Power Train. Review the 184 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 76 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports7 fire reports11 injury reports

Steering complaints

76 reports

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Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2014

Steering

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IN 2010 I REPORTED A NOISE IN THE STEERING. GMC DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING ROD NEEDED REPLACED. THEY WORKED ON THE VEHICLE AND WHEN DRIVING AWAY THE STEERING STILL HAD THE SAME NOISE. OBVIOUSLY THIS WAS NOT THE STEERING ROD CAUSING THE ISSUE. I REPORTED THIS ISSUE AGAIN AND THEY DETERMINE THAT THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING FLUID. THEY ADDED FLUID AND IT TEMPORARILY CAUSED THE NOISE TO GO AWAY. THERE HAS BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH TWO SEPARATE GMC DEALERSHIPS OVER THE YEARS. FINALLY NOW THAT MY ACADIA HAS 55,000 MILES THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THE NOISE IS THE STEERING COLUMN AND IS WANTING TO CHARGE ME $1450 TO FIX IT. THIS WAS UNDER WARRANTY WHEN THE PROBLEM CAME UP AND I FEEL IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BY GMC MANUFACTURER SINCE THIS WAS AN ISSUE EARLY ON WITH THIS VEHICLE. GMC IS ALSO HAVING ISSUE WITH STEERING COLUMN IN 2009 -2012 GMC AUTOMOBILES SO THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10583964

92,900 miles · Apr 9, 2014

Steering

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WHILE ROUNDING A HIGHWAY OFF RAMP, POWER STEERING GOT EXTREMELY STIFF. THERE WERE NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE SYSTEM PRIOR. I GOT HOME, CHECKED THE FLUID, AND IT WAS FULL. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO MY LOCAL GMC DEALER TO DISCUSS PROBLEM AND REPAIRS. THE SERVICE WRITER STATED "WE KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING SYSTEMS ON THESE VEHICLES, AND THEY TYPICALLY FAIL IN THE 70 TO 90 THOUSAND MILE RANGE." THEN THEY WANTED $2000 FOR REPAIRS. REPAIRS WHICH ARE GETTING DONE CHEAPER AT MY LOCAL GARAGE. MY PROBLEM WITH THIS, IS THAT GM KNOWS THERE IS A SAFETY DEFECT WITH THIS VEHICLE, BUT HAS DONE NOTHING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, OTHER THAN MAKE PEOPLE FEEL THAT THEY HAVE TO SPEND HUGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY TO FIX. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THIS IS THE SAME ACTION THE COMPANY TOOK IN THE IGNITION ISSUE THEY ARE CURRENTLY GOING THROUGH. YES, I AM ANGRY AT GM FOR NOT BACKING THEIR PRODUCT, BUT THAT IS NOT WHY I AM WRITING TO YOU. I AM WRITING TO YOU, BECAUSE I AM A FIRST RESPONDER, AND SEE FIRST HAND WHAT CAN HAPPENS WITH SAFETY ISSUES TO VEHICLES. WHAT IF THIS ISSUE HAPPENED TO SOMEONE WHO KNOWS LITTLE ABOUT CARS, OTHER THAN HOW TO FUEL AND DRIVE THEM SAFELY? WHAT IF IT WAS A FAMILY AND THEIR CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND THEY DID HAVE AN ACCIDENT? I UNDERSTAND ALL HYPOTHETICALS, BUT A SAFETY ISSUE NONE THE LESS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578465

65,000 miles · Apr 7, 2014

Steering

POWER STEERING DOES NOT FUNCTION AT ALL IN LOW SPEEDS OR WARM WEATHER. POWER STEERING FLUID CHANGED BY DEALER TO TRANSMISSION FLUID IN 2013 PER DEALER BULLETIN AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578041

