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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

What owners actually said

622 reports
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

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY LOSE POWER, THE SECURITY LIGHT BLINKS 3 TIMES THEN THE CAR WILL EITHER REGAIN POWER OR SHUT OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560050

121,221 miles · Jan 13, 2014
Power Train

LOS ANGELES CA. HEADING NORTH BOUND ON 5 FRWY DOING ABOUT SIXTY AND CAR SOUNDED LIKE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL, ENGINE WINDED UP IN RPMS, THE GEAR WAS IN DRIVE POSITION, WITH NO ACCELERATION I COASTED TO A STOP AT BOTTOM OF NEXT EXIT. I WAS TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A CO…

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LOS ANGELES CA. HEADING NORTH BOUND ON 5 FRWY DOING ABOUT SIXTY AND CAR SOUNDED LIKE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL, ENGINE WINDED UP IN RPMS, THE GEAR WAS IN DRIVE POSITION, WITH NO ACCELERATION I COASTED TO A STOP AT BOTTOM OF NEXT EXIT. I WAS TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER 5500. DOLLARS. I'M EXTREMELY UPSET AND WONDERED IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO RECIEVE ANY COMPERNSATION OR ASSISTANCE TO GET THIS REPAIRED? I LOOKED AT INTERNET AND FOUND THERE ARE MANY UNSATIFIED CUSTOMES WITH THE SAME EXPERIENCE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE'S ANY WAY YOU CAN HELP. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559664

105,000 miles · Dec 20, 2013
EnginePower Train

I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 12/2009 AND ONE DAY IN APRIL 2010,I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, MY CAR DIDN'T WANT TO GO ANYWHERE. I HAVE TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION THAT COST ME $4200 AND I EVEN WORKED FOR THE COMPANY WHERE I HAD BOUGHT THE CAR AND WHERE I HAD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT. THEN IN 11/2012, GOOD THING THE…

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I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 12/2009 AND ONE DAY IN APRIL 2010,I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, MY CAR DIDN'T WANT TO GO ANYWHERE. I HAVE TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION THAT COST ME $4200 AND I EVEN WORKED FOR THE COMPANY WHERE I HAD BOUGHT THE CAR AND WHERE I HAD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT. THEN IN 11/2012, GOOD THING THE TRANSMISSION WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN. WELL I WAS ONCE AGAIN DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND MY CAR DID THE EXACT SAME THING AS IT DID THE LAST 2 TIMES. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A GARAGE AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE'S METAL CHIPS IN MY TRANSMISSION. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE FIRST TRANSMISSION WAS PUT IN AND MY WARRANTY EXPIRED 4/2013. I CONTACTED GM AND EVERYONE I COULD WITH NO HELP. I'VE READ SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT THING GOING ON WITH THEIR VUES AND HEARD THAT GM SETTLE A RECALL ON VUES TRANSMISSIONS. WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WHEN ARE WE GETTING REIMBURSED FOR OUR TROUBLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10556806

78,178 miles · Dec 11, 2013
Engine

ON 11/13/2013, I STARTED MY CAR AND THERE WAS A HORRIBLE SOUND AND IT STALLED. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE PEOPLE WHO USUALLY WORKED ON MY VEHICLE. I DID NOT TAKE IT TO A DEALER, AS I COULD NOT AFFORD A DEALER. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN AS THEY COULD HEAR IT WHIPPING AROUND WHEN THEY TRIED TO START THE VEHICL…

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ON 11/13/2013, I STARTED MY CAR AND THERE WAS A HORRIBLE SOUND AND IT STALLED. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE PEOPLE WHO USUALLY WORKED ON MY VEHICLE. I DID NOT TAKE IT TO A DEALER, AS I COULD NOT AFFORD A DEALER. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN AS THEY COULD HEAR IT WHIPPING AROUND WHEN THEY TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE. THEY ADVISED ME THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT DAMAGES THE ENGINE. I CALLED A HYUNDAI DEALER AS HYUNDAI IS THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM. I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS WITH THE TIMING CHAIN IT DOES DAMAGE THE ENGINE AND THAT IT WOULD COST $4000-$7000 TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED. AT NO TIME WAS I TOLD I COULD BRING IT IN AND HAVE IT EVALUATED. I ONLY KNOW THAT I SPOKE WITH SOMEONE THERE AND HE FELT THAT THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED IF I HAD USED THE DEALERSHIP ALL ALONG. I AM ON LIMITED INCOME AND CAN'T AFFORD A LOT SO AFTER CHECKING PLACES WHO COULD BUY THE CAR FROM ME I FOUND SOMEONE WHO WOULD GIVE ME $400 FOR THE VEHICLE. AT NO TIME WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 8/2007 WAS I TOLD THAT THERE WAS A TIMING CHAIN ISSUE. THEY WOULD NOT TELL ME BECAUSE THEY KNEW I WOULD NOT BUY THE VEHICLE IF THEY DID. ALL GM SAYS IS THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THERE WAS NO RECALL BUT BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE BEEN AWARE THAT THERE WAS A TIMING CHAIN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM INVOLVED WITH THE VEHICLE I WAS PURCHASING. THIS DEFINES NEGLECT: HAVING KNOWLEDGE OR SHOULD HAVE HAD KNOWLEDGE OF A PROBLEM AND NOT ADVISING THE PURCHASER OF SAID PROBLEM. THEREFORE, HYUNDAI SHOULD HAVE KNOWN (AS IT IS A GM DEALERSHIP) OR DID KNOW THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND FAILED TO ADVISE ME, THE BUYER, AND I WAS HARMED BY THIS NEGLIGENCE. I AM STILL PAYING ON SOME OF THE WORK I HAD DONE ON THIS VEHICLE. I FEEL I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED IN SOME WAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555556

