NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
200 reportsClear category filter79,750 miles · Dec 29, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAD TOLD MY SATURN DEALERSHIP APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO ABOUT A RATTLING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD OF MY L-200 (2002). THEY TOLD ME IT WAS PROBABLY JUST THE NORMAL NOISE THAT THIS CAR MAKES WHEN IT FIRST STARTS. THE NOISE CONTINUED, BUT ONLY AT START-UP. I BROUGHT IT IN RECENTLY FOR A REGULAR OIL CHANGE AND NO PROBLEMS WERE NOTED.…
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I HAD TOLD MY SATURN DEALERSHIP APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO ABOUT A RATTLING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD OF MY L-200 (2002). THEY TOLD ME IT WAS PROBABLY JUST THE NORMAL NOISE THAT THIS CAR MAKES WHEN IT FIRST STARTS. THE NOISE CONTINUED, BUT ONLY AT START-UP. I BROUGHT IT IN RECENTLY FOR A REGULAR OIL CHANGE AND NO PROBLEMS WERE NOTED. THE NEXT DAY THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS QUITE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND IT IS FRUSTRATING AND PUZZLING TO ME THAT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT INVESTIGATE FURTHER WHEN I FIRST REPORTED THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10213169
65,000 miles · Dec 27, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN LINK SEPARATED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 07V519000) HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN LINK SEPARATED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 07V519000) HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD PAY 50% OF THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT FELT THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #10212922
54,000 miles · Dec 18, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
2002 L SERIES SATURN TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY & SHE WAS STRANDED IN TRAFFIC. (WARRANTY ENDED JULY -2007 & ENGINE DAMAGE IS IN EXCESS OF $2500.) *TR
NHTSA ODI #10212211
64,000 miles · Dec 16, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
2002 SATURN L-200. TIMING CHAIN FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. 64,000 MILES. DEALER WAS TRYING TO BLAME LACK OF MAINTENANCE UNTIL I PROVED REGULAR OIL CHANGES. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE SATURN TWIN CAM ENGINE. WHY DO THE DEALERS TRY TO BLAME THE OWNERS? MY CAR IS BEING REPAIRED, BUT I FEEL THEY TRIED TO…
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2002 SATURN L-200. TIMING CHAIN FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. 64,000 MILES. DEALER WAS TRYING TO BLAME LACK OF MAINTENANCE UNTIL I PROVED REGULAR OIL CHANGES. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE SATURN TWIN CAM ENGINE. WHY DO THE DEALERS TRY TO BLAME THE OWNERS? MY CAR IS BEING REPAIRED, BUT I FEEL THEY TRIED TO AVOID THE COVERAGE ON THE EXTENDED PLAN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10212035
39,200 miles · Nov 18, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TIME CHAIN ON AN L200 SATURN (MY 2002) AFTER ONLY 39,000 MILES OF USAGE. I HAD JUST PARKED THE VEHICLE, AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE CHAIN BROKE. PRIOR TO THIS, I WAS HEARING VALVE NOISE, BUT FORTUNATELY I PULLED THE AUTOMOBILE INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE BREAKAGE OF THE TIMING CHAIN RESULTED IN A COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF THE VALVES…
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TIME CHAIN ON AN L200 SATURN (MY 2002) AFTER ONLY 39,000 MILES OF USAGE. I HAD JUST PARKED THE VEHICLE, AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE CHAIN BROKE. PRIOR TO THIS, I WAS HEARING VALVE NOISE, BUT FORTUNATELY I PULLED THE AUTOMOBILE INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE BREAKAGE OF THE TIMING CHAIN RESULTED IN A COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF THE VALVES, CHAIN, ETC. AND REQUIRED FULL REPLACEMENT AND REPAIR. THIS INCLUDED THE HEAD, VALVES, CHAIN, TENSIONER, SPROCKETS, ETC. SATURN INDICATED THAT A NEWLY DESIGNED CHAIN TENSIONER WOULD BE REPLACED DURING THIS REPAIR AND SHOULD PREVENT FUTURE FAILURES. THIS REDESIGNED PART WAS SUPPOSED TO CORRECT A DEFICIENCY IN OIL DELIVERY TO THE CHAIN. IMPORTANTLY, I HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICED REGULARLY BY THE SATURN DEALER WITH ALL RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGES, ETC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10209272
103,900 miles · Sep 13, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L-100. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING POWER AND WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND CAUSED INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE COST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WAS $5,400. THE PURCHASE DATE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L-100. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING POWER AND WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND CAUSED INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE COST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WAS $5,400. THE PURCHASE DATE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,940 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,900. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ UPDATED *JB
NHTSA ODI #10202894
