TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. ON JUNE 27, 2007, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 70 MPH, THE GEAR CABLE FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED 911 AND THE DISPATCHER INSTRUCTED HER ON HOW TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE A CRASH OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD MANY FAILURES SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED AND WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A REC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. ON JUNE 27, 2007, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 TO 70 MPH, THE GEAR CABLE FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED 911 AND THE DISPATCHER INSTRUCTED HER ON HOW TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE A CRASH OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD MANY FAILURES SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED AND WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL FOR THE SUSPENSION. ONE WEEK AGO, THE HORN SOUNDED ON ITS OWN AT 2 AM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND A DEFECT IN THE HORN AND AIR BAGS. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 37,000.
NHTSA ODI #10199029
6,500 miles · Jun 5, 2007
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER AND STOP. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER AND STOP. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. AS OF 06-05-07, THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,344.
NHTSA ODI #10192471
18,000 miles · Mar 27, 2007
Electrical System
JULY 2005 - WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MY DASH GAUGES BEGAN DROPPING TO ZERO AND ALL THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON (ABS, TC, CHECK ENGINE, ETC) AND THE ALARM BELLS STARTS DINGING. THE CAR DIED AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN.. ALL WAS WELL FOR A FEW MILES WHEN BELLS STARTS GOING OFF AN…
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JULY 2005 - WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MY DASH GAUGES BEGAN DROPPING TO ZERO AND ALL THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON (ABS, TC, CHECK ENGINE, ETC) AND THE ALARM BELLS STARTS DINGING. THE CAR DIED AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN.. ALL WAS WELL FOR A FEW MILES WHEN BELLS STARTS GOING OFF AND ALL DASH WARNING LIGHTS AGAIN COME ON. CAR DIES SEVERAL TIMES ON FREEWAY BEFORE ABLE TO GET IT HOME. TAKEN TO SATURN DEALER AND THEY REPLACED A BODY CONTROL MODULE.. ALL WAS WELL. OCTOBER 2006 - ANOTHER MODULE WENT OUT - THE POWER CONTROL MODULE. MARCH 24 2007 - WENT OUT TO CAR AROUND 11 AM AND STARTED IT ONLY TO NOTICE TC WARNING LIGHT ON. TURNED IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTED - LIGHT WENT OUT. GOT TWO BLOCK AWAY FROM HOME AND ALARM BELLS BEGIN DINGING, ALL DASH WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND GAUGES (FUEL, TEMP) FLATLINE. TAKEN TO SATURN DEALER AND TOLD THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE IS OUT AGAIN. CAR HAS 64000 MILES ON IT TOTAL AND HAS THREE TIMES HAD A MODULE REPLACED. TWICE IT HAS BEEN THE SAME ONE FOR OVER $500 EACH TIME.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10186297
38,000 miles · Oct 5, 2006
Electrical System
THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDLE GO OFF OR DON'T LIGHT UP INTERMITTENTLY. (THE GAUGE REMAIN LIT). THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER OVER 5 TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESSFULLY FIXING THE PROBLEM. IT'S OBVIOUSLY A LOOSE CONNECTION IN A WIRE. WITHOUT THE NEEDLES WE ARE UNABLE TO READ SPEED, RPM, TEMP OR GAS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10169984
23,000 miles · Dec 3, 2005
Electrical System
LATE AT NIGHT IN A MAJOR DOWNTOWN PARKING DECK, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. GO TO START VEHICLE, CRANKS BUT NEVER TURNS OVER. SHUT VEHICLE OFF, GO TO RESTART AND VEHICLE WILL START. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT OCCURS EVERY FEW DAYS. NOT TO MENTION, SINCE THIS PROBLEM STARTED MY REMOTE TO UNLOCK AND LOCK DOORS HAS STARTED…
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LATE AT NIGHT IN A MAJOR DOWNTOWN PARKING DECK, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. GO TO START VEHICLE, CRANKS BUT NEVER TURNS OVER. SHUT VEHICLE OFF, GO TO RESTART AND VEHICLE WILL START. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT OCCURS EVERY FEW DAYS. NOT TO MENTION, SINCE THIS PROBLEM STARTED MY REMOTE TO UNLOCK AND LOCK DOORS HAS STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. SOMETIMES IT WILL LOCK BUT NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS. DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM AND CLEANED CONTACTS ON REMOTE, WHICH TWO TRIES LATER TO GET INTO VEHICLE, DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10144361