115,000 miles · Nov 25, 2013
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

WAS DRIVING ONE DAY, AND I NOTICED THAT IT WAS RUNNING DIFFERENT. WHEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP, THEN PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE. IT WOULD TAKE A WHILE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. IT RAN LIKE THAT THE FIRST DAY. THE NEXT DAY WHEN LEAVING MY HOME, IT WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR. IT FINALLY MOVED AFTER TRYING A FEW TIMES, THEN STOPPED A…

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WAS DRIVING ONE DAY, AND I NOTICED THAT IT WAS RUNNING DIFFERENT. WHEN I WOULD COME TO A STOP, THEN PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE. IT WOULD TAKE A WHILE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. IT RAN LIKE THAT THE FIRST DAY. THE NEXT DAY WHEN LEAVING MY HOME, IT WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR. IT FINALLY MOVED AFTER TRYING A FEW TIMES, THEN STOPPED AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. TURNS OUT THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553775

113,000 miles · Sep 15, 2013
Structure

ON 4 OCCASIONS,...I WENT TO OPEN MY DRIVERS' SIDE DOOR.IT WOULD NOT OPEN. I HAD TO ROLL MY WINDOW DOWN (POWER WINDOWS) TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE.I TOOK MY VEHICLE BACK EACH TIME,...IT WORKS FOR A FEW DAYS,...THEN I CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE.AT ONE POINT THIS WEEK,..MY WINDOW GOT STUCK,..AND I COULD NOT GET MY …

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ON 4 OCCASIONS,...I WENT TO OPEN MY DRIVERS' SIDE DOOR.IT WOULD NOT OPEN. I HAD TO ROLL MY WINDOW DOWN (POWER WINDOWS) TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE.I TOOK MY VEHICLE BACK EACH TIME,...IT WORKS FOR A FEW DAYS,...THEN I CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE.AT ONE POINT THIS WEEK,..MY WINDOW GOT STUCK,..AND I COULD NOT GET MY ARM THRU IT TO REACH THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE TO GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE.THIS IS A DEATH TRAP !!!!! NORTHEAST AUTO/CREDIT (BHPH) REFUSES TO TRADE ME OUT OF THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10543659

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2013
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT ENGINE MOUNT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN EIGHT INCH RUST HOLE OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE CRADLE AND MULTIPLE SMALL RUST AREAS THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE CRADLE. THE DEALER STAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT ENGINE MOUNT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN EIGHT INCH RUST HOLE OF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE CRADLE AND MULTIPLE SMALL RUST AREAS THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE CRADLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,404.

NHTSA ODI #10532632

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2013
Power Train

2003 SATURN VUE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND CONSUMER SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THE TRANSMISSION HAD DISINTEGRATED AND IT COULD NOT BE RE-BUILT. TEN DAYS AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY THE LOSS OF POWER LIGHT, …

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2003 SATURN VUE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND CONSUMER SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THE TRANSMISSION HAD DISINTEGRATED AND IT COULD NOT BE RE-BUILT. TEN DAYS AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY THE LOSS OF POWER LIGHT, AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE DANGEROUSLY SLOWED DOWN TO 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR PEDAL UNIT AT THEIR EXPENSE, WHICH WAS A KNOWN SATURN FACTORY SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS FINE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, THEN THE PROBLEM RETURNED. IT WAS TOWED BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP AGAIN. THE REPAIR SHOP PERFORMED AN EXTENSIVE DIAGNOSTICS, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND A DEFINITIVE SOURCE. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN, AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE. THE REPAIR SHOP HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO ANOTHER FACILITY. HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10524417

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2013
EngineFuel System, Gasoline

I LOST THE ABILITY TO GO FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WILL ONLY GO IN REVERSE. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT WITH MY MOTHER AND WENT INTO REVERSE AND WHEN I TRIED TO GO FORWARD THE ENGINE WOULD ONLY REV. AFTER MANY TRIES TO GET IT TO WORK I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION I HAD REPLACED JUST 32000 M…

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I LOST THE ABILITY TO GO FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WILL ONLY GO IN REVERSE. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT WITH MY MOTHER AND WENT INTO REVERSE AND WHEN I TRIED TO GO FORWARD THE ENGINE WOULD ONLY REV. AFTER MANY TRIES TO GET IT TO WORK I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION I HAD REPLACED JUST 32000 MILES EARLIER HAD FAILED. THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 130000 MILES. NOT REALLY SURE SINCE IT HAS BEEN SETTING IN MY DRIVEWAY SINCE THIS HAPPENED AND I CAN'T GET IT TO TURN OVER TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE MILEAGE. WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP IT DID IT AGAIN. THEY WERE ABLE TO GET IT IN GEAR SO I COULD GET IT HOME. THERE ARE MANY CONSUMERS HAVING WORSE SAFETY ISSUES. TAKE A LOOK AT EDMUNDS.COM AND LOOK AT THE SATURN BLOG. SOME HAVE HAD THEIRS GO OUT WHILE IN TRAFFIC, WHILE AWAY ON TRIPS, ON HIGHWAYS. ETC..... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524773

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.