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2007 Saturn Sky

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

192 reports with mileage · 92 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 234 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports0 fire reports10 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

234 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2015
Air Bags

AIR BAG PASSENGER PRESENT MODULE IN PASSENGER SEAT HAS FAILED GIVING AN ERROR CODE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON SATURN SKYS AS THE FORUMS HAVE SEVERAL REPORTS OF SIMILAR FAILURES. I SEE THAT BMW HAS JUST ISSUED A RECALL FOR THESE SENSORS. THE SATURN SKY AND PONTIAC SOLSTICE SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10706481

25,000 miles · Apr 10, 2015
Air Bags

IN 2009, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A PASSENGER. THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT LIGHT SOMETIMES REGISTERED "OFF", EVEN WHEN PASSENGER WAS PRESENT. BECAUSE IT WAS INTERMITTENT, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. IN 2014, THE FAILURE BECAME EVER-PRESENT, WITH ADDIT…

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IN 2009, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A PASSENGER. THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT LIGHT SOMETIMES REGISTERED "OFF", EVEN WHEN PASSENGER WAS PRESENT. BECAUSE IT WAS INTERMITTENT, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. IN 2014, THE FAILURE BECAME EVER-PRESENT, WITH ADDITIONAL WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD, THE DRIVER INFORMATION SYSTEM, AND AN AUDIBLE WARNING CHIME ON IGNITION START. REPEATED CALLS TO GM HAVE HAD NO RESULTS. THE COMPANY LINE IS THAT THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THE PRODUCT LINE HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. THE COST OF REPAIR IS SUBSTANTIAL, APPROACHING $1,000, FOR AN AIRBAG SENSOR MODULE LOCATED BENEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT. ALTHOUGH A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE 2007 SATURN SKY AND PONTIAC SOLSTICE CARS, GM SAYS THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE DESERVING A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10704897

19,000 miles · Mar 22, 2015
Air Bags

CAR IS 2007 MODEL WITH <20,000 MILES AND HAS AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMING ON. THE CAR IS RARELY USED AND IS GARAGE KEPT. I SEE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS SAFETY PROBLEM ON THE SATURN SKY. GM SHOULD WARN THE PUBLIC OWNERS AND DO A RECALL TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10700984

13,500 miles · Feb 26, 2015
Air Bags

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR IN MY VEHICLE FAILED SHORTLY (2 MOS) AFTER ITS 'BUMPER-TO-BUMPER' WARRANTY EXPIRED. ANY PASSENGER IN THE CAR FACES ADDED RISK IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE OWNER'S COST TO FIX THIS ITEM IS PROHIBITIVE ($500 - $800), AND THAT THE EARLY FAILURE OF THIS PART IS SOMEWHAT C…

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THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR IN MY VEHICLE FAILED SHORTLY (2 MOS) AFTER ITS 'BUMPER-TO-BUMPER' WARRANTY EXPIRED. ANY PASSENGER IN THE CAR FACES ADDED RISK IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE OWNER'S COST TO FIX THIS ITEM IS PROHIBITIVE ($500 - $800), AND THAT THE EARLY FAILURE OF THIS PART IS SOMEWHAT COMMON FOR THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10690888

46,222 miles · Feb 11, 2015
Air Bags

5/14/12 46222 MILES VEHICLE INDICATED A "SERVICE AIR BAG" WARNING - TOOK VEHICLE TO COVERT BUICK DEALERSHIP SERVICE FOR DIAGNOSIS. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PASSENGER PRESENT MODULE WAS FAULTY AND IT WAS REPLACED. 2/10/15 84300 MILES VEHICLE IS AGAIN SHOWING "SERVICE AIR BAG" WARNING. AGAIN PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER PRESE…

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5/14/12 46222 MILES VEHICLE INDICATED A "SERVICE AIR BAG" WARNING - TOOK VEHICLE TO COVERT BUICK DEALERSHIP SERVICE FOR DIAGNOSIS. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PASSENGER PRESENT MODULE WAS FAULTY AND IT WAS REPLACED. 2/10/15 84300 MILES VEHICLE IS AGAIN SHOWING "SERVICE AIR BAG" WARNING. AGAIN PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER PRESENT MODULE. IT WAS CONVEYED THAT IF THIS MODULE IS NOT IN WORKING ORDER THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS MODULE IS POORLY MADE TO HAVE ANOTHER FAILURE IN LESS THAN 40,000 MILES. THE PASSENGER SEAT ON THIS CAR IS USED VERY INFREQUENTLY, NO SPILLS OF ANY KIND. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS PART. GM SHOULD TAKE ACTION TO AVOID INJURY OR FATALITY AT THEIR HANDS. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10682855

50,000 miles · Jan 14, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

2007 SATURN SKY HAD IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED MAY 2014 AT 49500 MILES. DECEMBER 2014 SERVICE AIRBAG CAME ON AT 50000 MILES. $ 900.00 TO REPLACE AT DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10672438

60,000 miles · Dec 28, 2014
Air Bags

DASHBOARD MESSAGE CENTER INDICATING A "SERVICE AIR BAG" MESSAGE WHEN CAR IS STARTED. RECEIVE THE MESSAGE EVERY TIME KEY IS TURNED ON... I UNDERSTAND FROM OTHER OWNERS OF THE SATURN SKY THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE RELATED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR. GM WILL NOT COVER THE COST TO REPLACE THE SENSOR, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A PART OF …

