2003 VTI TRANSMISSION IN SATURN VUE. THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRES CONSTANT TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP FOR MONITORING UPDATES OR REPAIRS. GETS FIXED, ONLY TO HAVE SAME PROBLEMS RETURN AGAIN VERY SOON. SEE WWW.SATURNFANS.COM BLOG TO SEE HIGH REPORTS OF PROBLEMS. TRIED TO TRADE IN VEHICLE ON NEWER VUE WITHOUT VTI TRANSMISSION. DEALER OFFER…
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2003 VTI TRANSMISSION IN SATURN VUE. THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRES CONSTANT TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP FOR MONITORING UPDATES OR REPAIRS. GETS FIXED, ONLY TO HAVE SAME PROBLEMS RETURN AGAIN VERY SOON. SEE WWW.SATURNFANS.COM BLOG TO SEE HIGH REPORTS OF PROBLEMS. TRIED TO TRADE IN VEHICLE ON NEWER VUE WITHOUT VTI TRANSMISSION. DEALER OFFERED TRADE-IN VALUE SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER THAN KELLY BLUE BOOK. DEALER STATED "WE WON'T PUT A VTI VUE ON LOT FOR RESALE." SATURN DISCONTINUED PROBLEMATIC TRANSMISSION IN 04. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10184096
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2007
EquipmentPower Train
ON 11/19/2004 29,021 MILES. NOISE IN ENGINE AREA. SATURN REPLACED TRANSMISSION FLUID. WAS TOLD IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. 9/12/2005 61,695 MILES. CAR WOULDN'T GO WHEN PUT INTO GEAR. ALL GEARS WERE TRIED. CONTACTED SATURN WAS TOLD TO GET IT TOWED IN AND THEY WOULD INSPECT IT. BROUGHT TO ATTENTION …
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ON 11/19/2004 29,021 MILES. NOISE IN ENGINE AREA. SATURN REPLACED TRANSMISSION FLUID. WAS TOLD IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. 9/12/2005 61,695 MILES. CAR WOULDN'T GO WHEN PUT INTO GEAR. ALL GEARS WERE TRIED. CONTACTED SATURN WAS TOLD TO GET IT TOWED IN AND THEY WOULD INSPECT IT. BROUGHT TO ATTENTION THAT THE LETTER I RECEIVED ABOUT THE VTI TRANSMISSION HAVING PROBLEMS AND AGAIN WAS TOLD IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE CAR TOWED IN. ALSO HAD TO RENT MY OWN CAR. WAS REIMBURSED BUT ONLY FOR A SMALL PORTION ON THE RENTAL CAR COST AND NOTHING FOR THE TOW. FINALLY GOT MY CAR BACK ON 9/21/2005. 5/31/2006 89,412 MILES. AGAIN CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST AS I WILL NOT GO BACK TO SATURN. ANOTHER TRANSMISSION WAS PUT IN ANOTHER VTI AS NO OTHER TRANSMISSION CAN BE PUT IN THIS CAR. THIS ONE AT MY EXPENSE. 9/26/2006 105,000. CAR LOST POWER ON A CANYON ROAD HAD TO PULL OVER AND BE TOWED. WAS TOLD TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED AND WAS NOW RUNNING FINE. 2/8/2007 117,000 MILES. HERE WE GO AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. WHEN WILL A RECALL BE ISSUED. HOW MANY PEOPLE NEED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS UNSAFE AND SHODDY TRANSMISSION. PLEASE HELP. I CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER TRANSMISSION. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10182153
50,000 miles · Jan 8, 2007
Power TrainStructure
DAMAGE TO MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL CLUTCHES ON MY AWD 2003 SATURN VUE. THE VENT THAT LETS AIR IN AND OUT OF THE CLUTCH HOUSING WOULD ALLOW WATER TO ENTER AS WELL. WATER WOULD THEN MIX WITH THE GEAR OIL IN THAT CLUTCH HOUSING CASE AND CAUSE THE CLUTCH PACK TO "WHINE" OR "GROWL" ON A SHARP TURN. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON THE 2003…
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DAMAGE TO MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL CLUTCHES ON MY AWD 2003 SATURN VUE. THE VENT THAT LETS AIR IN AND OUT OF THE CLUTCH HOUSING WOULD ALLOW WATER TO ENTER AS WELL. WATER WOULD THEN MIX WITH THE GEAR OIL IN THAT CLUTCH HOUSING CASE AND CAUSE THE CLUTCH PACK TO "WHINE" OR "GROWL" ON A SHARP TURN. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON THE 2003 SATURN VUE AND SATURN RE-DESIGNED THE VUE IN 2004. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10178078
Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2006
Power Train
VTI TRANSMISSION HAS A PROPENSITY TO REDUCE POWER WHEN WHEELS SLIP. IF PULLING OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION, WHEN ENGINE RPMS DROP THERE IS A CHANCE FOR BEING BROADSIDED BY VEHICLES. WE'VE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES. DRIVER IS NEVER QUITE SURE IF THE POWER WILL BE AVAILABLE TO SAFELY ENTER TRAFFIC OR CROSS INTERSECTION. THIS REDUCTION …
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VTI TRANSMISSION HAS A PROPENSITY TO REDUCE POWER WHEN WHEELS SLIP. IF PULLING OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION, WHEN ENGINE RPMS DROP THERE IS A CHANCE FOR BEING BROADSIDED BY VEHICLES. WE'VE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES. DRIVER IS NEVER QUITE SURE IF THE POWER WILL BE AVAILABLE TO SAFELY ENTER TRAFFIC OR CROSS INTERSECTION. THIS REDUCTION IN POWER CAN RESULT FROM A LIGHT DUSTING OF SNOW TO SLIPPERY CROSSWALK PAINTED LINES, TO DIRT, GRAVEL OR OIL ON ROADWAY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10175245
Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2006
Power Train
TRANSMISSION SHIFT FAILURES. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10173773
Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2006
Power Train
TRANSMISSION SHIFT FAILURES. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10173770
76,000 miles · Nov 9, 2006
Power Train
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE SIZE OF THE ENGINE AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.
