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

Power Train complaints

316 reports

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105,000 miles · May 13, 2009

Power Train

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I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF A 2003 SATURN VUE. I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN JUNE OF 2008 BECAUSE I KNEW SATURN HAD A GOOD REPUTATION AND MADE VERY RELIABLE AND SAFE CARS. ON MAY 10, 2009 MY HUSBAND, MYSELF, AND OUR 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WERE LEAVING A GAS STATION PARKING LOT. MY HUSBAND PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND PULLED OUT INTO THE ROAD TO BEGIN OUR TRIP HOME. AS HE PULLED OUT INTO THE ROAD AND PRESSED THE GAS THE CAR'S RPMS REVVED UP BUT THE CAR DID NOT MOVE. WE CHECKED TO SEE IF ONE OF US HAD ACCIDENTALLY HIT IT INTO NEUTRAL, BUT IT WAS IN FACT IN DRIVE. WE HAD ENOUGH FORCE TO COAST BACK INTO ANOTHER ENTRANCE OF THE GAS STATION PARKING LOT AND GET OUT OF THE ROAD BEFORE BEING HIT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL (NOT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE). WE HAD IT TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THEY SENT IT TO A LOCAL SATURN DEALER. THE SATURN DEALER CONTACTED US AND SAID INDEED THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. SATURN GAVE US A QUOTE FOR REPAIRS WHICH WE CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY. WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD ALSO GET A DISCOUNT AS THIS VTI TRANSMISSION WAS NOW THE CAUSE OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. EVEN IF WE COULD AFFORD IT, THE FAULTY VTI TRANSMISSION CAN ONLY BE REPLACED WITH ANOTHER FAULTY VTI TRANSMISSION WHICH COULD GO OUT AT ANY TIME WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. FORTUNATELY WHEN OUR TRANSMISSION DID GO OUT WE WERE SAFE. HOWEVER WE HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND ARE EXPECTING OUR SECOND CHILD IN A FEW WEEKS AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY UNSAFE FOR US TO PUT OURSELVES, AND ESPECIALLY NOT OUR CHILDREN, IN SUCH A SITUATION. IT IS A TRAGEDY WAITING TO HAPPEN. WE HAVE CONTACTED LOCAL SATURN REPS, DISTRICT REPS, AND SATURN ASSISTANCE. ALL ARE UNWILLING TO HELP IN ANY WAY. THE LOCAL SATURN REPRESENTATIVE TOLD US HE WOULD NOT BUY THE CAR HIMSELF AND THAT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT EVEN WANT TO PURCHASE IT FROM US IF WE FIXED IT. THEY KNOW IT IS UNSAFE AND STILL THEY WILL NOT HELP. WE ARE LEFT WITH A PARKED CAR IN OUR YARD THAT WE STILL OWE $5000 ON. WE DO NOT FEEL IT IS SAFE ENOUGH PUT OUR CHILDREN IN OR ANYONE ELSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10268628

75,000 miles · May 7, 2009

Power Train

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT BOUGHT THE VEHICLE WITH 55,000 MILES. AT 75,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN IN RIGHT GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SATURN DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW ONE, WHICH INCLUDED A 18,000 MILE/ONE YEAR WARRANTY. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED UPHILL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT AFTER A FEW MINUTES, SHE RELEASED THE PEDAL AND ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE BACK INTO A DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE AUTO BODY SHOP. THE MECHANIC SEARCHED FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WILL INSTALL A NEW TRANSMISSION AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE WITH THE SAME WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE AUTO BODY SHOP BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

NHTSA ODI #10268151

89,250 miles · May 7, 2009

Power TrainStructure

FIRST I HAD TO REPLACE THREE OF FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS ON THE VEHICLE IN JUNE OF 2006 FOUR MONTHS AFTER I GOT THE VEHICLE. THEN JUST TWO MONTHS AGO A SWAY BAR LINK BROKE AND BROKE A STRUT SO I HAD TO REPLACE THEM. NOW I AM STUCK WITH A 2003 SATURN VUE IN MY DRIVEWAY STILL PAYING FOR IT WITH A BAD TRANSMISSION. EVERYTHING WAS GOING …

