. AFTER THAT I DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE CAR ONTO THE SHOULDER, BUT IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. ALSO WHEN STOPPING THE CAR, THE ENGINE STARTS TO RUMBLE AND SHAKE, THEN WHEN ACCELERATING AGAIN THE ENGINE REVS UP BUT NO MOVEMENT. AFTER ABOUT FIVE TO TEN SECONDS THE CAR CATCHES GEAR AND IT FEELS LIKE I'VE BEEN IN A REAR END COLLISION WHEN IT DOES. THREE DAYS AGO THE CAR DID THIS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN (IT STOPPED AND JUST REVVED THE ENGINE), I WAS ALMOST HIT BY AN ONCOMING CAR BUT THEY MANAGED TO SWERVE OUT OF THE WAY TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE VUE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AND I AM UNABLE TO AFFORD A NEW TRANSMISSION SO I AM STUCK WITH A DEAD VEHICLE WHICH I JUST PURCHASED TWO MONTHS AGO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10278508
62,000 miles · Jul 23, 2009
Power Train
MY 2003 SATURN VUE HAD THE TRANSMISSION DIE COMPLETELY AT 62,000 MILES AND 6 YEARS OLD. WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF A VACATION AND IT DIES 2 MINUTES BEFORE WE ENTERED THE INTERSTATE IN SEATTLE, WA. THERE WAS NO WARNING, OTHER THAN SATURN TELLING US 5 YEARS AGO THAT THE TRANSMISSION MAY LOSE POWER ON OCCASION BUT IT IS NOT A SAFET…
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MY 2003 SATURN VUE HAD THE TRANSMISSION DIE COMPLETELY AT 62,000 MILES AND 6 YEARS OLD. WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF A VACATION AND IT DIES 2 MINUTES BEFORE WE ENTERED THE INTERSTATE IN SEATTLE, WA. THERE WAS NO WARNING, OTHER THAN SATURN TELLING US 5 YEARS AGO THAT THE TRANSMISSION MAY LOSE POWER ON OCCASION BUT IT IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10278096
10,000 miles · Jul 17, 2009
Power Train
I PURCHASED MY NEW 2003 SATURN VUE FROM YORK PA SATURN (SUTLIFF GROUP) AND THEY HAVE PATCHED UP MY 2003 VUE BY REPLACING VALVES, SENSORS ETC. ON THE VTI TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLES 5 OR 6 DIFFERENT TIMES, WHICH THEY WELL KNOW WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I STILL EXPERIENCE TRANSMISSION FAILURE DURING EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING OR TIME…
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I PURCHASED MY NEW 2003 SATURN VUE FROM YORK PA SATURN (SUTLIFF GROUP) AND THEY HAVE PATCHED UP MY 2003 VUE BY REPLACING VALVES, SENSORS ETC. ON THE VTI TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLES 5 OR 6 DIFFERENT TIMES, WHICH THEY WELL KNOW WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I STILL EXPERIENCE TRANSMISSION FAILURE DURING EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING OR TIMES OF TRAFFIC STOP SITUATIONS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FROM THE 10,000 MILE POINT ON UNTIL THIS TIME. DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY INTO HIGHER GEAR , STILL MAKES GRINDING NOISES WHILE TURNING AND ACCELERATING AND OTHERWISE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY. TRANSMISSION WAS LOOKED AT BY DEALER 5 TIMES AVOIDING THE ISSUE OF TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS HAVE INVOKED ME TO START A MAJOR CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE SATURN CORP. ! ALL I ASK IS FOR SATURN TO REPLACE MY FAULTY DRIVE TRAIN (ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION) FREE OF ALL LABOR AND PARTS WITH THE NEW TYPE DRIVE TRAIN THAT IS IN THE NEW 2008-09 VUE OR REPLACE WITH A NEW VEHICLE!!! ITS THAT SIMPLE SATURN! AND UNTIL THIS HAPPENS THIS TRANSMITTAL WILL CONTINUE ON TO WEBSITES, PUBLIC POSTS, FLYERS, IN FRONT OF SATURN DEALERS ETC. ETC... PS. I HAVE POSTED THIS WARNING ON EVERY NEW CAR BUYERS SITE JUST TO WARN PROSPECTIVE BUYERS OF THE FAILED RESPONSIBILITY OF SATURN AND GM. ALSO I HAVE COPIED JUST ABOUT EVERY PERSON AND BUSINESS THAT HAS EXPOSURE TO INTERSECTIONS SHOPPING MALLS ETC. SO TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS, WORKING COLLEAGUES, ETC. GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT SATURN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10277084
82,067 miles · Jun 22, 2009
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE POWERTRAIN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE POWERTRAIN FUSE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THERE WERE NO AUTHORIZED DEALERS IN THE AREA FOR A SECOND OPINION. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 82,067.