NHTSA ODI #10173063
1 miles · Sep 13, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
CV JOINTS WERE REPLACED AT 22000 NOW AGAINAT 37000 I NEED TO REPLACE THEM. FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 22000 AND AGAIN AT 33000 TIMING BELT AT 20000 NEEDED REPLACEMENT I REPLACED THE MAIN COMPUTER CONTROLLER IN AUG 2006. THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF CRAP AND I WILL NEVER BUY A SATURN AGAIN I BOUGHT THIS BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT IN …
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CV JOINTS WERE REPLACED AT 22000 NOW AGAINAT 37000 I NEED TO REPLACE THEM. FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 22000 AND AGAIN AT 33000 TIMING BELT AT 20000 NEEDED REPLACEMENT I REPLACED THE MAIN COMPUTER CONTROLLER IN AUG 2006. THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF CRAP AND I WILL NEVER BUY A SATURN AGAIN I BOUGHT THIS BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT IN JAN 2003 AND HAVE HAD MAJOR THINGS GO WRONG. I ALSO NEED TO NOW REPLACE THE TIRES ( DULLERS) AT 37000 BECAUSE I AM HYDROPLANNG ALL OVER THE PLACE.I HAD A LOUD SOUND FROM MY PASSENGER WINDOW THAT TOOK 2 YEARS TO DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR AND THE REAR END WAS RECALLED AND THE COOLING FAN REPLACED AT 24000. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10168187
35,000 miles · Aug 16, 2006
Electrical SystemFuel System, OtherPower Train
WHEN STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND SITTING STILL FOR A FEW SECONDS, THERE IS A LOUD THUMPING SOUND (OCCURRING THREE OR FOUR TIMES) FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE (SOUNDS SIMILAR TO A LOOSE FUEL TANK BAFFLE). THE DEALER STATED THEY WEREN'T AWARE OF ANY FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM, THOUGH THEY TRIED A COUPLE OF IDEAS. WHILE I'VE FOUND THIS ON S…
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WHEN STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND SITTING STILL FOR A FEW SECONDS, THERE IS A LOUD THUMPING SOUND (OCCURRING THREE OR FOUR TIMES) FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE (SOUNDS SIMILAR TO A LOOSE FUEL TANK BAFFLE). THE DEALER STATED THEY WEREN'T AWARE OF ANY FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM, THOUGH THEY TRIED A COUPLE OF IDEAS. WHILE I'VE FOUND THIS ON SEVERAL WEBSITES ONLINE, NOBODY SEEMS TO KNOW THE CAUSE. EVERYONE SEEMS TO LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM. IT'S DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE AS IT SEEMS INTERMITTANT, BUT HAPPENS ON AVERAGE ONCE PER DAY. BEING THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE EMINATING FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM, I THINK THAT SATURN SHOULD TAKE THIS ISSUE MORE SERIOUSLY, AND MORE THAN LIKELY THIS IS SOMETHING THEY CAN CORRECT BY REPLACING THE FUEL TANK, I FEEL THAT THEY JUST DON'T WANT THAT EXPENSE. ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE HORN SWITCH, AS IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE IN A PANIC SITUATION, WHICH IS WHAT IT IS DESIGNED TO BE USED IN. LASTLY, I BELEIVE THAT NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE THE AWD SYSTEM ON THESE VEHICLES. I'VE DONE MY OWN TESTS AND I HAVE TO SAY I AM SURPRISED ABOUT HOW EASILY IT IS TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IN LIGHT SNOW. WHEN THE REAR COMES ON, IF THE ENGINE IS REVVING HIGH, IT CAN SPIN THE VEHICLE AROUND LIKE A TOP.
NHTSA ODI #10165605
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
2003 SATURN VUE FAILED TO START. *KB THE VEHICLE MADE SQUEAKING NOISES WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE A RIGHT TURN, IN ADDITION TO VARIOUS OTHER RUMBLINGS. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ROTORS, BEARINGS AND TRANSMISSION. A SPECIAL WHEEL BEARING HAD TO BE ORDERED AS WELL AS A SPECIAL SIDE COVER AND HARDWARE FOR THE TRANSMI…
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2003 SATURN VUE FAILED TO START. *KB THE VEHICLE MADE SQUEAKING NOISES WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE A RIGHT TURN, IN ADDITION TO VARIOUS OTHER RUMBLINGS. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE ROTORS, BEARINGS AND TRANSMISSION. A SPECIAL WHEEL BEARING HAD TO BE ORDERED AS WELL AS A SPECIAL SIDE COVER AND HARDWARE FOR THE TRANSMISSION. THE COOLANT SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE REAR WIPERS WOULD STICK. THE GAS GAUGE WOULD ONLY READ 3/4 FULL. THE AIR CONDITION STOPPED WORKING AND THE HOT AND COLD KNOB DID NOT GO ALL THE TO COOL. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED WHICH WAS THE REASON THE VEHICLE WASN'T STARTING. THE TRANSFER CASE SEAL WAS REPLACED. *JB
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.
2003 Saturn Vue Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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