NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
23 reportsClear category filter89,250 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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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 GOOD AFTER THE STRUTS I THOUGHT I HAD IT ALL FIXED BUT THEN MY GIRLFRIEND WENT TO LEAVE THE DRIVEWAY AND THERE IS NO REVERSE IN THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10267984
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
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
Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2005
EquipmentStructureSuspensionCrash
CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO HAVE RECALL WORK DONE ON 2003 SATURN VUE, DUE TO PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *TS THE CONSUMER ALSO ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS WITH THE A/C FAILING TO WORK PROPERLY, MOLDING PEELING AWAY FROM THE STRUCTURE AND THE REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSING WHICH CAUSED THE ROLL OVER. *SC
NHTSA ODI #10142139
16,358 miles · Jun 10, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
CONSUMER STATES: TOOK IN VEHICLE ON 5 SEPARATE TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION, WHINING NOISE WAS HEARD, ALMOST LIKE THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. WAS ON HIGHWAY, AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS CONSUMER GAVE IT VEHICLE WOULDN'T MOVE. WHEN GIVING IT MORE GAS THE ENGINE WOULD REV BUT STILL WOULDN'T GO. BEFORE PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION, AT A S…
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CONSUMER STATES: TOOK IN VEHICLE ON 5 SEPARATE TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION, WHINING NOISE WAS HEARD, ALMOST LIKE THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. WAS ON HIGHWAY, AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS CONSUMER GAVE IT VEHICLE WOULDN'T MOVE. WHEN GIVING IT MORE GAS THE ENGINE WOULD REV BUT STILL WOULDN'T GO. BEFORE PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION, AT A SEPARATE TIME, SOMETHING WITH THE COMPUTER WENT WRONG. IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. SUCH AS GAS GAUGE SHOWED EMPTY TANK AND SPEEDOMETER WENT TO ZERO.*AK WHEN AT A STOP IDLE SEEMS TO DROP AND WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP, VEHICLE HESTIATES AND LURCHES. TRANSAXLE SPEED SENSOR REPLACED. TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE REPROGRAMED DUE TO WHINING NOISE. HOOD WON'T OPEN. HOOD CABLE READJUSTED. DRIVER AND PASSENGER WASHER NOZZLE MISSING AND REPLACED. STEERING WHEEL MAKING NOISE. SHAFT BOOT GREASED. SERVICE ENGINE SOON (SES) LIGHT ON. OXYGEN SENSOR WAS CONTAMINATED AND REPLACED. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10120562
Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2005
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train
PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION EQUIPMENT ON 2003 SATURN VUE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR THREE WEEKS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE CONSUMER WAS NOTIFIED OF A TRANSMISSION RELATED RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. FOUR MONTHS LATER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING IN TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETER…
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PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION EQUIPMENT ON 2003 SATURN VUE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR THREE WEEKS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE CONSUMER WAS NOTIFIED OF A TRANSMISSION RELATED RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. FOUR MONTHS LATER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING IN TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (VTI TRANSMISSION). THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE VTI TRANSMISSION BUT INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE OF TRANSMISSION THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY. THE STARTER AND REAR WIPER MOTOR WAS REPLACED. BOTH FUEL SENDERS FAILED RESULTING IN INACCURATE FUEL READINGS. THE LIFTGATE BECAME STUCK WHEN OPENED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10119004
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2004
Power TrainStructure
WHILE DRIVING IN NEW FALLEN SNOW THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GO UP A SMALL GRADE. THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT TO ENGAGE IN REVERSE. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHEN IT BEGAN TO SLIDE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE TRANSMISSIO…