NHTSA ODI #10274598
102,000 miles · Jun 15, 2009
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE STILL MANAGED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE STILL MANAGED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT IT BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY INOPERABLE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 102,000.
NHTSA ODI #10273814
80,000 miles · Jun 7, 2009
Power Train
I HAD DRIVEN MY 2003 SATURN VUE TO WORK THE PREVIOUS NIGHT WITH NO PROBLEMS. UPON DRIVING IT THE NEXT MORNING, IN BUSY TRAFFIC, IT WOULD NOT TRANSFER OUT OF FIRST GEAR EASILY. I PRACTICALLY HAD TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO EVEN GET IT UP TO 30 MPH. I HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED BUT HAVE HAD QUOTES I…
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I HAD DRIVEN MY 2003 SATURN VUE TO WORK THE PREVIOUS NIGHT WITH NO PROBLEMS. UPON DRIVING IT THE NEXT MORNING, IN BUSY TRAFFIC, IT WOULD NOT TRANSFER OUT OF FIRST GEAR EASILY. I PRACTICALLY HAD TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO EVEN GET IT UP TO 30 MPH. I HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED BUT HAVE HAD QUOTES IF IT IS THE TRANSMISSION AND IT IS TOTALLY RIDICULOUS THAT WE AS CONSUMERS HAVE TO PAY MORE FOR SOMEONE'S BAD JUDGMENT ON TRANSMISSIONS. I HAVE READ MANY FORUMS WHERE THE COMPLAINTS ARE NUMEROUS ON THE SATURN TRANSMISSIONS AND NOW AS CONSUMERS WE ARE UP THE CREEK WITHOUT A PADDLE NOW THAT GM HAS FILED BANKRUPTCY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD OF BEEN ADDRESSED BEFORE BANKRUPTCY BEFORE NOT ONLY ARE THE CONSUMER'S WALLETS EMPTY BUT THE RISK INCREASES FOR OUR SAFETY AS WELL AS OTHERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10273031
89,405 miles · May 28, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I HAVE A 2003 SATURN VUE AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT ON MAY 5 WENT TO THE SHOP TO BE REPAIRED ON MAY 20 GOT VEHICLE BACK ON THE 23 AND ON MAY 25 THE TRANSMISSION WENT AGAIN TOOK IT BACK TO SATURN OF ALBANY N.Y. AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER PICKED IT UP ON MAY 27 GOT ABOUT 5 MILES AWAY FROM SATURN TRIED TO CROSS …
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I HAVE A 2003 SATURN VUE AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT ON MAY 5 WENT TO THE SHOP TO BE REPAIRED ON MAY 20 GOT VEHICLE BACK ON THE 23 AND ON MAY 25 THE TRANSMISSION WENT AGAIN TOOK IT BACK TO SATURN OF ALBANY N.Y. AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER PICKED IT UP ON MAY 27 GOT ABOUT 5 MILES AWAY FROM SATURN TRIED TO CROSS A 4 LANE INTERSECTION AND VEHICLE WOULD BARELY MOVE DUE TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AGAIN IT IS A GOOD THING THERE WAS VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10270166
55,000 miles · May 26, 2009
Power Train
FAILURE OF THE VTI TRANSMISSION ON THE 2002 - 2005 SATURN VUE. I WAS NOTIFIED BY A FELLOW VUE OWNER THAT THEY ARE HAVING SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH MY TRANSMISSION SINCE PURCHASE AND HAVE DOCUMENTATION THAT I AGAIN BROUGHT IT TO MY DEALERS ATTENTION AT 55,000 MILES. UPON RESEARCH I…
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FAILURE OF THE VTI TRANSMISSION ON THE 2002 - 2005 SATURN VUE. I WAS NOTIFIED BY A FELLOW VUE OWNER THAT THEY ARE HAVING SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH MY TRANSMISSION SINCE PURCHASE AND HAVE DOCUMENTATION THAT I AGAIN BROUGHT IT TO MY DEALERS ATTENTION AT 55,000 MILES. UPON RESEARCH I FIND THAT THE NOISE MY CAR IS NOW MAKING IS PROBABLY NOT THE WHEEL BEARINGS BUT THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10269977
NHTSA investigations
2PE06006 · 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.
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