Electrical System. Review the 79 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 79 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports10 fire reports11 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

79 reports

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110,000 miles · Nov 15, 2013

Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD LIGHT WOULD FAIL SPORADICALLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IT WAS NOT THE BULB BURNING SINCE THE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. …

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NHTSA ODI #10552463

66,023 miles · Nov 13, 2013

Exterior Lighting

WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE ON AUTO, OR MANUAL, THE LIGHTS FLICKER, TURN OFF, SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TO TURN THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON THUS FAR. I FIND THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND DON'T KNOW THE CAUSE, HAVE CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS TO FIND IF THERE ARE ISSUES KNOWN TO THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10552022

52,630 miles · Nov 11, 2013

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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WHILE ON A TRIP IN WISCONSIN, I WAS TRAVELING AT NIGHT ON A 4-LANE HIGHWAY WITH TWO FRIENDS IN THE CAR AT A SPEED OF 65 MPH. BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WITH NO INDICATION OF FAILURE ON THE DASH. THANKFULLY, WE WERE THE ONLY ONES ON THE ROAD. I SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED TO THE SIDE AS BEST AS I COULD SEE. UPON STOPPING THE CAR, I SWITCHED THE LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL BOTH HEADLIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. I PULLED BACK ON THE ROAD TO PROCEED - AGAIN NO INDICATION ON THE DASH THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD, ONE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. I SWITCHED THE HEADLIGHTS ON-OFF SEVERAL TIMES AND BOTH CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON 28SEP2009 AND THEY REPLACED BOTH HEADLIGHTS UNDER WARRANTY. A FEW WEEKS LATER ON 4DEC2009, I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT CONTINUED TO GO OUT WITH NO INDICATION ON THE DASH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT HEADLAMP AND I HAD NO FURTHER PROBLEMS UNTIL RECENTLY. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALER 8NOV2013 BECAUSE THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WOULD GO OUT, COME BACK ON, GO OUT, COME BACK ON, ETC. WITH NO WARNING OR INDICATION ON THE DASH. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE!!!!! IF YOU READ SOME BLOGS ON THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, YOU WILL FIND THAT THIS IS NOT A UNIQUE CASE - AND THERE IS NO EXPLANATION WHY IT OCCURS. IF THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT, YOU SHOULD GET AN INDICATION ON THE DASH THAT A LAMP IS BAD. CERTAINLY, BOTH LIGHTS SHOULD NEVER GO OUT AT ONCE WHILE YOU ARE TRAVELING. IT IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE HEADLAMPS IN THIS CAR >$550 PER LIGHT!!!!! MORE IMPORTANTLY, I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE IS NO INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551781

80,200 miles · Aug 3, 2013

Exterior Lighting

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WHAT WOULD APPEAR TO BE A BURNED OUT BLINKER BULB HAS NOW TURNED INTO A RIDICULOUS MESS ESPECIALLY WITH THE FEW SEARCHES I HAVE CONDUCTED ON THIS ISSUE SO FAR ESPECIALLY OWNING THE VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN 5 DAYS (PURCHASED USED) NOT ONLY IS THIS A HEAT ISSUE FROM THE BULB THE PLASTIC HOUSING HAS BECOME SO BRITTLE THAT IT IS FALLING APART INTO SMALL PIECES & DUST SO, ONCE MY BULB FELL OUT OF ITS RESPECTIVE PLACE IN ITS SOCKET IT WAS RESTING ON THE HOUSING I WOULD SAY I HAVE A UNEVEN LARGE OPENING THE SIZE OF A TANGERINE WHERE THE BLINKER BULB USED TO RESIDE. GOOD THING I CHECKED TO SEE WHERE ALL THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM AND TO INVESTIGATE THE BURNING GOING ON I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED IN WHAT I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS THUS FAR SO MUCH SO, IT MAKES ME WONDER ABOUT THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IT MAKES ME WONDER IF I HAVE MADE A MISTAKE SO TO THINK THAT A NEW REPLACEMENT COST WELL OVER $700.00 I AM NOT HAPPY OVER THIS ISSUE OVER POOR PLASTICS DETERIORATING WITHIN 7 YEARS IN MY CASE EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED...THIS IS A CADILLAC!!! MY STANCE IS...IF CADILLAC IS NOT HELD RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE QUALITY OF THEIR PARTS OR EVEN THEIR PRODUCT THEN THE MANUFACTURERS SHOULD BE! AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN MORE THAN ONE WAY I DO NOT HAVE A USABLE BLINKER WHEN WANTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN UPON INSPECTING THE BURNING SMELL & SMOKE I DO BELIEVE A FIRE COULD HAVE HAPPENED! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10533340

