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

Suspension complaints

16 reports

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7,572 miles · Jun 17, 2022

Suspension

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The contact owns a 2008 GMC Acadia. The vehicle had previously been serviced at the dealer under NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V118000 (Air Bags) and 15V415000 (Structure) however, after the recall repairs were performed, the rear springs fractured. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he noticed that a section of the rear spring was on the ground. After inspecting underneath the vehicle, he noticed that the rear springs were fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer informed the contact that the rear springs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 7,572.

NHTSA ODI #11469792

Mileage unknown · May 27, 2021

Air BagsSuspensionUnknown Or Other

The service stability track warning will come on while driving. It will then make the SUV shut off. This is really terrifying since it happens while driving. After the SUV shuts off, you have to wait a couple minutes before you're able to restart. The last two months, the service airbag warning will come up on the screen out o…

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NHTSA ODI #11418753

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2019

Exterior LightingSteeringSuspension

THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT I HAVE MADE HAS STILL HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING. THIS IS SAD THAT IT HAS NOT BEEN DEALT WITH. I HOPE MY FAMILY IS NOT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11186045

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2018

Power TrainSteeringSuspension

WORST VEHICLE EVER.

NHTSA ODI #11123477

101,250 miles · Jun 26, 2016

Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringSuspension

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I NOTICED THAT WHEN DRIVING ON AN EXPRESSWAY AND WOULD ATTEMPT TO PASS A SLOWER MOVING VEHICLE, AS I WOULD MOVE INTO THE PASSING LANE AND ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR WOULD HESITATE FOR A FEW SECONDS, LOSE SPEED, THEN SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFT AND ACCELERATE AT AN UNEXPECTED RATE. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE CAR WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATE OR DECELERATE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, THEY RESPONDED THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG, BUT THE WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING WAS CHARACTERISTIC OF THE 6-SPEED TRANSMISSION ON THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND I FOUND IT DANGEROUS. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE AND THE DEALER'S REMEDY WAS TO "RESET THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER." DURING THIS TIME, I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE "SERVICE STABILITRAC AND TRACTION CONTROL" WARNING WOULD COME ON. IT DOSEN'T MATTER IF YOUR DRIVING OR IDLE OR IN PARK THESE WARNINGS AND PROBLEMS STILL EXIST.THE DEALER FIXED ONE WHEEL SENSOR BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. THE SERVICE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS STILL COMES ON THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT I HAD IT FIXED BUT WARNING STILL COMES ON. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD SO MANY RECALLS AUTOMATIC LIFT GATE, AIR BAG WARNINGS, POWER STEERING PUMP AND HOSE. THE RACK & PINION WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED IN THE VEHICLES SHORT LIFE SPAN, ALL OF THE SUSPENSION PARTS BUSHINGS WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT SOME POINT SO THIS MEANS CONTROL ARM, SWAY BAR SWAY, SWAY BAR LINKS TOE LINKS OF COURSE WITH THESE ISSUES YOU WILL HAVE TO REPLACE STRUTS AND SHOCKS, ETC...HOW CAN GOVERNMENT/GENERAL MOTORS SELL A VEHICLE THIS EXPENSIVE AND HAVE SO MANY PROBLEMS THESE VEHICLES ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT.MY 08 GMC ACADIA IS PURE GARBAGE SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BECAUSE THESE VEHICLES HAVE MAJOR MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES, RECALLS AND ARE UNSAFE TO BE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI #10876670

