Power Train. Review the 279 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 153 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 150 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports13 fire reports24 injury reports

Power Train complaints

279 reports

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124,000 miles · Dec 22, 2017

Power Train

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC ACADIA. WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE, AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE 18 MONTHS AGO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TODD WENZEL BUICK GMC (614 N STATE RD, DAVISON, MI 48423) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 1-800-462-8782 AND DID NOT ASSIST. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

NHTSA ODI #11056081

Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2017

Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

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I PURCHASED A USED 2008 GMC ACADIA IN MAY 2017 EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER IS A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL AND I KNEW THAT WE WOULD BE NEEDING IT TO TRAVEL FROM STATE TO STATE FOR COLLEGE TOURS. EVERY SINCE I PURCHASED WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TRAVEL BECAUSE OF THE CONTINUOUS LIGHT TO COME ON, CONTINUOUS CODES THAT COMES ON AND IT CAUSES THE CAR TO RUN HORRIBLY I AM SPENDING $20-$30 A DAY ON GAS AND I'M ALSO NOTICING THAT THE OIL IS JUST EVAPORATING BUT I'M NOT SEEING IT ON THE GROUND I CONTINUE TO TAKE IT TO THE MECHANIC HE CONTINUE TO FIX THINGS THAT THE CODES GIVES HIM. I'M STILL SPENDING MONEY AND I'M STILL NOT GETTING ANY RESULTS I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TRAVEL IN THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE I REFUSE TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY CHILD AND BREAKDOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS START A PETITION WITH GMC BECAUSE IF EVERYONE IS HAVING THESE PROBLEMS THEN IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM I AM TO THE POINT WHERE I AM READY TO START A LAWSUIT. I MEAN LET'S BE HONEST WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR EITHER US OR ONE OF OUR LOVED ONES TO DIE AND IS KNOWN DEATH TRAP. THERE ARE SO MANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE THAT ALL OF THEM SHOULD BE JUST CALLED IN AND REPAIRED APPARENTLY IT'S A PROBLEM WITH GMC ASSEMBLING THE VEHICLE AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO OWN UP TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AND IT'S NOT FAIR TO US THAT I LIVES ARE AT STAKE.

NHTSA ODI #11055767

100,000 miles · Oct 18, 2017

EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I AM BEING TOLD...NO WARNING SIGNS! STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND WENT TO ACCELERATE AND ACADIA WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 25 MPH! NOW I AM BEING TOLD I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT 95000 MILES GMC IS A JOKE! WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER ONE!

NHTSA ODI #11034300

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2017

Power Train

CITIZEN PETITION - 2008 GMC ACADIA, TIMING CHAIN AND 3RD/5TH REVERSE CLUTCH WAVE PLATE DEFECT *CW THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE THE VEHICLE TO BE INCLUDED IN A RECALL. UPDATED 09/21/2017*JS

NHTSA ODI #11013248

80,000 miles · Jul 19, 2017

Power Train

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I BOUGHT THE GMC ACADIA USED IN 2014. IT HAD ABOUT 80K MILES ON IT, FROM A DEALERSHIP. THEY ASSURED ME IT HAS BEEN INSPECTED AND I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITH MY 5 CHILDREN IN THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY. I'M A SPECIAL ED TEACHER AND DRIVE ONLY 5 MILES FROM MY HOME AND OCCASIONALLY TO LOS ANGELES TO VISIT RELATIVES. AFTER 3 WEEKS OF HAVING THE CAR, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. I WAS HORRIFIED!!! THE WARRANTY COVERED THE MAJORITY OF THE PARTS. BUT THEY CHARGED ALMOST $4000 FOR A TRANSMISSION THAT THEY TOLD ME WOULD BE NEW, I FOUND OUT LATER THAT IT WAS REBUILT WITH NEW PARTS. FAST FORWARD TO 3 YEARS LATER, THE WATER PUMP, THE FUEL PUMP, THE AXLE AND THE TRANSMISSION AND COMPUTER HAS WENT OUT AGAIN. ANOTHER ALMOST $4000, THIS TIME IT HAS TO COME OUT OF MY POCKET AS THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. IT IS BLEEDING ME DRY. I HAVE THE CAR SERVICED REGULARLY AND KEEP ALL OF MY SERVICE RECORDS, THIS MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE. AS A PARENT OF 5 CHILDREN, (2 SPECIAL NEEDS), I WAS EXCITED ABOUT MY PURCHASE, NOW I WISH I WOULD'VE NEVER DONE IT. --