51,000 miles · May 15, 2013

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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MY 2006 CADILLAC DTS HID HEADLIGHT WILL INTERMITTENTLY, BUT NOT FREQUENTLY, SHUT OFF. YOU CAN RESTORE THE HEADLIGHT BY JUST SHUTTING THE HEADLAMP OFF AND BACK ON. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE EARLY GM HID SYSTEMS INCLUDED ON THE CADILLAC AND CORVETTE. I BELIEVE THIS IS DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT. THERE IS NO INDICATION THIS WILL OCCUR AND THERE IS NO WARNING ON THE DASH OF ANY KIND. YOU SIMPLY HAVE DIMINISHED VIEW SUDDENLY WHICH IS A RISK TO BEING ABLE TO SEE WHAT IS IN THE ROADWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512179

100,000 miles · Apr 4, 2013

Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE LEVER ON AND OFF IN ORDER FOR THE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANC…

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NHTSA ODI #10507053

78,129 miles · Mar 17, 2013

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

WE WERE DRIVING ON I-40 WEST IN SAMPSON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. THEY CAME BACK ON SHORTLY. THEY BLINKED A FEW TIMES AFTER THAT. WE WERE NEARLY 100 MILES FROM HOME AT NIGHT AND TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY. THIS WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503372

85,000 miles · Jan 22, 2013

Exterior Lighting

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED ON AND OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE DRIVER HAD TO USE THE SWITCH TO GET THEM TO TURN BACK ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. AFTER DIAGNOSIS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BULBS AND THE BALLASTS WERE BURNED OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10493720

65,901 miles · Jan 8, 2013

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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THIS 2006 CADILLAC DTS WAS PURCHASED USED IN NOVEMBER OF 2011. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 30,743 MILES, WAS LIGHTLY USED AND NEVER INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENTS. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000 MILES. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, I NOTICED THE RIGHT SIDE HID HEADLIGHT FLICKERING AND GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING. THINKING IT WAS A BULB, I SPOKE TO THE DEALER BY PHONE WHO ADVISED IT MAY BE A BULB, BALLAST OR LOOSE CONNECTION. FROM RESEARCH AND DEALER CONVERSATION, I LEARNED IT WAS A COSTLY AND TIME CONSUMING REPAIR JUST TO REPLACE THE BULB, DUE TO DESIGN ISSUES REQUIRING REMOVAL OF THE ENTIRE BUMPER COVER JUST TO ACCESS THE HEADLIGHT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SINCE THEN, THE FLICKERING HAS GOTTEN WORSE, NOW AFFECTING BOTH HEADLIGHTS. THEY RANDOMLY FLICKER OFF AND ON WHILE DRIVING PROVING TO BE A DISTRACTION TO ME, AS WELL AS DRIVERS OF OTHER VEHICLES. IT IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE AS THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN THEY ARE GOING TO GO OUT. A SEARCH OF THIS ISSUE VIA GOOGLE REVEALS THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INSTANCE WITH MY VEHICLE, BUT IN FACT, IS VERY WIDESPREAD WITH MANY DOCUMENTED CASES MIRRORING MY SITUATION. CADILLAC / GM TO MY KNOWLEDGE HAS NOT OFFERED ANY RELIEF TO AN ISSUE THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT. PER THE DEALER, REPAIR OF THE BALLAST COULD BE WELL OVER $1000. HOWEVER, REVIEWING OTHER'S EXPERIENCE, THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE SUCCESS IN FINDING OR REPAIRING THE ISSUE. CADILLAC IS SUPPOSED TO BE A FLAGSHIP FOR GM AND A PREMIUM AUTOMOBILE. I WOULD THINK RELIABLE, SAFE AND FUNCTIONAL HEADLIGHTS WOULD BE A MINIMUM THRESHOLD FOR SAFETY. I ASK YOUR ASSISTANCE IN REVIEWING THE DOCUMENTED ISSUES FROM MANY FRUSTRATED CADILLAC OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUES THAT I AM HAVING AND EXERT SOME PRESSURE ON GM / CADILLAC TO RECTIFY THIS KNOWN ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10491914

