Exterior Lighting. Review the 247 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 164 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 127 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports19 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

633 reports

23,720 miles · Apr 30, 2014

Air Bags

FOR THE LAST 2 WEEKS A "SERVICE AIR BAG" MESSAGE APPEARS IN THE DIC AT START UP. ALSO THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT APPEARS IN THE DASH. THE MESSAGE APPEARS AND DISAPPEARS DURING TRAVEL. SOME DAYS THE MESSAGE DOES NOT APPEAR. I'VE SPOKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO RECALL. I HAVE SEEN IN THE NEWS AS OF MARCH 17, 2014 THA…

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NHTSA ODI #10585646

100,000 miles · Apr 25, 2014

Air Bags

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK. THE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS OCCUPIED OR VACANT. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V118000 (AIR BAGS), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10584974

82,000 miles · Apr 15, 2014

Electrical SystemEngineStructure

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LAST WEEK WE HAD HEAVY RAIN AND RAIN BEGAN LEAKING INTO THE CAR NEAR THE FRONT PILLAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE NEXT DAY THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND IT APPEARED THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. WHEN I HAD IT TESTED IT SHOWED IT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I PURCHASED THE BATTERY AND WENT TO HAVE IT INSTALLED. WHILE I WAS THERE I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE FUSE BOX WAS CORODED AND CLEANED THE CONNECTIONS. THE CAR CONTINUED TO REMAIN ON THROUGHOUT THE DAY UNTIL IT SEEMED TO DRY OUT. IT RAINED AGAIN YESTERDAY AND THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED WHERE THERE WAS WATER LEAKING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE PILLAR NEAR THE AIR BAG. I NOTICED THE CAR STAYING ON ONE TIME AND THEN THE NEXT MORNING THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I BEGAN RESEARCHING THE ISSUE AND FOUND SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER GM USERS. I AM CONCERNED NOT ONLY ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BUT POTENTIAL MOLD AND CONTACTED THE DEALER AS MANY NOTED THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN. THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST AS THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN OFFICIAL RECALL. I WOULD URGE THAT THIS BE PUSHED AS IT IS ANOTHER KNOWN ISSUE WITH GM CARS THAT GM REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT: 2007 GM ACADIA CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ODI ID NUMBER SPECIFIC TO WATER LEAK: 10258230 (THIS IS MY COMPLAINT ID #) 10255735 10254149 10248331 10211267 10210839 10210533 2008 GM ACADIA CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ODI ID NUMBER SPECIFIC TO WATER LEAK: 10246694 10243591 10241649 10230134 10229896 10212682 *TT

NHTSA ODI #10582847

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2014

Visibility

I PURCHASED A 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK XR. THE DEALERSHIP SWORE THEY COULD FIX THE SUNROOF LEAK. AFTER 10 WEEKS AND RELEASING IT BACK TO ME 4 DIFFERENT TIMES. THEY HAVE YET TO FIX THE ISSUE. MY CAR IS FLOODED EVERY TIME IT RAINS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10579037

72,000 miles · Apr 10, 2014

Air Bags

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THERE WAS NO INCIDENT YET. HOWEVER, AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR I REALIZED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR CONTINUED TO STAY ON THE OFF POSITION. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND CONFIRMED THAT YES IF SOMEONE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND I HAVE AN ACCIDENT THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE PASSENGER PRESENCE SENSOR AND THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED ON MY WARRANTY. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST OVER 1,1000 DOLLARS TO FIX, I CALLED GM AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING. IT'S FUNNY THAT NO ONE WILL LOOK INTO THIS OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I HAVE CHILDREN AND I CAN'T BE SURE THAT THEY ARE SAFE IN A VEHICLE I JUST PURCHASED. I AM SO UPSET CONSIDERING THAT NISSAN JUST HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I AM SURE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS THIS ISSUE GOING ON WITH THEIR CAR. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANY SOLUTIONS, OR IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS AS TO WHAT I CAN DO TO INSURE MY FAMILY IS SAFE WHEN I AM IN MY CAR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578817

77,000 miles · Apr 5, 2014

Power Train

FAMILY ON VACATION OUT OF STATE WITH TWO ADULTS AND 3 CHILDREN. AT STOPLIGHT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. WENT TO ACCELERATE AND ENGINE WOULD RUN HIGH RPM'S BUT NO VEHICLE MOVEMENT. FINALLY GOT THE VEHICLE TO MOVE SLOWLY AND BARELY MADE IT TO A LOCAL GAS STATION. COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN HEAVY TRAFFI…

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NHTSA ODI #10577565

103,000 miles · Apr 2, 2014

Air BagsCrashInjury

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SATURN OUTLOOK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND HYDRO-PLANED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE FIVE CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE WHO SUSTAINED INJURIES FROM BRUISING, CONTUSIONS AND LACERATIONS THAT REQUIRED STITCHES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V118000(AIR BAGS) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. ..UPDATED 04-29-14 *BF UPDATED 8/1/17*CN