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NHTSA ODI #10267984

137,000 miles · May 6, 2009

Power Train

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2003 SATURN VUE W/ VTI PURCHASED JULY 30, 2003. REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION TO DEALER ON 12/14/05. DEALER REPLACED ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION AT THAT TIME. MILEAGE WAS 59,721 AT TIME TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. ON 5/1/09 WHEN EXITING THE FREEWAY, THE ENGINE STARTED TO SHUDDER AND JERK AS IF NOT GETTING POWER. I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. WHEN I TRIED TO PUT THE CAR BACK INTO GEAR, IT WOULD NO LONGER ENGAGE THE DRIVE OR REAR GEARS. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED AND CHECKED OUT, I HAVE BEEN ADVISED MUST GET A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS CURRENT TRANSMISSION ONLY HAS 78,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267822

76,909 miles · May 4, 2009

Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SLIP INTO GEAR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE DEALER SHOULD PERFORM THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,909 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,900.

NHTSA ODI #10267651

93,000 miles · May 3, 2009

Power Train

THERE WAS NO WARNING JUST TOOK OFF FROM MY HOUSE IN 2003 SATURN VUE AND WHEN I WENT TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO LET GO. IT WON'T GO OUT OF FIRST GEAR AND GEARSHIFT JUST MOVES FREELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267594

13,000 miles · Apr 21, 2009

Power Train

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OWN A 2003 SATURN VUE AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WE TOOK IT IN FOR A RECALL IN 2005 AND THEY CLAIMED THEY FIXED IT. A YEAR LATER WE HAD TO TAKE IT BACK IN TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM FIXED AND PAID FOR IT SINCE IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. CURRENTLY WE ARE UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VUE DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM THE TRANS IS COMPLETELY OUT AND SATURN WILL NOT REPLACE IT, INSTEAD THEY WANT $9000 TO REPAIR THE TRANS. THE ONLY SYMPATHY WE GET IS "OH 2003 VUES HAVE BAD TRANS IN THEM". SO WE ARE NOW STUCK WITH A CAR THAT DOES NOT RUN IN OUR DRIVEWAY WONDERING WHAT TO DO WITH IT. EVERY AUTO SHOP WE TAKE IT TO DOES NOT WANT TO FIX IT BECAUSE OF THE TYPE OF TRANS THAT IT IS OR THEY TELL US WE HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT IS "DEALER TRADEMARKED" FOR THE PARTS. I USED TO LOVE SATURN AND TELL EVERYONE THEY WERE THE BEST AND I WILL ALWAYS OWN AND BUY SATURN PRODUCTS. SINCE ALL THE PROBLEMS AND THE LACK OF HELP FROM SATURN I NO LONGER TALK THEM UP ,BUT TELL EVERYONE I KNOW TO NEVER BUY SATURN BECAUSE YOU WILL GET JUNK AND THEY WILL NOT HELP YOU IN ANYWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266211

10,000 miles · Apr 20, 2009

Power Train

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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. SATURN IS NOW BEING DECIDED IN THE COURT SYSTEM (CAS) THE FINAL DECISION SHOULD BE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS SO KEEP CHECKING BACK ON THIS AND OTHER SITES THAT ATTRACT LEMON VEHICLES! ALL I ASK IS FOR GM/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 2007-08 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 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 GM/SATURN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266046