50,000 miles · Oct 15, 2012

Exterior Lighting

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF BEFORE COMPLETELY FAILING. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF IN ORDER TO GET THEM TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000. UPDATED 11/14/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED SINCE FILING THE COMPLAINT, HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THEY STATED THERE WAS WATER INTRUSION IN THE HEADLIGHTS WHICH SHORTED OUT THE BALLAST. IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED, BECAUSE HE DID NOT WANT TO PAY $2,000. UPDATED 11/15/12

NHTSA ODI #10480178

Official recalls

14V355000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jun 23, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.

10V240000 · Electrical System

Jun 4, 2010

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

08V441000 · Electrical System

Aug 28, 2008

GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL, SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WIPER WASHER FLUID SYSTEM. A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLUID HEATER MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR, OR CAUSE SMOKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM, GMC AT 1-866-996-9436; OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493; OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

06V105000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

Apr 5, 2006

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 ENGINE,THE POWER STEERING HOSE CONNECTORS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY CRIMPED WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FLUID LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, POWER STEERING ASSIST MAY BE LOST AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED AT LOW SPEEDS. ALSO, IF THE POWER STEERING FLUID WERE TO CONTACT HOT ENGINE PARTS, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING GEAR INLET HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 OR CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.

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

EA08010 · NON-CRASH Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Jun 12, 2008 · Closed Sep 8, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery; Electrical System:wiring; Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood; Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers; Engine And Engine Cooling; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:switch/wiring

IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 27, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-441) TO ADDRESS A SAFETY RELATEDDEFECT THAT CAN RESULT IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IN APPROXIMATELY 850,000 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID OPTION.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES OF THIS INVESTIGATION COMPRISE OVER THREE-QUARTERS OF THE RECALL POPULATION. ACCORDING TO GM, A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID HEATER MODULE MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE. THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR OR CAUSE SMOKE AND IN RARE CASES IT MAY CAUSE A FIRE.AS A REMEDY, GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE. IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, SEVERAL OTHER GM MODELS WITH THE HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID OPTION ARE INCLUDED IN RECALL 08V-441: MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE (MANUFACTURED AUGUST 2005 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2007); MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE (MANUFACTURED FEBRUARY 2007 THROUGH APRIL 2007); MY 2006-2008 CADILLAC DTS (MANUFACTURED MAY 2007 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2007); MY 2007-2008 SATURN OUTLOOK (MANUFACTURED AUGUST 2006 THROUGH APRIL 2007); AND MY 2007-2008 GMC ACADIA (MANUFACTURED AUGUST 2006 THROUGH APRIL 2007) VEHICLES.GM IS INSTRUCTING OWNERS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR SERVICE IF THEY EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS OF WINDSHIELD WASHER HEATER MODULE SHORT CIRCUITS. GM'S RECALL RESOLVES THE SAFETY DEFECT CONCERNS PURSUED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (9)

Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery

Electrical System

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Electrical System:wiring

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Engine And Engine Cooling

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:switch/wiring