50,000 miles · Sep 12, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON AUGUST 8, 2007 I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY SON IN THE BACK SEAT TRAVELING 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE POWER TO MY CAR CUT OFF AND MY WHEELLOCKED IN POSITION. LUCKY FOR MY I HAPPENED TO BE IN THE LANE CLOSET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO SAFETLY EXIT THE ROAD. I THEN BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY TRUSTED MECHANIC T…
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ON AUGUST 8, 2007 I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY SON IN THE BACK SEAT TRAVELING 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE POWER TO MY CAR CUT OFF AND MY WHEELLOCKED IN POSITION. LUCKY FOR MY I HAPPENED TO BE IN THE LANE CLOSET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO SAFETLY EXIT THE ROAD. I THEN BROUGHT MY CAR TO MY TRUSTED MECHANIC TO FIND OUT THAT MY TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED AND I DID EXTENSTIVE DAMAGE TO MY CAR THAT I ONLY BOUGHT 1YEAR PRIOR IN JUNE OF 2006 FROM A SATURN DEALERSHIP. I HAD TO PAY $2400 TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED AND HAD NO VEHICLE TO USE FOR 2 WEEKS. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER WHO THOUGHT SHE BOUGHT A RELIABLE CAR. I COULDN'T AFFORD TO PAY THE DAMAGES TO MY CAR AND HAD TO BORROW MONEY. MY NEXY STEP IS TO CONTACT SATURN TO COMPLAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10202767
100,000 miles · Sep 4, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND THERE WAS A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. AS OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WER…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND THERE WAS A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. AS OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10201761
126,000 miles · Aug 23, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 12 AS I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN UPSTATE NY, MY 2002 SATURN L200 SUDDENLY BEGAN DECELERATING AND AS MUCH AS I PUSHED ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR CONTINUED TO STOP. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER, WHICH WAS VERY SCARY BECAUSE THE TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND MOST CARS WERE SPEEDING AROUND ME. THE CAR DIED AN…
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ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 12 AS I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN UPSTATE NY, MY 2002 SATURN L200 SUDDENLY BEGAN DECELERATING AND AS MUCH AS I PUSHED ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR CONTINUED TO STOP. I MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER, WHICH WAS VERY SCARY BECAUSE THE TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND MOST CARS WERE SPEEDING AROUND ME. THE CAR DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A SATURN DEALER WHO, WITHOUT EVEN EXAMINING THE CAR SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN. THIS DIAGNOSIS PROVED TO BE TRUE AND I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM OF THE L200 SERIES. I ALSO BECAME ANGERED BECAUSE I HAD BROUGHT MY CAR TO SATURN AT LEAST THREE TIMES COMPLAINING OF THE WARNING SIGNS--THE CAR HAD DONE THIS SAME THING SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE, BUT ALWAYS RESTARTED AFTER A WAIT OF ANY WHERE FROM ONE MINUTE TO THREE HOURS. EACH TIME I BROUGHT IT TO SATURN THEY ACTED LIKE THEY NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM BEFORE, AND TOLD ME THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THEY SHOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE A TSB HAD BEEN ISSUED ABOUT IT AND ALL SATURN MECHANICS SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAUGHT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I PAID $21,000 FOR THIS CAR, WITH THE INTENTION THAT IT WOULD LAST AT LEAST 10 YEARS. I JUST FINISHED PAYING FOR IT A FEW MONTHS AGO. I BELIEVE SATURN SHOULD PAY TO FIX THIS. THE TIMING CHAINS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST SATURN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200558
56,500 miles · Aug 22, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING, ONCE CAR WAS WARM, I STARTED HEARING A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. MECHANIC RAN AN EMISSIONS TEST AND DETERMINED THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. I DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR TO A SATURN DEALER, ALTHOUGH I HAD NO MORE WARRANTY. I WAS INFORMED THAT ONCE THEY INSTALLED THE GASKET, T…
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WHILE DRIVING, ONCE CAR WAS WARM, I STARTED HEARING A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. MECHANIC RAN AN EMISSIONS TEST AND DETERMINED THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. I DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR TO A SATURN DEALER, ALTHOUGH I HAD NO MORE WARRANTY. I WAS INFORMED THAT ONCE THEY INSTALLED THE GASKET, THE PROBLEM WAS WORSE AND THE CAR WAS NOW UNDRIVEABLE AS THE MANIFOLD ITSELF WAS WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (INCLUDING ANOTHER GASKET AS THE 1ST WAS DAMAGED BY TRYING TO INSTALL IT ON A WARPED MANIFOLD). THE CAR HAS APX 58,000 MILES. SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ONE DO THIS BEFORE AND ONLY EXPLANATION FOR IT HAPPENING WAS EXTREME HEAT, YET THIS ENGINE HAS NEVER OVERHEATED; OIL IS CHANGED AS SOON AS LIGHT COMES ON. LUCKY I DID NOT INCUR MAJOR DAMAGE TO OTHER PARTS OR THE ENGINE (AFTER READING THIS WEBSITE I AM WAITING FOR THE TIMING BELT TO GO. WHY NO RECALL ON THIS??) *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200480
NHTSA investigations