70,000 miles · Mar 10, 2014

EnginePower TrainSteering

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I WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE, GOING DOWN HILL ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. MID-WAY DOWN A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE COMPUTER SAYING "ENGINE FAILURE, POWER OFF" AND THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN WITH OUT WARNING. NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED ON THE GAS THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF. THE STEERING WENT OUT AS WELL AND I HAD TO STAND IN THE SEAT TO USE ALL MY POWER TO TURN THE WHEEL. PREVIOUS TO THIS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD NOT BEEN ON, NO ADVANCE WARNING OF THIS. I HAD BOTH OF MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. LUCKILY THERE WAS A BP GAS STATION WITH GARAGE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL, I WAS ABLE TO COAST THE CAR INTO THE GAS STATION WHERE THEY RAN DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRED MY CAR AND RESET THE SENSORS. NINE MONTHS LATER I WAS DRIVING WITH BOTH OF MY CHILDREN AGAIN, IN NORTH EAST WASHINGTON DC WHEN OUT OF NO WHERE THE SAME MESSAGE APPEARED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE ENGINE ONE TIME. I TURNED AROUND TO GO HOME AND ON THE DRIVE HOME THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON A LESS OF AN INCLINE OF A HILL. THE CAR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY TOWARDS THE TOP OF THE HILL GOING DOWN. SAME AS BEFORE, NO GAS AND NO STEERING ABILITY. I WAS TOO SCARED TO LEAVE THE CAR ON THE SIDE AS CARS COMING OVER THE HILL WOULD NOT HAVE TIME TO STOP BEFORE HITTING US. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TRIED TO GLIDE DOWN THE HILL TO THE SHELL STATION. THE CAR CUT OUT COMPLETELY AND LOST ALL MOMENTUM SO I HAD TO PUSH THE CAR INTO THE GAS STATION AND WAIT 3 HOURS FOR THE TOW TRUCK TO ARRIVE. IT WENT BACK TO THE BP STATION FROM FEBRUARY AND HAD A NEW BATTERY AND SEVERAL OTHER ITEMS REPLACED. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN 2007 AND HAVE HAD COUNTLESS BREAKDOWNS AND REPLACEMENTS- TWO TRANSMISSIONS WITHIN THE FIRST 3 YEARS AND REPAIRS. I KEEP UP WITH CAR MAINTENANCE REGULARLY AND DO NO NEGLECT ANYTHING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568162

39,400 miles · Jan 15, 2014

Service BrakesSteeringVehicle Speed Control

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THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS. DRIVING 65MPH ON FREEWAY WHEN EVERY SERVICE AND WARNING LIGHT WENT ON. REPLACED ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND REPLACE IPC, COULD HAVE KILLED US AND OTHERS. ALSO ENGINE WAS REMOVED TO REPAIR ENGINE FRONT COVER LEAK AT 39,000, NOW AT 85,000 SAME LEAK REPAIR IS REQUIRED AT COST OF $2926. THAT MEANS EVERY 40,000 MILES YOU NEED TO SPEND $3000 AND HAVE ENGINE REMOVED. POWER STEERING ALWAYS MADE WHINING NOISE WHICH I WAS TOLD IS NORMAL. AT 85,000 WAS TOLD STEERING RACK AND PINION GEARS NEED REPLACEMENT AND I AM SURE THE PUMP NEEDS REPLACEMENT AS WELL $2000. WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY COULD NOT STOP ON EXIT WITHOUT BRAKE PEDAL BEING PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR, STABILTRAK LIGHT ON COULD HAVE KILLED US OR SOMEONE. HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING AFTER ENGINE WAS PUT BACK IN FROM 1ST REPAIR OF FRONT COVER ENGINE SEAL. TIMING CHAIN HAS STRETCH YOU CAN HEAR IT, BUT THEY ONLY ADDED THRUST WASHERS. REAR LIFTGATE - WHILE LOADING GROCERIES LIFT GATE FREE FELL CLOSED ON DAUGHTERS HEAD. WAS TOLD REAR LIFT GATE SHOCKS FAILED. COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE. THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP. DON'T BUY IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560062