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WHILE DRIVING IN NEW FALLEN SNOW THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GO UP A SMALL GRADE. THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT TO ENGAGE IN REVERSE. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHEN IT BEGAN TO SLIDE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE TRANSMISSION MODULE. THE HOOD RELEASE WAS NOT WORKING BECAUSE THE HOOD RELEASE CABLE WAS STRETCHED AND BENT *AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10083834
Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2004
Electrical SystemPower TrainStructure
I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 VUE. FIRST, THE VTI TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO HESITATE AND OR SLIP WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS, IT COMES AND GOES. IT ALSO SEEMS LOUDER THAT IT SHOULD BE WITH CLICKING NOISES, ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO MAKE SURE…
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I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 VUE. FIRST, THE VTI TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO HESITATE AND OR SLIP WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS, IT COMES AND GOES. IT ALSO SEEMS LOUDER THAT IT SHOULD BE WITH CLICKING NOISES, ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS OK, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. SECOND, THE HORN IS VERY HARD TO USE, MY WIFE DOES NOT LIKE TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE SHE DOES MOSTLY CITY DRIVING AND NEEDS A HORN. IT'S NOT BROKEN, JUST VERY DIFFICULT TO USE AND I THINK A POTENTIAL HAZARD. FINALLY THERE ARE MANY OTHER SQEAKS AND RATTLES THAT DRIVE ME CRAZY. THE HEADLINER AROUND THE SUNROOF ON THE DRIVERS SIDE RATTLES A LOT. ALSO THE REAR TRUNK/LIFTGATE SQUEEKS AND AFTER CLOSER EXAMINATION I SAW THAT THE INSIDE PLASTIC WAS COMING APART FROM THE REAR TRUNK/LIFTGATE. I PUSHED IT BACK TOGETHER, BUT I THINK IT LOOSENS EVERYTIME I CLOSE THE TRUNK/LIFTGATE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO THE VEHICLE CONCERNING THESE PROBLEMS. *AL
NHTSA ODI #10082803
23,000 miles · Apr 14, 2004
Air BagsPower TrainStructureCrashInjury
AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY VEHICLE DRIFTED ONTO THE GRASSY SHOULDER. WITHOUT HITTING MY BRAKES, I STEERED BACK ONTO THE ROAD. THE REAR END OF MY VEHICLE FISH-TAILED SLIGHTLY. AS THIS WAS HAPPENING, THE DRIVER'S BACK WHEEL BENT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO ROLL OVER, PASSENGER SIDE FIRST, ONTO THE SIDE OF THE HIG…
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AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY VEHICLE DRIFTED ONTO THE GRASSY SHOULDER. WITHOUT HITTING MY BRAKES, I STEERED BACK ONTO THE ROAD. THE REAR END OF MY VEHICLE FISH-TAILED SLIGHTLY. AS THIS WAS HAPPENING, THE DRIVER'S BACK WHEEL BENT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO ROLL OVER, PASSENGER SIDE FIRST, ONTO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. DURING THE ROLL-OVER, NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, BOTH DRIVER- SIDE TIRES BLEW, BOTH AXLES BENT, THE TOPS OF THE PASSENGER-SIDE DOORS CRUMPLED, THE PASSENGER-SIDE WINDOWS SHATTERED, AND THE ROOF CRUMPLED LIKE A CRUSHED ALUMINUM CAN. I RECEIVED NUMEROUS INJURIES, INCLUDING NECK/BACK/SHOULDER STRAINS, BROKEN RIBS AND DAMAGE TO MY RIGHT KNEE AND ANKLE.
NHTSA ODI #10066157
1 miles · Feb 9, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train
MY COMPLAINTS ARE SEVERAL . ALL OF WHICH HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED IN TECHNICAKL BULLETINS. I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER NO LESS THAN 10 TIMES SINCE I OURCHASED IT. NOW, I LIVE WITH THE ISSUES BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE ADDITIONAL WORK , THE WORST PROBLEM IS THE VIBRATION IN THE DRIVETRAIN AT IDLE (WHEN IN DRIVE AND T…
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MY COMPLAINTS ARE SEVERAL . ALL OF WHICH HAVE BEEN DESCRIBED IN TECHNICAKL BULLETINS. I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER NO LESS THAN 10 TIMES SINCE I OURCHASED IT. NOW, I LIVE WITH THE ISSUES BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE ADDITIONAL WORK , THE WORST PROBLEM IS THE VIBRATION IN THE DRIVETRAIN AT IDLE (WHEN IN DRIVE AND THE VIBRATION DRIVING AT 60-65. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVERS DOOR SQUEEKS ( I BELIVE ITS THE INSULATION) MY LUGGAGE BOLTS BROKE, THE SEAT CUSHION ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WOULD NOT STAY ATTACHED ON THE FRONT EDGE, THERE IS A POPPING NOISE WHEN THE TRUCK IS IDLING, WHEN YOU CLOSE THE REAR LIFTGATE, THE PLASTIC INTERIOR SEPERATES FROM THE DOOR, WHE IT IS COLD MY STEERING COLUMN MAKE NOISE.
NHTSA ODI #10056888
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.