8PE09028 · Fuel Pump Leaks
Opened May 21, 2009 · Closed Oct 27, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON NINE VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE (VOQ) REPORTS ALLEGING GASOLINE LEAKAGE FROM THE IN-TANK FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORTED LEAKS FROM THE FUEL PUMP NIPPLE (I.E., THE FITTING FOR THE FUEL SUPPLY AND/OR RETURN HOSES).OTHERS REPORTED LEAKAGE FROM FUEL PUMP CRACKS, FUEL PUMP LINES, AND FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK.ODI WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY THAT ALL OF THE LEAKS ORIGINATED FROM THE FUEL PUMP HOSE FITTINGS AND OR NIPPLES.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF THE AVAILABLE COMPLAINT DATA ATTRIBUTED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES SHOW A LOW OVERALL RATE AND A DECLINING TREND, AS 75% OF THE REPORTS WERE RECEIVED PRIOR TO CALENDAR YEAR 2009.COMPLAINT DATA FOR MODEL YEAR 2001 AND 2003 VEHICLES ALSO DEMONSTRATES A LOW RATE AND SIMILAR DECLINING TREND.A DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON NINE VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE (VOQ) REPORTS ALLEGING GASOLINE LEAKAGE FROM THE IN-TANK FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORTED LEAKS FROM THE FUEL PUMP NIPPLE (I.E., THE FITTING FOR THE FUEL SUPPLY AND/OR RETURN HOSES).OTHERS REPORTED LEAKAGE FROM FUEL PUMP CRACKS, FUEL PUMP LINES, AND FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK.ODI WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY THAT ALL OF THE LEAKS ORIGINATED FROM THE FUEL PUMP HOSE FITTINGS AND OR NIPPLES.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF THE AVAILABLE COMPLAINT DATA ATTRIBUTED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES SHOW A LOW OVERALL RATE AND A DECLINING TREND, AS 75% OF THE REPORTS WERE RECEIVED PRIOR TO CALENDAR YEAR 2009.COMPLAINT DATA FOR MODEL YEAR 2001 AND 2003 VEHICLES ALSO DEMONSTRATES A LOW RATE AND SIMILAR DECLINING TREND.A DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON NINE VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE (VOQ) REPORTS ALLEGING GASOLINE LEAKAGE FROM THE IN-TANK FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY.SOME COMPLAINANTS REPORTED LEAKS FROM THE FUEL PUMP NIPPLE (I.E., THE FITTING FOR THE FUEL SUPPLY AND/OR RETURN HOSES).OTHERS REPORTED LEAKAGE FROM FUEL PUMP CRACKS, FUEL PUMP LINES, AND FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK.ODI WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY THAT ALL OF THE LEAKS ORIGINATED FROM THE FUEL PUMP HOSE FITTINGS AND OR NIPPLES.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF THE AVAILABLE COMPLAINT DATA ATTRIBUTED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES SHOW A LOW OVERALL RATE AND A DECLINING TREND, AS 75% OF THE REPORTS WERE RECEIVED PRIOR TO CALENDAR YEAR 2009.COMPLAINT DATA FOR MODEL YEAR 2001 AND 2003 VEHICLES ALSO DEMONSTRATES A LOW RATE AND SIMILAR DECLINING TREND.A DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
PE08061 · Timing Chain Breaks, Engine Stall
Opened Oct 16, 2008 · Closed Apr 8, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ON MAY 22, 2008, THEOFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) WAS PETITIONED BY THE NORTH CAROLINA CONSUMERS COUNCIL (NCCC) TO BROADEN THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 07V-519, WHICH WAS CONDUCTED BY GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION (GM) FOR MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE L61 2.2L ENGINE AND BUILT DURING A 4-MONTH PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 2000 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2001 (DP08-002). ON OCTOBER 16, 2008, ODI GRANTED DP08-002 AND OPENED PE08-061 TO INVESTIGATE TIMING CHAIN FAILURES RESULTING IN ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING (SWD) IN THE SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH L61 ENGINES AND THAT USED THE SAME DESIGN TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CHAIN LUBRICATION SYSTEM AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.A REDESIGNED TIMING CHAIN AND LUBRICATION SYSTEM WERE IMPLEMENTED LATE IN MY 2002 PRODUCTION (MAY 1, 2002).HENCE, THE SUBJECT VEHICLES FOR THIS INVESTIGATION ARE ALL MY 2000 THROUGH 2002 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L L61 ENGINES AND BUILT PRIOR TO MAY 2002 THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 07V-519. IN THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI ANALYZED UPDATED COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIMS DATA FOR TIMING CHAIN FAILURES RESULTING IN INCIDENTS OF ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING, WHICH COMPRISE SLIGHTLY OVER HALF OF ALL TIMING CHAIN FAILURES OCCURRING IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA SHOWS THAT VEHICLES PRODUCED WITH THE SUBJECT TIMING CHAIN AND LUBRICATION SYSTEM EXPERIENCED ELEVATED FAILURE RATES WHEN COMPARED WITH THE MY 2002 THROUGH 2003 VEHICLES USING THE REVISED COMPONENTS.HOWEVER, THE ANALYSIS ALSO SHOWED THAT THE MY 2001 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES RECALLED IN 07V-518 EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER RATE OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES THAN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE COMPLAINT RATE FOR TIMING CHAIN FAILURES RESULTING IN SWD WAS APPROXIMATELY 5 TIMES HIGHER FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES,19.2 INCIDENTS PER THOUSAND VEHICLES (IPTV), THAN FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, 3.7 IPTV.THE WARRANTY CLAIMS RATE FOR CHAIN FAILURES RESULTING IN SWD WAS OVER 3 TIMES HIGHER FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES, 2.4 PERCENT, THAN FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, 0.7 PERCENT.