NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
23 reportsClear category filter104,042 miles · Aug 3, 2005
Air BagsPower TrainSteeringCrashFireInjury
I WAS HEADING NORTH ON THE HIGHWAY AND I CHANGED LANES FROM THE LEFT TO THE RIGHT LANE. ONCE I CHANGED LANES MY CAR JERKED VICIOUSLY BACK TO THE LEFT I CORRECTED THE PROBLEM AND WENT BACK TO THE RIGHT, BUT THE CAR RAN OFF THE ROAD AND LOST THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL AND TIRE. THE TIRE WAS STILL INTACT WITH THE HUB AND AXLE (LUG …
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I WAS HEADING NORTH ON THE HIGHWAY AND I CHANGED LANES FROM THE LEFT TO THE RIGHT LANE. ONCE I CHANGED LANES MY CAR JERKED VICIOUSLY BACK TO THE LEFT I CORRECTED THE PROBLEM AND WENT BACK TO THE RIGHT, BUT THE CAR RAN OFF THE ROAD AND LOST THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL AND TIRE. THE TIRE WAS STILL INTACT WITH THE HUB AND AXLE (LUG NUTS WERE STILL CONNECTED ALL OF THEM WERE TIGHT.) THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED. I BELIEVE I WRECKED BECAUSE MY REAR AXLE BROKE. AND FURTHER MORE MY AIR BAGS MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THEY DID NOT DEPLOY ON IMPACT. THEY HAD DEPLOYED WHEN THE TOW TRUCKS BROUGHT THE CAR OUT OF THE HOLE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10131475
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2001
Power Train
TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS NUMEROUS TIMES. OIL LEAK HAS OCCURRED AT REAR SEAL NOW. CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASE.
NHTSA ODI #746722
Mileage unknown · May 9, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
CIRCUIT BREAKER SHORTED OUT. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES CLUTCH WAS REPLACED, CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS BAD, DIFFERENTIAL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND A/C IS NOT WORKING NEEDS A COMPRESSOR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #887834
Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
ON THE ENGINE THERE IS A LEAK ON THE BACK DRIVER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. REPLACED CAM SEAL, LEAK IS STILL PRESENT,CRUISE CONTROL SURGES WHEN USING.DRIVER WINDOW RATTLES WHEN ROLLED DOWN BETWEEN HALF AND ALL THE WAY DOWN. BEARING IN FRONT PUMP OF TRANSMISSION WENT OUT,CAUSED THE TORQUE CONVERTOR TO GO OUT. REPLACED BOTH, AND THEN TRA…
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ON THE ENGINE THERE IS A LEAK ON THE BACK DRIVER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. REPLACED CAM SEAL, LEAK IS STILL PRESENT,CRUISE CONTROL SURGES WHEN USING.DRIVER WINDOW RATTLES WHEN ROLLED DOWN BETWEEN HALF AND ALL THE WAY DOWN. BEARING IN FRONT PUMP OF TRANSMISSION WENT OUT,CAUSED THE TORQUE CONVERTOR TO GO OUT. REPLACED BOTH, AND THEN TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING,REPLACED TRANSMISSION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #716072
Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 1999
Power Train
UNABLE TO DEPRESS SHIFT LEVER BUTTON WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD. BUTTON DOES WORK WHEN VEHICLE IS WARM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #716046
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 1999
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND APPLYING BRAKES A LOW TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON, AND THERE ARE NO BRAKES. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. WAS TOLD THAT SENSOR NEEDED TO REPLACE ON THE HUBS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #853167
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 1999
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS SYSTEM DOES NOT ALWAYS COME ON WHEN STARTING THE CAR. WHEN IT IS ON IT OFTEN MALFUNCTIONS. WHEN BRAKING, JUST BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE BRAKES LOCK UP THEN QUICKLY RELEASE, AND THE LOW TRACKING LIGHT COMES ON. *AK