80,000 miles · Dec 8, 2015

Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringSuspension

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RECEIVED NOTICE FROM GM RE POWER STEERING, DO NOT TAKE TO VEHICLE FOR SERVICE UNLESS PROBLEM IS KNOWN. I TOOK VEHICLE FOR TIRE ROTATION AND MECHANIC NOTICED POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING, CAUSED DAMAGE TO RACK, PINION, ETC. (ESTIMATE ATTACHED). CALLED GM DEALER AND GM CUST SERVICE, WILL ONLY COVER DEFECTIVE POWER STEERING PUMP NOT THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE PUMP. SINCE GM ADVISED NOT TO GET FIXED UNTIL ISSUE OCCURS (I STILL HAVE POWER STEERING, WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE UNTIL TIRES WERE ROTATED) WHY SHOULD I BE LIABLE FOR THE ADDITIONAL DAMAGE CAUSED? ALSO, THIS MORNING 12/08/15, WHILE TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL, THE CAR BUCKLED AND STABILTRAK, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH A MESSAGE "POWER REDUCED", ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE 20-25 MILES. THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED APPX. A YEAR AGO AND I FILED A COMPLAINT. THE LIGHT GOES AND OFF JUST LIKE A YEAR AGO. AFTER READING SEVERAL BULLETINS FOR THE 2008 GMC ACADIA, ALL THE ABOVE ISSUES ARE A KNOWN ISSUE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR VEHICLE DEFECTS THAT ARE COMMON IN ALL OF THE VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #10808993

Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2015

SteeringSuspension

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RE: DISSATISFIED CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE FROM A LOYAL CUSTOMER. BEGINNING IN 2014, AFTER NARROWLY AVOIDING SERIOUS FROM THE COLLAPSE OF THE REAR LIFT GATE WHILE LOADING THE VEHICLE, SUFFERING MINOR SCRAPS AND BRUISING. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST GMC SERVICE CENTER AND RECEIVED A QUOTE FOR REPLACEMENT STRUTS. I LATER HAD THEM REPLACED IN 2015 AT MY OWN EXPENSE, ONLY MORE RECENTLY BECOMING AWARE THAT IT WAS DUE TO A PART FAILURE AND SUBJECT TO RECALL AND REPLACEMENT. OF WHICH I WILL FOLLOW UP WITH A REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST. FOLLOWING THAT INCIDENT MY STEERING COLUMN TIGHTENED DURING TURNS FORCING ME TO EXERT EXTREME PRESSURE IN SLOW SPEED TURNS, CREATING A HAZARD TO BOTH MYSELF AND OTHERS. AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE PERFORMING OF STATED REMEDIES PRESCRIBED BY THE GMC SERVICE MECHANIC, THE PROBLEM STILL PERSIST AND MORE RECENTLY IT BEING SUGGESTED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO SUSPENSION STRUTS AND POSSIBLY TRANSMISSION ISSUES SINCE THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT WAS ON WITH FOR CODES RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE WERE PRESENT. THROUGH MY OWN RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT ALL OF THESE ISSUES ARE RELATED TO EITHER RECALLED ITEMS OR ITEMS LISTED IN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS, YET NOW I'M BEING TOLD THAT MY COST WOULD BE $1900 FOR REPAIRS AND AN ADDITIONAL $1500 TO REPLACE A FAULTY NAVIGATION/ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM, DUE TO A SUCK DISC. COLLECTIVELY, I FIND THESE EVENTS, THE MECHANICAL FAILURES AND THE FACT THAT THE BURDEN FOR THESE FAILURES AND EVENTS ARE BEING PLACED ON THE CUSTOMER AS BEING ABSURD AND EGREGIOUS. I CHOOSE TO PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE TO SUPPORT AMERICAN COMPANIES SUCH AS YOURS AND DRIVE AMERICAN MADE VEHICLES OUT OF LOYALTY TO YOU, BUT IF THIS IS THE REWARD I RECEIVE FROM MY LOYALTY I THINK IT IS ABOUT TIME I BEGIN RETHINKING THINGS.

NHTSA ODI #10789798

81,199 miles · Jun 9, 2014

Air BagsSuspension

STARTED CAR AIR BAG LIGHT ON NOW IT WON'T GO OFF. GMC SAID MY 2008 IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. RT REAR SPRING ALSO BROKE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ALSO STAYS ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597256