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY RATES FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE SIMILAR TO RATES RECORDED IN OTHER RECENTLY CLOSED INVESTIGATIONS FOR CONDITIONS THAT COULD RESULT IN SWD WITH NO ENGINE RE-START, EA07-015 AND EA07-018.ANALYSIS OF ALL COMPLAINTS, FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS FOUND NO ALLEGATIONS OF CRASHES OR INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AFTER APPROXIMATELY 7 TO 9 YEARS IN SERVICE. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF THE STALLING INCIDENTS THAT HAVE RESULTED FROM TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES FOUND THAT THEY CAN OCCUR AT ANY SPEED AND ALMOST ALWAYS RESULT IN A NO RESTART CONDITION.THESE ARE GENERALLY CONSIDERED TO BE FACTORS THAT INCREASE THE SEVERITY OF STALLING INCIDENTS.HOWEVER, ANALYSIS OF SWD FAILURE RATES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES SHOW THAT THEY HAVE OCCURRED AT MUCH LOWER RATES THAN WERE OBSERVED IN THE RECALLED POPULATION.IN ADDITION, THE SWD COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY RATES FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE SIMILAR TO RATES OBSERVED IN PRIOR INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING SIMILAR CATEGORIES OF ENGINE STALL CONSEQUENCES THAT WERE CLOSED WITH NO ACTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
DP08002 · Timing Chain FAILURE-STALL
Opened Jun 18, 2008 · Closed Oct 16, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ON JUNE 6, 2006, ODI OPENED AN INVESTIGATION OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURE RESULTING IN ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING WITH NO RESTART IN APPROXIMATELY 20,514 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L ENGINES (L61) BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2000 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2001 (EA06-009).THE VEHICLES BUILT DURING THOSE MONTHS EXHIBITED HIGHER FAILURE RATES THAN SIMILARLY EQUIPPED VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE AND AFTER.GM INTRODUCED A NEW TIMING CHAIN DESIGN IN PRODUCTION IN MAY 2002.ODI CLOSED ITS INVESTIGATION AFTER GM INITIATED A SAFETY RECALL ON NOVEMBER 7, 2007 (RECALL 07V-519). ON MAY 22, 2008, THE NORTH CAROLINA CONSUMERS COUNCIL (NCCC) SUBMITTED A DEFECT PETITION TO ODI REQUESTING THE EXPANSION OF RECALL 07V-519 TO INCLUDE ALL MY 1999 THROUGH 2003 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES WITH 2.2L ENGINES USING THE SAME TIMING CHAIN DESIGN AS THE RECALLED POPULATION.THE PETITION STATES THAT THE NCCC CONTINUES TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT HAVE HAD A TIMING CHAIN FAIL IN VEHICLES BUILT OUTSIDE THE PRODUCTION RANGE COVERED BY THE RECALL.THE PETITION ALSO NOTES THAT ODI HAS CONTINUED TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS.SINCE THE CLOSING OF EA06-009 ODI HAS RECEIVED 80 NEW COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS WHO HAD A TIMING CHAIN FAIL IN A MY 2000 THROUGH 2002 SATURN L-SERIES WITH THE 2.2L ENGINE THAT WERE NOT COVERED BY RECALL 07V-519 AND WERE BUILT PRIOR TO THE TIMING BELT CHANGE IN MAY 2002.THE COMPLAINTS DESCRIBE THE SAME FAILURE MODE AS THE RECALLED POPULATION WHERE THE TIMING CHAIN CAN BREAK SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, RESULTING IN ENGINE DAMAGE AND LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER.THE DEFECT PETITION HAS BEEN GRANTED. A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE08-061) HAS BEEN OPENED.
PE06006 · Timing Chain Failure
Opened Jan 24, 2006 · Closed Jun 6, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ON DECEMBER 12, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A DEFECT PETITION (DP05-008) REQUESTING THE INVESTIGATION OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES THAT COULD CAUSE STALLING IN SATURN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.2L (L61) ENGINE. ODI OPENED PE06-006 ON JANUARY 24, 2006, WITH 24 VEHICLE OWNER COMPLAINTS THAT ALLEGED A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP OPERATING.ON APRIL 12, 2006, ODI RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM GENERAL MOTORS (GM) CONCERNING TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN APPROXIMATELY 412,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000 THROUGH 2003 SATURN L-SERIES AND ION VEHICLES WITH 2.2L ENGINES. GM'S RESPONSE INCLUDED 1,020 OWNER COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS CONCERNING TIMING CHAIN FAILURE, INCLUDING 228 THAT ALLEGED THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING.GM ALSO PROVIDED WARRANTY CLAIM DATA THAT SHOWED 1,902 SUBJECT VEHICLES RECEIVING TIMING CHAIN REPAIRS, INCLUDING 261 WHICH INDICATED THAT A STALL WHILE DRIVING RESULTED FROM THE FAILURE.THE GM COMPLAINTS, FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS THAT DID NOT CONTAIN SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO DETERMINE THAT A STALL WHILE DRIVING OCCURRED WERE PROVIDED IN THE CATEGORY OTHER.GM STATED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS PROBABLY OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLES WERE PARKED SINCE THE TIMING CHAIN IS MORE LIKELY TO BREAK DURING HIGH CHAIN LOAD SITUATIONS, SUCH AS ENGINE STARTUP.GM'S DATA SHOWED ELEVATED FAILURE RATES IN APPROXIMATELY 20,500 MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES PRODUCED DURING A FOUR MONTH PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 2000 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2001.OVER ONE-THIRD OF GM'S TOTAL COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS (34.3%) AND WARRANTY CLAIMS (38.2%) INVOLVED L-SERIES VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE 4-MONTH PERIOD, WHICH ARE ONLY ABOUT 5% OF SUBJECT VEHICLE PRODUCTION.THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE RATE IN THE VEHICLES BUILT DURING THIS RANGE IS OVER 10 TIMES GREATER THAN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION. FOR THE MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE 4-MONTH PERIOD, THE 36-MONTH FAILURE RATE FOR REPAIRS INVOLVING STALL WHILE DRIVING IS SLIGHTLY UNDER ONE PERCENT.HOWEVER, IF THE INCIDENTS CODED AS OTHER ARE ADDED, THE 36-MONTH FAILURE RATE RISES TO NEARLY FIVE PERCENT FOR THOSE VEHICLES.ODI AND GM ARE CONTINUING TO ASSESS THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS CODED BY GM AS OTHER THAT INVOLVE INCIDENTS OF STALL WHILE DRIVING.GM'S STATISTICAL MODELING OF THE FAILURE DATA INITIALLY CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE RATES WERE DECLINING WITH AGE AND MILEAGE FOR ANY SET OF WARRANTY DATA ANALYZED (E.G., STALL WHILE DRIVING, OTHER OR COMBINED).HOWEVER, SUBSEQUENT ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THE FAILURE RATES ARE INCREASING. BASED ON THE HIGH COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY RATES FOR TIMING CHAIN FAILURE IN THE 4-MONTH PRODUCTION PERIOD FOR THE MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE FREQUENCY OF STALL INCIDENTS DUE TO TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN THOSE VEHICLES (EA06-009).
DP05008 · Timing Chain Failure
Opened Dec 20, 2005 · Closed Feb 6, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ANALYSIS UNDERTAKEN IN RESPONSE TO THE PETITION IDENTIFIED 26 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN MY 2000-2003 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.2L L4 ENGINE.MOST COMPLAINTS OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURE REPORTEDLY RESULTED IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND STALLING.ODI ALSO NOTED THAT CERTAIN MY 2002-2003 SATURN VUE AND MY 2003 SATURN ION MODEL VEHICLES WITH THE 2.2L ENGINE VEHICLESCOVERED BY A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (03-06-01-017) THAT ADDRESSED TIMING CHAIN DESIGN AND SERVICE PROCEDURE CHANGES, EXHIBITED NO COMPLAINTS OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURE.ODI WILL GRANT THE PETITION AND OPEN A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO ASSESS THE FREQUENCY, TREND, SCOPE AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.REFER TO PE06-006.
PE05010 · Inoperative Tail Lamps
Opened Feb 15, 2005 · Closed Jun 3, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Exterior Lighting; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
GENERAL MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT EXISTS ON CERTAIN MODEL SATURN SEDANS AND WAGONS.THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE OR TAIL LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP).GM WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON AN EXPANDED SCOPE OF SATURN VEHICLES TO INSTALL A REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTER (AND CORRESPONDING NW SOCKET) TO THE BACK OF THE EXISTING LAMP ASSEMBLY.GENERAL MOTORS WILL RECALL 291,652 MY 2000-2002 SATURN LS SEDANS AND MY 2000-2004 SATURN LW WAGONS.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA NUMBER 05V-245.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Electrical System
GENERAL MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT EXISTS ON CERTAIN MODEL SATURN SEDANS AND WAGONS.THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE OR TAIL LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP).GM WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON AN EXPANDED SCOPE OF SATURN VEHICLES TO INSTALL A REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTER (AND CORRESPONDING NW SOCKET) TO THE BACK OF THE EXISTING LAMP ASSEMBLY.GENERAL MOTORS WILL RECALL 291,652 MY 2000-2002 SATURN LS SEDANS AND MY 2000-2004 SATURN LW WAGONS.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA NUMBER 05V-245.
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
GENERAL MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT EXISTS ON CERTAIN MODEL SATURN SEDANS AND WAGONS.THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE OR TAIL LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP).GM WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON AN EXPANDED SCOPE OF SATURN VEHICLES TO INSTALL A REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTER (AND CORRESPONDING NW SOCKET) TO THE BACK OF THE EXISTING LAMP ASSEMBLY.GENERAL MOTORS WILL RECALL 291,652 MY 2000-2002 SATURN LS SEDANS AND MY 2000-2004 SATURN LW WAGONS.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA NUMBER 05V-245.
Exterior Lighting
GENERAL MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT EXISTS ON CERTAIN MODEL SATURN SEDANS AND WAGONS.THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE OR TAIL LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP).GM WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON AN EXPANDED SCOPE OF SATURN VEHICLES TO INSTALL A REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTER (AND CORRESPONDING NW SOCKET) TO THE BACK OF THE EXISTING LAMP ASSEMBLY.GENERAL MOTORS WILL RECALL 291,652 MY 2000-2002 SATURN LS SEDANS AND MY 2000-2004 SATURN LW WAGONS.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA NUMBER 05V-245.