82,382 miles · Sep 7, 2013

Steering

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING LOCK UP . MY WIFE ALMOST GOT INTO A ACCIDENT THIS HAPPEN TWICE IT ALSO HAPPEN TO ME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY COULD NOT PIN POINT THE PROBLEM THEY GAVE ME A PAPER ABOUT INTERMITTENT STIFF STEERING I TOLD THEM THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WE JUST BOUGHT THE TRUCK A YEAR AGO FOR 20.000 DOLLARS …

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NHTSA ODI #10542435

58,000 miles · Aug 21, 2013

EnginePower TrainSteering

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THE FIRST ISSUE WAS THE WATER PUMP, REPLACED IT AND 2 MONTHS LATER OUT WENT THE POWER STEERING PUMP. AT THAT TIME OF REPLACING THE POWER STEERING PUMP THE DEALERSHIP ALSO REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION AND TIMING CHAIN. NOW, IT'S THE TRANSMISSION. GOING ROUNDS WITH GM TO GET THEM TO TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE IN ITS ENTIRETY. THIS VEHICLE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE 63K MILES ON IT! THIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE IN EVERY WHICH WAY. I'M WORRIED ABOUT WHAT WILL GO OUT NEXT. I WAS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING RELIABLE AND SAFE AND THIS ACADIA HAS BEEN EVERYTHING BUT THAT. I HAVE SEVERAL FRIENDS THAT ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES. LET THE GAME BEGIN. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE THAT I FEEL IS SO UNSAFE AND UNRELIABLE. I AM A HARD WORKING WOMAN WHO DROVE THE SAME CAR FOR 13 YEARS AND HAD NONE OF THE ISSUES THAT I AM HAVING WITH THIS ACADIA THAT I PAID TWICE AS MUCH FOR! SO, TO ANYONE WANTING TO PURCHASE AN ACADIA, DO RECONSIDER, EVEN AS DEPENDABLE AS YOU FEEL YOUR DEALERSHIP MAY BE...IT WILL BE A LEMON IN THE LONG RUN. BE PREPARED TO GET YOUR GLOVES ON IN THE RING WITH GMC AS I'M CURRENTLY DOING...AS I'M DRIVING A DEALERSHIP LOANER, FOR 2 DAYS NOW...GOOD LUCK! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10536589

57,327 miles · Aug 2, 2013

Power TrainSteeringSuspension

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WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE WHINE IN THE STEERING. I ASKED THE SALESMAN AND HE SAID THAT NOISE WAS TYPICAL WITH ACADIA'S AND THERE WAS NO ISSUE WITH THE CAR. WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AT A DIFFERENT DEALER RIGHT BEFORE WE LEFT ON VACATION, I WAS TOLD THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS GOING OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. DID THAT EVEN THOUGH WE WERE DELAYED GOING ON VACATION AND SUBSEQUENTLY HAD IT REPLACED TWO MORE TIMES AS WELL. ALSO HAVE HAD LEAKS IN THE SUNROOF THAT CONTINUE TO RETURN, AND HAVE NOW MESSED UP MY POWER WINDOW CONTROLS TO THE POINT THAT I CAN NOT CONTROL ANY OF THE OTHER WINDOWS FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT. HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, FRONT STRUTS, AND NOW THE SOLENOIDS ARE BEING REPLACED AS WELL. WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR IT HAD RIGHT AT 54K MILES ON IT AND I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, THAT COVERED MY POWER STEERING PUMP ISSUES, BUT I HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH THE REST. I WILL HAVE NOW PUT ALMOST $3K INTO REPAIRS THAT SEEM TO BE VERY TYPICAL WITH THIS CAR, BASED ON WHAT I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10533221

129,000 miles · Jul 18, 2013

Steering

WHILE MAKING A TURN DURING A RAIN STORM THE ENGINE BELT BEGAN TO SQUEAL AND I SUBSEQUENTLY LOST POWER STEERING AND THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT UNTIL THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK. I'VE HAD THIS HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES DURING RAIN EVENTS SINCE I'VE OWNED …