80,000 miles · May 13, 2014

Electrical SystemPower TrainSuspension

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BOUGHT THIS LIFE ALTERING MESS OF A VEHICLE IN JUNE 2013 WITH 77K MILES. SINCE THAT TIME A WIDE SPECTRUM OF ISSUES HAVE AROSE AND COST ME FOR THAN JUST MONEY. WINDSHIELD WIPER QUIT WORKING AND NEEDED TO BE FIXED (I NOW SEE THAT WAS A RECALL) CONSTANT ELECTRIC ISSUES IN USING BEEPING, LIGHTING UP AT INAPPROPRIATE TIMES, NOT REGISTERING A GROWN ADULT IN PASSENGER SEAT. ALSO, LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. GM DID COVER THAT CHARGE WHICH WAS NO HELP WITH THE REAR END THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF NEARLY $3000. TRANSMISSION STILL (BEFORE LEAK "FIXED") AND AFTER WILL READ IDLE TRANSMISSION HOT AT MANY TIMES. LEAKING WATER WHEN WE RECEIVE HEAVY RAINS. LEAKING COMES FROM DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG "LABEL") I HAVE BEEN FINANCIALLY STRAPPED BECAUSE OF THIS VEHICLE I HAD WORKED AND SAVED SO HARD FOR JUST TRYING TO KEEP MY JOB! I NEED MY VEHICLE TO WORK AND MY LIFE IS AT RISK WHEN I'M FORCED TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL BECAUSE OF THESE ISSUES THAT GM IS AWARE OF. WITH THE MONEY I'VE SPENT (I'M A SINGLE WORKING MOTHER WITH TWO YOUNG SONS) BECAUSE OF GM TURNING A BLIND EYE I AM IN DIRE NEED OF THE PROPER RESOLUTION TO THIS YEAR LONG DEVASTATION OF PREVENTABLE EVENTS. PLEASE ASSIST ME IN THIS FORE I'M UNABLE TO GO FURTHER WITH CONTINUING TO FIX PROBLEMS THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING WITH THE SAME VEHICLE. THANK YOU. IN 2011 MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF LOST OUR HOME TO A DEVASTATING FLOOD THAT ROCKED OUR CITY AND AS OF FEB 2014 WE WERE FINALLY ABLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE CAMPER AND GET A HOME. I CANNOT PREVENT A FLOOD AND ALL THE PAIN IT CAUSED MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN BUT I WILL NOT CEASE TO FIGHT FOR WHAT IT RIGHT. THAT IS REPLACING MY VEHICLE WITH EQUAL, RELIABLE SAFE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY! AFTER ALL, THIS WAS COMPLETELY PREVENTABLE AND SHOULD'VE BEEN FIXED BEFORE NOW. PLEASE HELP ME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10588024

54,000 miles · Dec 17, 2013

Power TrainSteeringSuspension

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TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING. I WOULD PULL OUT ONTO A STREET AND IT WOULD SLIP AND I ALMOST GOT HIS BY A CAR. I TOOK IT IN REPEATEDLY TO DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE AND AFTER REPEATEDLY TAKING IT BACK AND THEM KEEPING IT FOR A MONTH THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. REPEATED STEERING ISSUES. I TOOK IT IN CONSTANTLY AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WRONG BUT AFTER LOOKING AT IT MYSELF I FOUND MELTED BUSHING AND AFTER BEING TOLD ALL THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED ALREADY. STEERING PROBLEMS FROM DAY 1. 4 TIMES OF HAVING POWER STEERING REPLACED AND STEERING COLUMN AND EVERY TIME I GOT THE VEHICLE BACK THE VIBRATION WAS WORSE, TODAY I FOUND THE PROBLEM ON MY OWN. THE RACK AND PINION HAS A MAJOR LEAK. NOT SURE HOW REPEATED TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T SEE THIS. MY STEERING ALSO LOCKS UP WHILE DRIVING ALMOST HIT A CAR..AND THE DEALERSHIP NEVER HAS LOANERS SO IM STUCK DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE WHILE I WAIT BECAUSE I WAS TOLD I CAN ONLY GO WHERE I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THIS VEHICLE GOES IN TO THE SHOP AND AS SOON AS IT IS PICKED UP IT NEEDS TO GO RIGHT BACK THE SAME DAY. WORST VEHICLE AND MOST UNSAFE OF ANYTHING I'VE EVER OWNED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10556449

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