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
GENERAL MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT EXISTS ON CERTAIN MODEL SATURN SEDANS AND WAGONS.THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE OR TAIL LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP).GM WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON AN EXPANDED SCOPE OF SATURN VEHICLES TO INSTALL A REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTER (AND CORRESPONDING NW SOCKET) TO THE BACK OF THE EXISTING LAMP ASSEMBLY.GENERAL MOTORS WILL RECALL 291,652 MY 2000-2002 SATURN LS SEDANS AND MY 2000-2004 SATURN LW WAGONS.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA NUMBER 05V-245.
DP05001 · Inoperative Tail Lamps
Opened Feb 10, 2005 · Closed Feb 22, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights:switch
ON JANUARY 25, 2005, A SAFETY DEFECT PETITION WAS RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF INOPERATIVE TAIL LAMPS ON MY 2000-2002 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN AND ASSEMBLY OF THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CIRCUIT BOARD AND LIGHT SOCKET CONTACT.THE PETITIONER IDENTIFIED 47 VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE'S (VOQ'S) ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT, AND ODI CONCURS THAT 40 OF THOSE VOQ'S SATISFY THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION.ODI HAS FOUND AN ADDITIONAL 10 VOQ'S RELATED TO THE ALLEGATION.ODI HAS GRANTED THE PETITION AND OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE05-010).
Additional source detail variants (5)
Electrical System
ON JANUARY 25, 2005, A SAFETY DEFECT PETITION WAS RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF INOPERATIVE TAIL LAMPS ON MY 2000-2002 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN AND ASSEMBLY OF THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CIRCUIT BOARD AND LIGHT SOCKET CONTACT.THE PETITIONER IDENTIFIED 47 VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE'S (VOQ'S) ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT, AND ODI CONCURS THAT 40 OF THOSE VOQ'S SATISFY THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION.ODI HAS FOUND AN ADDITIONAL 10 VOQ'S RELATED TO THE ALLEGATION.ODI HAS GRANTED THE PETITION AND OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE05-010).
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
ON JANUARY 25, 2005, A SAFETY DEFECT PETITION WAS RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF INOPERATIVE TAIL LAMPS ON MY 2000-2002 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN AND ASSEMBLY OF THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CIRCUIT BOARD AND LIGHT SOCKET CONTACT.THE PETITIONER IDENTIFIED 47 VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE'S (VOQ'S) ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT, AND ODI CONCURS THAT 40 OF THOSE VOQ'S SATISFY THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION.ODI HAS FOUND AN ADDITIONAL 10 VOQ'S RELATED TO THE ALLEGATION.ODI HAS GRANTED THE PETITION AND OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE05-010).
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
ON JANUARY 25, 2005, A SAFETY DEFECT PETITION WAS RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF INOPERATIVE TAIL LAMPS ON MY 2000-2002 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN AND ASSEMBLY OF THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CIRCUIT BOARD AND LIGHT SOCKET CONTACT.THE PETITIONER IDENTIFIED 47 VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE'S (VOQ'S) ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT, AND ODI CONCURS THAT 40 OF THOSE VOQ'S SATISFY THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION.ODI HAS FOUND AN ADDITIONAL 10 VOQ'S RELATED TO THE ALLEGATION.ODI HAS GRANTED THE PETITION AND OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE05-010).
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
ON JANUARY 25, 2005, A SAFETY DEFECT PETITION WAS RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF INOPERATIVE TAIL LAMPS ON MY 2000-2002 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN AND ASSEMBLY OF THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CIRCUIT BOARD AND LIGHT SOCKET CONTACT.THE PETITIONER IDENTIFIED 47 VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE'S (VOQ'S) ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT, AND ODI CONCURS THAT 40 OF THOSE VOQ'S SATISFY THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION.ODI HAS FOUND AN ADDITIONAL 10 VOQ'S RELATED TO THE ALLEGATION.ODI HAS GRANTED THE PETITION AND OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE05-010).
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights:switch
ON JANUARY 25, 2005, A SAFETY DEFECT PETITION WAS RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI), REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF INOPERATIVE TAIL LAMPS ON MY 2000-2002 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN AND ASSEMBLY OF THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CIRCUIT BOARD AND LIGHT SOCKET CONTACT.THE PETITIONER IDENTIFIED 47 VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE'S (VOQ'S) ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT, AND ODI CONCURS THAT 40 OF THOSE VOQ'S SATISFY THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION.ODI HAS FOUND AN ADDITIONAL 10 VOQ'S RELATED TO THE ALLEGATION.ODI HAS GRANTED THE PETITION AND OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE05-010).