NHTSA ODI #11006371

160,000 miles · Jul 7, 2017

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

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WHAT'S NOT WRONG WITH THIS CAR?? I BOUGHT IT USED WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. AFTER A YEAR EVERYTHING WENT DOWNHILL. IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT THE GMC SERVICE AT LEASE 3 TIMES A YEAR. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON BUT IT ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE AIRBAG RECALL. WHAT ABOUT SAFETY? THERE HAS BEEN A CHECK STABILITY TRAC AND TRACTION LIGHTS ON AS WELL ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. WHEN THOSE LIGHTS COME ON THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WHILE DRIVING ACROSS THE KENTUCKY BRIDGE WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A 12 CAR PILE UP. IN ADDITION, IT ALSO SKIPS GEARS. WHEN TRYING TO SPEED UP IT JERKS INTO THE NEXT GEAR LIKE A HICCUP. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THESE PROBLEMS WERE ELECTRIC AND WEAR COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. I SUGGESTED THAT MAYBE THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD. HOWEVER, THEY STATED OTHERWISE. LITERALLY, 4 MONTHS LATER THE TRANSMISSION IS OUT. BUT WHAT A SURPRISE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. NOW I'M LOOKING AT A $5,000 BILL. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT IT IS TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO AN ELECTRIC ISSUE (OUT OF MY CONTROL). THERE IS NOTHING THAT I COULD HAVE DONE TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING. BUT AFTER TALKING TO GM THEY, BASICALLY EXPLAINED THAT THEY DON'T STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT AFTER 100,000 AND THAT THEY CAN'T PROVE THAT THE ISSUES ARE ACTUALLY MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. I STRONGLY DISAGREE AS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME HARDSHIPS AS ME WITH THE 2008 VEHICLE. ON [XXX], FOR GMC ACADIA, 2008 IS THE WORST YEAR WITH THE MOST COMPLAINTS FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. HOW AREN'T THESE ALREADY RECALLED BY NOW? THEY ARE NOTHING BUT JUNK! NOT WORK ANYTHING. EVEN A GMC SERVICE REP. SAID THESE WERE THE WORSE YEAR AND GET THEM IN THE SHOP ALL THE TIME. WHY WON'T GMC JUST ISSSUE A RECALL AND TAKE THEM OFF THE MARKET. I HAVE ALL THE PROOF OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE RECEIPTS. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11003705

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2017

Power Train

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 GMC ACADIA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT CORRECTLY AND A KNOCKING/GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY TRANSMISSION FAILURES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WAVE PLATE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. FIVE DAYS LATER, THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION WAVE PLATE. TWO YEARS LATER, THE WAVE PLATE FAILED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE, THIRD GEAR, AND FIFTH GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THE CLAIM, STATING THAT THE CONTACT EXCEEDED THE VEHICLE/AGE STIPULATIONS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR/REIMBURSEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL, BUT THE DETAILS WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10979604

135,250 miles · Apr 20, 2017

EnginePower Train

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HAPPENED 2X ALREADY. VEHICLE IS IN MOTION HIGH RATE OF SPEED 55 TO 75 MPH, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND VEHICLE STARTS TO SLOW DOWN DRASTICALLY ON ITS OWN. EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF LOOSING ALL POWER AND POWER STEERING. HAPPENED ONCE ON HIGHWAY AND ONCE ON A MAJOR BUSY ROAD. IF YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE THERE IS NO POWER. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. ONCE I COULD NOT EVEN TELL THE ENGINE STOPPED BECAUSE THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS STILL WORKED. PULLED OVER, WAIT 10 TO 15 MINUTES AND THEN TRY TO START VEHICLE. IT WILL START AND EVERYTHING SEEMS NORMAL AGAIN. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED I HAD MY 3 KIDS IN CAR. NOT SAFE AT ALL. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE. SAID IT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #10979601

116,000 miles · Mar 31, 2017

Power TrainSteeringVehicle Speed Control

WATER PUMP FAILED IN THE FREEWAY PREMATURELY, BRAKE CYLINDER FAILED PREMATURELY, STEERING, RACK AND PINION AND POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED @116K, TRANSMISSION FAILED @ 116.NO MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION WITH 3 KIDS.

NHTSA ODI #10969665

143,000 miles · Mar 21, 2017

EnginePower Train

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APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS AGO, MY 2008 GMC ACADIA WAS SERVICED AT 140,000 MILES FOR WORN OUT TIMING CHAINS. NOW, I AM LOOKING AT PROBLEMS WITH MY TRANSMISSION. HOW CONVENIENT. WITHIN THREE WEEKS THIS VEHICLE HAS FAILED ON ME. THE TIMING CHAINS WERE RATTLING IN TURNS WHEN IT WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED. I ACTUALLY VISITED AND LEFT THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED, SO I WAS RIDING AROUND WITH A FAULTY PART IN MY ENGINE. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AFTER I HAD EXITED THE INTERSTATE AT WHICH POINT I COULD NOT ACCELERATE MORE THAN 10 MPH. GOOD THING I WAS NOT ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN IT DECIDED TO STALL OUT ON ME AS I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW DISASTROUS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN. THE 2007 AND 2009 GMC MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR TIMING CHAIN ISSUES, NEVER THE 2008 MODEL. THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE 3-5-R WAVE PLATE, WHICH HAD A 20,000 MILE EXTENSION FROM GM TO COVER THE REPAIR IF THIS BROKE, WHICH OF COURSE I AM OUT OF, THUS THE REPAIR COSTS FOR BOTH DEFECTS ARE MY PROBLEM. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THEY WILL NOT BACK THEIR PRODUCTS KNOWING THAT THEY ARE FAULTY. GM NEEDS TO STEP UP AND MAN UP TO THE FACT THEY HAVE INFERIOR PRODUCTS INSIDE THESE ENGINES AND TRANSMISSIONS.

NHTSA ODI #10967548

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.

14V118000 · Air Bags:side/window

Mar 17, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and 2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse and 2008-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the driver and passenger seat mounted side impact air bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may result in the SIAB and seat belt pretensioners not deploying in the event of a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Failure of the side impact air bags and seat belt pretensioners to deploy in a crash increase the risk of injury to the driver and front seat occupant.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2014. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14030. Note: Vehicles repaired as part of Customer Satisfaction Campaign 10085 and special coverage 10335 have already had the subject condition repaired and therefore are not included in the safety recall.

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> .

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