300 miles · Oct 20, 2005
Electrical SystemSteering
DT: THE CALLER SAID THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN. SHE SAYS IT MAKES A SQUEALING NOISE. ONCE THE STEERING LOCKED. SHE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. SHE SAID IT HAPPENED WHEN SHE WAS TURNING INTO PARKING SPOTS, DRIVEWAYS, AND WHILE TURNING CORNERS. IT STARTED HAPPENING WITHOUT WARNIN…
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DT: THE CALLER SAID THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN. SHE SAYS IT MAKES A SQUEALING NOISE. ONCE THE STEERING LOCKED. SHE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. SHE SAID IT HAPPENED WHEN SHE WAS TURNING INTO PARKING SPOTS, DRIVEWAYS, AND WHILE TURNING CORNERS. IT STARTED HAPPENING WITHOUT WARNING, AND IT WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. DEALER DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. THEY REPLACED SOMETHING CALLED STEERING SHAFT INTERMEDIATE. ALSO, THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER HOUSING TO FIX THE LOCKING. THEY REPLACED IT THREE TIMES. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WILL CONTINUE TO HELP THE CALLER WITH THE REPAIRS. BUT SHE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #10137431
9,000 miles · Jan 6, 2005
Electrical System
04 SATURN VUE,(ONLY)11,000 MILES. PROBLEMS STARTING AND NOT CRANKING PROPERLY.PROBLEM PROGRESSIVLY GOT WORSE.DEALER IS NOW REPLACING THE ENTIRE WIREING HARNESS IN THE DASH.CUST.SERV.WRITER SAID "YOU HAVE SOME BAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS , SOME PINS WHERE NOT CONNECTING PROPERLY TO START YOUR VEHICLE." THIS MAKES ME VERY UNCOMFURTABL…
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04 SATURN VUE,(ONLY)11,000 MILES. PROBLEMS STARTING AND NOT CRANKING PROPERLY.PROBLEM PROGRESSIVLY GOT WORSE.DEALER IS NOW REPLACING THE ENTIRE WIREING HARNESS IN THE DASH.CUST.SERV.WRITER SAID "YOU HAVE SOME BAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS , SOME PINS WHERE NOT CONNECTING PROPERLY TO START YOUR VEHICLE." THIS MAKES ME VERY UNCOMFURTABLE WITH MY NEW SATURN VUE.MY DEALER NAME IS [XXX] OF JACKSON MS.THEY HAVE HAD MY TRUCK SINCE JAN 4TH AND IT WILL HOPEFULLY BE READY BY THE 10. THEY HAD TO CALL IN A SPECIAL TECHNITION. THANKS , [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10105894
31,600 miles · Nov 21, 2004
Electrical System
ELECTRICAL INTERMITTENT FAILURES. UNABLE TO LOCK OR UNLOCK USING REMOTE CONTROL, HEADLIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHT, DASH LIGHTS, RADIO (ALL ELECTRICAL EXCEPT ENGINE ACCESSORIES) FAIL RANDOMLY. ON ONE OCCASSION ALL INTERIOR & EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A DARK HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY BUT HAD NO …
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ELECTRICAL INTERMITTENT FAILURES. UNABLE TO LOCK OR UNLOCK USING REMOTE CONTROL, HEADLIGHTS, INTERIOR LIGHT, DASH LIGHTS, RADIO (ALL ELECTRICAL EXCEPT ENGINE ACCESSORIES) FAIL RANDOMLY. ON ONE OCCASSION ALL INTERIOR & EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT ON A DARK HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY BUT HAD NO HAZARD LIGHTS (AND PRESUMABLY NO BRAKE LIGHTS) TO WARN OTHER TRAFFIC. WIGGLING THE INTERIOR FUSE PANEL RESTORED POWER. LATER CHECKS OF ALL RELAYS AND FUSES REVEALED NO CONTACT OR COMPONENT FAILURES IN EITHER IN INTERIOR OR UNDER-HOOD ELECTRICAL PANELS. FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND NO NOTICEABLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR PROBLEMS.*AK
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.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.5L V6 (L66) ENGINES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." THE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL RIM SIZE SPECIFICATIONS ON THE TIRE/CERTIFICATION LABEL ARE NOT CORRECT. THE PRINTED WHEEL RIM DESIGNATION SPECIFIED A 16-INCH WHEEL WHEN A 17-INCH WHEEL DESIGNATION WAS REQUIRED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE WHEEL RIM SIZE IS INCORRECTLY PRINTED ON A TIRE/CERTIFICATION LABEL, A SERVICE TECHNICIAN WHO SOLELY USES THE TIRE/CERTIFICATION LABEL FOR SERVICE INFORMATION MAY ATTEMPT TO REPLACE A DAMAGED WHEEL WITH AN INCORRECT WHEEL.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECTED LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000.
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
1
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.
2004 Saturn Vue Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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