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2009

EquipmentPower Train

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THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF THE COMPLAINT THAT I FILED YESTERDAY (# 10265132). I AM THE GUY WHO LIVES IN LAS VEGAS. I GOT MY CAR BACK FROM SATURN LAST THURSDAY WITH A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION IN IT. WHEN I STARTED MY CAR AND WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE THE DEALERSHIP I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE THAT WAS NEVER PRESENT BEFORE SO I TOLD SATURN TO TAKE IT BACK AND FIX IT AGAIN. THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO HEAR THE SOUND AND GAVE THE CAR BACK TO ME THE NEXT DAY (FRIDAY 04/10/09). I DROVE THE CAR HOME (ABOUT 4 MILES) AND DID NOT DRIVE IT UNTIL I WENT TO WORK ON MONDAY (04/13/09). WORK IS 15 MILES AWAY. WHEN I LEFT WORK I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT WITH MY CAR IN DRIVE AND MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE ONLY! WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD LIKE AS IF I WERE TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS INCHES FROM HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE TEMP WENT DEAD COLD. THEN I PUT IT BACK INTO DRIVE AND THE TEMP WHEN BACK TO WHERE IT WAS BEFORE. THIS HAPPENED ONCE MORE BEFORE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. I GOT ON THE FREEWAY AND MY CAR DID NOT FEEL RIGHT (VERY SLUGGISH). I HAD TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL ABOUT 3/4 OF THE WAY TO THE FLOOR FOR THE CAR TO MOVE MORE THAN JUST A LITTLE. THE ENGINE NOISE WAS BACK EVEN LOUDER THAN BEFORE. I MADE IT TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE CLOSED FOR THE DAY SO I LEFT MY CAR OVER NIGHT. THE NEXT DAY MY WIFE DROPPED ME OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP. I NEEDED TO PULL MY CAR INTO THE SERVICE BAY SO I STARTED MY CAR BUT JUST TURNING THE KEY BUT NOT PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THE ENGINE REVVED TO OVER 3000 RPM. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND THE CAR DID NOT MOVE. I NOTICED THAT MY DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. THE MORE GAS I GAVE THE CAR THE FASTER THE DAYTIME LIGHTS WOULD FLASH ON AND OFF. THE SATURN MECHANIC TEST DROVE MY CAR AND USED SOME INSTRUMENT PLUGGED UNDER THE DASH. HE CAME BACK FROM THE DRIVE AND TOLD ME THAT IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION AGAIN! THIS IS MY 4TH TRANSMISSION IN THE LAST 1 1/2 YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10265322

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2009

Power Train

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I OWN A 2003 SATURN VUE THAT I BOUGHT NEW FROM THE DEALER IN OCTOBER OF 2002. I JUST GOT MY CAR BACK FROM THE DEALER LAST FRIDAY WITH THE 3RD TRANSMISSION THAT HAS BEEN INSTALLED IN THE CAR IN THE LAST 1 1/2 YEARS. THIS IS DUE TO THE ISSUE THAT EVERYONE HAS BEEN REPORTING WITH THE VTI TRANSMISSIONS. SINCE THE CAR IS ON IT'S 4TH TRANSMISSION (I AM COUNTING THE ONE THAT CAME WITH IT WHEN I GOT IT NEW) I AM CONCERNED THAT I WILL BE OUT OF LUCK WHEN MY MILEAGE REACHES 100,000 MILES. SATURN SAID THEY WOULD NOT COVER ANY ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION AFTER 100,000 MILES EVEN THOUGH I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. I WAS LEFT STRANDED THE 1ST TIME, MY WIFE AND 3 KIDS WERE STRANDED THE 2ND TIME (WE LIVE IN LAS VEGAS AND THIS WAS IN THE SUMMER WHEN IT WAS ABOUT 115 DEGREES). THE LAST TIME (THIS LAST WEEK) THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT SOON CAME ON AND I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE I BROKE DOWN. YOU CAN IMAGE HOW HAPPY I WAS WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT THE REASON FOR THE SERVICE LIGHT WAS MY TRANSMISSION! I AM HONESTLY VERY EASY ON THIS CAR, I HAVE NEVER FLOORED IT OR DRIVEN AT REALLY HIGH RPM'S. I WANT THIS ON RECORD SO THAT WHEN THE DAY COMES (AND I BELIEVE THAT IT WILL) WHEN SATURN COMPLETELY TURNS IT BACK ON ME AND I HAVE TO SUE THEM IN ORDER TO GET MY CAR FIXED THAT I AM A GOOD CAR OWNER (AS I AM SURE MOST OF YOU ARE) WHO TOOK REALLY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR AND ONLY HAD IT SERVICED AT THE DEALER. SATURN SHOULD MAKE THIS RIGHT AND FIX THESE TRANSMISSIONS. WHY AM I NOW ON MY 4TH TRANSMISSION? WHY DID THEY NOT FIX THIS ISSUE. I REALLY HOPE THAT SOMEONE FROM THE NHTSA INVESTIGATES THIS ISSUE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10265132

Official recalls

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

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

Suspension:rear