NHTSA ODI #10576865

117,000 miles · Apr 1, 2014

Power TrainSteeringUnknown Or Other

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I WAS DRIVING MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL WHEN MY POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED AND I HAD TO TRY AND DRIVE WITHOUT IT. I WAS TOLD A MONTH BEFORE IT WAS THE STEERING AND PINION RACK, GOT THAT FIXED AND THERE WAS TWO CODES THAT POPPED UP. I WAS TOLD THAT ONE CANCELLED OUT THE OTHER WHICH DIDN'T MAKE SENSE. NOW THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS WORK AND THEY SAY THAT WAS THE PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH. I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY TRYING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION ALONG. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN GMC CAUSE WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER THEY SUGGESTED THAT I CHANGE PART UNTIL THEY FIND THE PROBLEM. I AM PISSED CAUSE I STILL CAN'T ENJOY MY TRUCK ANYMORE. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY IS OVER AND THEY DEALER WANTS OVER 2000 GRAND TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION IF THAT'S WHAT IT REALLY THE PROBLEM. LOOKING ONLINE MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE AND STILL NO RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSIONS FOR SATURN OUTLOOKS. SHAME ON YOU GMC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576580

45,740 miles · Mar 22, 2014

Electrical SystemExterior LightingStructure

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NEAR THE END OF MAY 2012, I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHICH SLOPES SLIGHTLY DOWNWARD, AND SUDDENLY WATER STARTED COMING OUT OF THE REAR OVERHEAD LIGHTS. WHEN THE CAR REACHED LEVEL GROUND THE WATER THEN CAME OUT OF THE PASSENGER-SIDE WINDSHIELD PILLAR AND THE SUNROOF AS WELL. I BROUGHT IT TO A GM DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THE SUNROOF DRAIN TUBES WERE CLOGGED. IT COST ME $90.00 TO HAVE THEM CLEAN IT OUT. THE CAR IS NORMALLY GARAGED, HOWEVER WE HAD DRIVEN IT DURING A RAINSTORM THE DAY BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. AFTERWARDS WE STARTED NOTICING SOME CRAZY THINGS HAPPENING TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF THE CAR. SOMETIMES THE RADIO WOULD STAY ON EVEN AFTER THE KEY WAS REMOVED AND OPENING THE DOORS (WHICH NORMALLY WOULD SHUT EVERYTHING DOWN.) SOMETIMES THE FRONT DOOR PANEL SPEAKERS WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL, OR ONE WOULD WORK OR BOTH WOULD WORK. RIGHT NOW THE DRIVERS SIDE IS NOT WORKING. THEN THE DAY AFTER THE CAR WAS OUT IN A TORRENTIAL RAIN STORM SOMETIME NEAR THE END OF FEBRUARY 2014, IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD AND I HAD TO CALL AAA TO GET IT STARTED. THE AAA GUY SAID TO CHECK THIS CAR OUT ONLINE FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, WHICH I DID AND FOUND VOLUMES OF COMPLAINTS STEMMING FROM THIS ISSUE, AS WELL AS SEVERAL GM TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS OR TSB'S AS THEY ARE REFERRED TO. I ONCE AGAIN BROUGHT IT TO THE GM DEALERSHIP WHICH KNEW ABOUT THE ISSUE AND REPAIRED IT AT A COST TO ME OF $810.39. GM HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE DIRECTLY, NOR HAS COMPENSATED ANY OF THE CONSUMERS WHO OWN THE VEHICLES THAT ALL HAVE THIS PROBLEM, NAMELY SATURN OUTLOOK, GMC ACADIA AND BUICK ENCLAVE FROM 2008 - 2010. I FEEL THAT IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND UNETHICAL FOR THEM TO PASS THIS PROBLEM OFF TO THE CONSUMER. THIS IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE AND I WANT TO BE REIMBURSED, AND I'D LIKE THEM TO INSPECT AND REPAIR FOR FREE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS WELL FOR OTHER DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574115

54,500 miles · Mar 21, 2014

Power TrainSteering

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NOTICED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THAT SLIGHT MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT OR LEFT CAUSED A WHINING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA. ONLY A FEW DAYS LATER I NOTICED THE CAR BUCKING WHEN SHIFTING IN THE LOWER GEARS AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. TWO DAYS AFTER THE LOWER GEAR SHIFTING ISSUES, I NOTICED THE CAR STUTTERED AND BUCKED WHEN I SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND ATTEMPTED TO BACK INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THE CAR THREW A CODE - P0018 - WHICH MEANS "CRANK TO CAM INTAKE", ALONG WITH SAYING THE RACK AND PINION IS LEAKING AND COULD BE FIXED AT A COST OF $1700. AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT AND THEY RECOMMENDED BRINGING TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP TO GET THE BEST COST/SERVICE. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT WILL COST. THE CAR ONLY HAS 54K MILES ON IT. OUR 5 YEAR/100,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY EXPIRED IN SEPTEMBER 2013. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. NOW IT APPEARS THE REPAIRS WILL COST A THIRD OF WHAT THE CAR IS CURRENTLY WORTH. THOSE SYSTEMS SHOULD NOT FAIL AFTER SUCH LOW MILEAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574027

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