PE03017 · Headlamps Flicker Off And On
Opened Apr 17, 2003 · Closed Aug 25, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting; Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:concealment Devices; Exterior Lighting:headlights:high/low Beam Dimmer Switch; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch; Exterior Lighting:tail Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch
THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON SIX ODI COMPLAINTS THAT HEADLAMPS FLICKER OFF AND ON, AND TWO ODI COMPLAINTS THAT THE SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH.THE INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND NO OCCURRENCES OF HEADLAMPS GOING OUT.THE COMPLAINTS ARE DUE TO SPORADIC DIMMING (FLICKERING) OF THE HEADLAMPS AS A RESULT OF VARIATION OF THE VOLTAGE TO THE HEADLAMPS.GM HAS SHOWN THAT A 1.5 -2.0 VOLTAGE DROP OCCURS WHEN OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES ARE ACTIVATED, HOWEVER AT NO TIME DO THE HEADLAMPS TURN COMPLETELY OFF.WITH RESPECT TO ALLEGATIONS THAT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH, GM REPORTS THAT THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF THE SWITCH IS 35 DEGREES C WHICH IS NOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A FINGER OR HAND.IN MAY 2001, GM MODIFIED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH CRIMPING OPERATION TO ELIMINATE THE OCCURRENCE OF HOT SWITCHES.ODI EVALUATED THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY RETURNS AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF MELTING OR BURNING. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.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.
Additional source detail variants (8)
Exterior Lighting
THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON SIX ODI COMPLAINTS THAT HEADLAMPS FLICKER OFF AND ON, AND TWO ODI COMPLAINTS THAT THE SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH.THE INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND NO OCCURRENCES OF HEADLAMPS GOING OUT.THE COMPLAINTS ARE DUE TO SPORADIC DIMMING (FLICKERING) OF THE HEADLAMPS AS A RESULT OF VARIATION OF THE VOLTAGE TO THE HEADLAMPS.GM HAS SHOWN THAT A 1.5 -2.0 VOLTAGE DROP OCCURS WHEN OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES ARE ACTIVATED, HOWEVER AT NO TIME DO THE HEADLAMPS TURN COMPLETELY OFF.WITH RESPECT TO ALLEGATIONS THAT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH, GM REPORTS THAT THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF THE SWITCH IS 35 DEGREES C WHICH IS NOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A FINGER OR HAND.IN MAY 2001, GM MODIFIED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH CRIMPING OPERATION TO ELIMINATE THE OCCURRENCE OF HOT SWITCHES.ODI EVALUATED THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY RETURNS AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF MELTING OR BURNING. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.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.
Exterior Lighting:headlights:concealment Devices
THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON SIX ODI COMPLAINTS THAT HEADLAMPS FLICKER OFF AND ON, AND TWO ODI COMPLAINTS THAT THE SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH.THE INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND NO OCCURRENCES OF HEADLAMPS GOING OUT.THE COMPLAINTS ARE DUE TO SPORADIC DIMMING (FLICKERING) OF THE HEADLAMPS AS A RESULT OF VARIATION OF THE VOLTAGE TO THE HEADLAMPS.GM HAS SHOWN THAT A 1.5 -2.0 VOLTAGE DROP OCCURS WHEN OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES ARE ACTIVATED, HOWEVER AT NO TIME DO THE HEADLAMPS TURN COMPLETELY OFF.WITH RESPECT TO ALLEGATIONS THAT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH, GM REPORTS THAT THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF THE SWITCH IS 35 DEGREES C WHICH IS NOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A FINGER OR HAND.IN MAY 2001, GM MODIFIED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH CRIMPING OPERATION TO ELIMINATE THE OCCURRENCE OF HOT SWITCHES.ODI EVALUATED THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY RETURNS AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF MELTING OR BURNING. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.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.
Exterior Lighting:headlights
THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON SIX ODI COMPLAINTS THAT HEADLAMPS FLICKER OFF AND ON, AND TWO ODI COMPLAINTS THAT THE SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH.THE INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND NO OCCURRENCES OF HEADLAMPS GOING OUT.THE COMPLAINTS ARE DUE TO SPORADIC DIMMING (FLICKERING) OF THE HEADLAMPS AS A RESULT OF VARIATION OF THE VOLTAGE TO THE HEADLAMPS.GM HAS SHOWN THAT A 1.5 -2.0 VOLTAGE DROP OCCURS WHEN OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES ARE ACTIVATED, HOWEVER AT NO TIME DO THE HEADLAMPS TURN COMPLETELY OFF.WITH RESPECT TO ALLEGATIONS THAT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH, GM REPORTS THAT THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF THE SWITCH IS 35 DEGREES C WHICH IS NOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A FINGER OR HAND.IN MAY 2001, GM MODIFIED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH CRIMPING OPERATION TO ELIMINATE THE OCCURRENCE OF HOT SWITCHES.ODI EVALUATED THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY RETURNS AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF MELTING OR BURNING. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.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.
Exterior Lighting:headlights:high/low Beam Dimmer Switch
THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON SIX ODI COMPLAINTS THAT HEADLAMPS FLICKER OFF AND ON, AND TWO ODI COMPLAINTS THAT THE SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH.THE INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND NO OCCURRENCES OF HEADLAMPS GOING OUT.THE COMPLAINTS ARE DUE TO SPORADIC DIMMING (FLICKERING) OF THE HEADLAMPS AS A RESULT OF VARIATION OF THE VOLTAGE TO THE HEADLAMPS.GM HAS SHOWN THAT A 1.5 -2.0 VOLTAGE DROP OCCURS WHEN OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES ARE ACTIVATED, HOWEVER AT NO TIME DO THE HEADLAMPS TURN COMPLETELY OFF.WITH RESPECT TO ALLEGATIONS THAT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH, GM REPORTS THAT THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF THE SWITCH IS 35 DEGREES C WHICH IS NOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A FINGER OR HAND.IN MAY 2001, GM MODIFIED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH CRIMPING OPERATION TO ELIMINATE THE OCCURRENCE OF HOT SWITCHES.ODI EVALUATED THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY RETURNS AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF MELTING OR BURNING. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.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.
Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON SIX ODI COMPLAINTS THAT HEADLAMPS FLICKER OFF AND ON, AND TWO ODI COMPLAINTS THAT THE SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH.THE INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND NO OCCURRENCES OF HEADLAMPS GOING OUT.THE COMPLAINTS ARE DUE TO SPORADIC DIMMING (FLICKERING) OF THE HEADLAMPS AS A RESULT OF VARIATION OF THE VOLTAGE TO THE HEADLAMPS.GM HAS SHOWN THAT A 1.5 -2.0 VOLTAGE DROP OCCURS WHEN OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES ARE ACTIVATED, HOWEVER AT NO TIME DO THE HEADLAMPS TURN COMPLETELY OFF.WITH RESPECT TO ALLEGATIONS THAT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH, GM REPORTS THAT THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF THE SWITCH IS 35 DEGREES C WHICH IS NOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A FINGER OR HAND.IN MAY 2001, GM MODIFIED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH CRIMPING OPERATION TO ELIMINATE THE OCCURRENCE OF HOT SWITCHES.ODI EVALUATED THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY RETURNS AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF MELTING OR BURNING. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.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.
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights:switch
THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON SIX ODI COMPLAINTS THAT HEADLAMPS FLICKER OFF AND ON, AND TWO ODI COMPLAINTS THAT THE SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH.THE INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND NO OCCURRENCES OF HEADLAMPS GOING OUT.THE COMPLAINTS ARE DUE TO SPORADIC DIMMING (FLICKERING) OF THE HEADLAMPS AS A RESULT OF VARIATION OF THE VOLTAGE TO THE HEADLAMPS.GM HAS SHOWN THAT A 1.5 -2.0 VOLTAGE DROP OCCURS WHEN OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES ARE ACTIVATED, HOWEVER AT NO TIME DO THE HEADLAMPS TURN COMPLETELY OFF.WITH RESPECT TO ALLEGATIONS THAT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH, GM REPORTS THAT THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF THE SWITCH IS 35 DEGREES C WHICH IS NOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A FINGER OR HAND.IN MAY 2001, GM MODIFIED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH CRIMPING OPERATION TO ELIMINATE THE OCCURRENCE OF HOT SWITCHES.ODI EVALUATED THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY RETURNS AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF MELTING OR BURNING. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.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.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal
THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON SIX ODI COMPLAINTS THAT HEADLAMPS FLICKER OFF AND ON, AND TWO ODI COMPLAINTS THAT THE SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH.THE INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND NO OCCURRENCES OF HEADLAMPS GOING OUT.THE COMPLAINTS ARE DUE TO SPORADIC DIMMING (FLICKERING) OF THE HEADLAMPS AS A RESULT OF VARIATION OF THE VOLTAGE TO THE HEADLAMPS.GM HAS SHOWN THAT A 1.5 -2.0 VOLTAGE DROP OCCURS WHEN OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES ARE ACTIVATED, HOWEVER AT NO TIME DO THE HEADLAMPS TURN COMPLETELY OFF.WITH RESPECT TO ALLEGATIONS THAT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH, GM REPORTS THAT THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF THE SWITCH IS 35 DEGREES C WHICH IS NOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A FINGER OR HAND.IN MAY 2001, GM MODIFIED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH CRIMPING OPERATION TO ELIMINATE THE OCCURRENCE OF HOT SWITCHES.ODI EVALUATED THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY RETURNS AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF MELTING OR BURNING. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.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.
Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch
THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON SIX ODI COMPLAINTS THAT HEADLAMPS FLICKER OFF AND ON, AND TWO ODI COMPLAINTS THAT THE SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH.THE INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND NO OCCURRENCES OF HEADLAMPS GOING OUT.THE COMPLAINTS ARE DUE TO SPORADIC DIMMING (FLICKERING) OF THE HEADLAMPS AS A RESULT OF VARIATION OF THE VOLTAGE TO THE HEADLAMPS.GM HAS SHOWN THAT A 1.5 -2.0 VOLTAGE DROP OCCURS WHEN OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES ARE ACTIVATED, HOWEVER AT NO TIME DO THE HEADLAMPS TURN COMPLETELY OFF.WITH RESPECT TO ALLEGATIONS THAT THE HEADLAMP SWITCH IS HOT TO THE TOUCH, GM REPORTS THAT THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF THE SWITCH IS 35 DEGREES C WHICH IS NOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A FINGER OR HAND.IN MAY 2001, GM MODIFIED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH CRIMPING OPERATION TO ELIMINATE THE OCCURRENCE OF HOT SWITCHES.ODI EVALUATED THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY RETURNS AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF MELTING OR BURNING. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.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.
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