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NHTSA ODI #10525514

70,000 miles · May 28, 2013

Electrical SystemSteering

THE VEHICLE HAS TWO PROBLEMS. THE RADIO WORKS, BUT THERE IS NO SOUND FOR THE BACK UP WARNING, TURN SIGNALS OR RADIO. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS IN THE GMC ACADIA, CHEVROLET TRAVERSE AND THE BUICK ENCLAVE. THE PROBLEM IS LIKELY THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE BCM OR THE AMP. WHEN DRIVEN IN THE RAIN, THE POWER STEERING FAILS MOMENTARIL…

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NHTSA ODI #10513896

Official recalls

15V415000 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate

Jun 30, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured January 3, 2007, to February 29, 2012, 2009-2012 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured July 6, 2008, to March 9, 2012, 2007-2012 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured September 15, 2006, to February 29, 2012, and 2007-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured August 17, 2006, to March 18, 2010. The affected vehicles, equipped with the power liftgate option, have gas struts that hold the power liftgate up when open. These struts may prematurely wear and the open liftgate may suddenly fall.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the open liftgate unexpectedly falls, it may strike a person, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the power liftgate actuator motor control unit so that the motor will prevent the rapid closing of the lift gate, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 15240.

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> .

08V410000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages

Aug 14, 2008

GM IS RECALLING 88,809 MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE, AND MY 2007-2008 GMC ACADIA AND SATURN OUTLOOK VEHICLES CURRENTLY OR PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, WYOMING, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IF A BUILDUP OF SNOW OR ICE ON THE WINDSHIELD OR ON THE WIPERS RESTRICTS THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIPER ARM, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE MOTOR SHAFT AND THE WIPERS MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIPER CRANK ARM, DRIVER'S SIDE LINK, AND A CRANK ARM NUT. THE RECALL BEGAN O OCTOBER 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

07V062000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Feb 21, 2007

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM), WHICH CONTROLS THE FUNCTION OF FRONT AIR BAGS, MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT AIR BAGS MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH. ALSO, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MAY FAIL TO PROVIDE WARNING THAT THE SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THIS CONDITION COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO OCCUPANTS IN THE FRONT SEAT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SDM COMPUTER MODULE. THIS RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GMC AT 1-866-966-9463 OR SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

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

DP12003 · Loss Of Headlamp Illumination

Opened Jun 4, 2012 · Closed Jul 24, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights

As of July 16, 2014, out of a population of 248,453 subject vehicles, NHTSA received 473 consumer complaints of inoperative head lamp. Many of these complaints indicated that the head lamp harness suffered damage from overheating. After reviewing the complaints, ODI found: -69% (328) alleged that a single head lamp was inoperative. -18% (86) alleged that both head lamps were inoperative but not at the same time. -9% (41) alleged that both head lamps were inoperative but the complaints did not indicate whether the failures had occurred at the same time. -4% (17) alleged that both head lamps were inoperative at the same time. -One additional complaint cited wire harness damage to both sides but did not specify an outage -No crashes or loss of vehicle control were reported. -Any alleged thermal damages were limited to melting of the head lamp harness and the head lamp housing. -A head lamp would intermittently fail to come on or flickers before becoming completely inoperative. For the seventeen complaints that alleged simultaneous failure of both head lamps while attempting to turn them on or while driving, the head lamp failures likely had occurred one at a time. The subject vehicle's head lamps are connected in a parallel circuit and each circuit is fused. Therefore, failure of one head lamp or its harness should not affect the other head lamp operation. Over the last 25 years, ODI has opened numerous defect investigations of the loss of headlamp illumination.Investigations that resulted in safety recalls involved simultaneous loss of illumination from both headlamps. NHTSA does not consider the loss of a single headlamp as presenting an unreasonable safety risk-such failures are readily detectable by the driver while allowing the vehicle to retain forward visibility and conspicuity from the remaining headlamp.There is typically enough time between the failure of the first headlamp and the second during which the vehicle operator can obtain the needed repairs. Based on the information currently available, NHTSA does not believe that the headlamp condition as alleged by the petitioner indicates the likelihood of a safety-related defect that would warrant a formal investigation.Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is denied.Further specifics can be found in the Federal Register Notice ODI complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

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