NHTSA ODI #714090
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 1999
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THE LOW TRACTION LIGHT ILLUMINATES, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE THREE TIMES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #844021
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
THE REAR AXEL SEAL IS LEAKING AGAIN, THE TRIM GLUE IS MELTING ON ALL THE WINDOWS,THE FUEL PUMP OR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IS OCCURING AGAIN AND THE CAR BUCKS AND JERKS WITH ACCELERATION,THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT HAVE A GLUE THAT HOLDS UP IN HOT WHEATHER. ALSO THE SUN VISOR STRAPS MELTED AND STRETCHED. VIN# NOT …
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THE REAR AXEL SEAL IS LEAKING AGAIN, THE TRIM GLUE IS MELTING ON ALL THE WINDOWS,THE FUEL PUMP OR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IS OCCURING AGAIN AND THE CAR BUCKS AND JERKS WITH ACCELERATION,THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT HAVE A GLUE THAT HOLDS UP IN HOT WHEATHER. ALSO THE SUN VISOR STRAPS MELTED AND STRETCHED. VIN# NOT WITH ME AT THIS TIME
NHTSA ODI #710923
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 1999
Power Train
WHEN I PUSH IN THE CLUTCH TO CHANGE GEARS, IT VIBRATES AND MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED OUT BY A MECHANIC AT SATURN AND HE SAYS IT IS THE THROW OUT BEARING. ANOTHER MECHANIC AT FIRESTONE SAYS THE SAME THING, AND THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE GOING OUT THAT EARLY. IT IS CONSTANTLY GETTING WORSE AND I AM FRUSTRATED THAT…
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WHEN I PUSH IN THE CLUTCH TO CHANGE GEARS, IT VIBRATES AND MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED OUT BY A MECHANIC AT SATURN AND HE SAYS IT IS THE THROW OUT BEARING. ANOTHER MECHANIC AT FIRESTONE SAYS THE SAME THING, AND THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE GOING OUT THAT EARLY. IT IS CONSTANTLY GETTING WORSE AND I AM FRUSTRATED THAT IT IS BAD.
NHTSA ODI #705546
NHTSA investigations
2EA97024 · Fuel Tube Retaining Clip Failure
Opened Nov 13, 1997 · Closed Sep 29, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
MOST OF THE REPORTS REVIEWED IN THIS INVESTIGATION ARE FIRE INCIDENTS IN WHICH FUEL LEAKAGE HAS BEEN ALLEGED AS THE CAUSE OR THE AREA OF ORIGIN IS CONSISTENT WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE SUBJECT CLIP WAS A FACTOR IN ANY OF THESE FIRE INCIDENTS AND NHTSA TESTING INDICATES THATBROKEN OR DISLODGED RETENTION CLIP DOES NOT RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT MOVEMENT OF THE FUEL LINE BUNDLE TOWARD THE LEFT SECONDARY AIR INJECTION CHECK VALVE.FAILURE OF THE CLIP PLACES THE FUEL LINE BUNDLE ASSEMBLY IN THE SAME CONFIGURATION AS THE 1993 MODEL YEAR LTI VEHICLES.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
PE97036 · Fuel Tub Retaining Clip Failure
Opened Jul 24, 1997 · Closed Nov 13, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
OWNERS HAVE REPORTED FAILURES OF THE FUEL TUBE RETENTION CLIP THAT ATTACHES TO THE PLASTIC THROTTLE LINKAGE COVER.ACCORDING TO GM, THE SUBJECT RETENTION CLIP (P/N 12048089) WAS IMPLEMENTED IN PRODUCTION ON OCTOBER 12, 1993, TO ADDRESS A CONCERN WITH INCORRECT ASSEMBLY PLANT FUEL LINE ROUTING.MIS-ROUTED FUEL TUBES MAY FAIL FROM CONTACT WITH A HOT AIR CHECK VALVE, CREATING A FIRE HAZARD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.GM MAINTAINS THAT NO PROBLEMS SHOULD OCCUR IF THE CLIP IS PROPERLY INSTALLED AND ISN'T MISHANDLED DURING SUBSEQUENT SERVICE OPERATIONS.SOME OWNERS HAVE ALLEGED TO ODI THAT THE SUBJECT CLIP BECOMES BRITTLE OVER TIME AND MAY ALSO PULL FREE OF THE THROTTLE LINKAGE COVER ATTACHMENT HOLE.
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