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DASHBOARD MESSAGE CENTER INDICATING A "SERVICE AIR BAG" MESSAGE WHEN CAR IS STARTED. RECEIVE THE MESSAGE EVERY TIME KEY IS TURNED ON... I UNDERSTAND FROM OTHER OWNERS OF THE SATURN SKY THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE RELATED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR. GM WILL NOT COVER THE COST TO REPLACE THE SENSOR, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A PART OF THE VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEM. THE FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A NORMAL "WEAR AND TEAR" COMPONENT AND/OR A PERIODIC MAINTENANCE ISSUE. GM HAS ISSUED RECALLS ON OTHER GM MODELS WITH THE SAME OR SIMILAR ISSUES, SO WHY NOT THE SATURN SKY. IT SEEMS GM NEEDS GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION AND/OR LAWSUITS, BEFORE IT WILL TAKE ACTION. AS A SKY OWNER I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE CONCERNED WHETHER OR NOT MY AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY, DUE TO A DEFECT IN A SAFETY SYSTEM. A CAR OWNER'S EXPECTATION IS THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL FUNCTION PROPERLY FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, JUST LIKE THE EXPECTATION THE SEAT BELT WILL FUNCTION PROPERLY DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668608

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2014
Air BagsSeats

AIRBAG SENSOR HAS FAILED FOR SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668364

Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2014
Air Bags

PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR IS BROKEN. I REPLACED IT ONCE AND THE ENTIRE SEAT ONCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10662470

74,000 miles · Dec 3, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN SKY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #10661953

Official recalls

4

17V061000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Jan 26, 2017

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. The Passenger Air Bag Suppression System (PPS) sensor may become bent or damaged within the front passenger seat, possibly disabling the front passenger air bag.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag does not deploy as intended, the front passenger has an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: The remedy for this recall is still under development. A permanent remedy is currently under development. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 17036.

14V171000 · Electrical System:ignition

Apr 10, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.

Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.

14V047000 · Air Bags; Electrical System:ignition:switch

Feb 10, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

Electrical System:ignition:switch

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

07V589000 · Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft:seal

Dec 20, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND POSSIBLY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PINION SEAL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM; AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM.

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

3

DP20002 · Hvac Blower Motor Connector

Opened Feb 7, 2020 · Closed Oct 27, 2022

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has completed its review of a Defect Petition received December 12, 2019 requesting an investigation into the possibility of passenger compartment fires attributed to overheating HVAC blower motor connectors in Model Years (MY) 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky vehicles.An analysis of General Motors (GM) complaint data and information in NHTSA?s databases identified thirteen unique vehicle identification numbers (VINs) with reported incidents that could pertain to blower motor overheating, smoking, or melting in the 90,938 MY2006-2010 Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice vehicles produced. Two of the thirteen cited incidents reported smoke and thermal damage that may be attributed to the HVAC blower motor although neither incident was confirmed through vehicle inspection. One incident, a MY2008 Saturn Sky with substantial field exposure from a frontal collision, could not have the root cause identified. The other, a MY2007 Pontiac Solstice, did not inform the manufacturer nor take the vehicle to a dealer for evaluation.Most of the 13 incidents reported an overheated or discolored connector with attendant loss of HVAC blower fan function. GM reported 354 warranty claims with the subject components for the Sky and Solstice, none of which included a report of fire and only one report of smoke. Over a period of ten to fourteen years in service, there are two reports of smoke or thermal damage.While the subject Sky and Solstice vehicles and the recalled Hummer H3 and H3T vehicles do share common components, the Sky and Solstice vehicles have demonstrated very different behavior and their HVAC system has a lower power draw than the recalled Hummer H3 and H3T vehicles. The recalled H3 and H3T vehicles generate over triple the failure rate of the Sky and Solstice vehicles. GM suggested in its response to the ODI?s information request that this difference was due to the larger interior volume of a recalled Hummer vehicle imposing a heavier electrical load and duty cycle on its HVAC blower. The duty cycle is defined as how long it takes for the vehicle to cool down enough before the HVAC blower motor fan speed is lowered or turned off completely.Additionally, due to the size differential between the Sky and Solstice vehicles and the recalled Hummer H3 and H3T vehicles, the parts have a different power draw. The Sky and Solstice vehicles, due to their smaller size, draw less wattage, which reduces the likelihood of a thermal event. This condition in the Sky and Solstice vehicles typically leads to an inoperable HVAC blower motor as opposed to a thermal event.Despite the commonality of parts in the Sky and Solstice vehicles with those that were the basis of a safety recall, the subject vehicles have not demonstrated a safety defect trend that would likely lead to a safety recall or merit further investigation by the ODI. The subject vehicles have a low rate of reported thermal events over the ten to fourteen years they have been in service with the most recent occurring in 2017 with no confirmed fires. The HVAC blower motor was not confirmed to be the root cause for either thermal event cited above.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA?s possession, information submitted by GM in response to an information request, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner?s allegation, NHTSA does not believe that the petition warrants a formal investigation at this time. Consequently, the petition is denied.The entire petition denial can be viewed in the October 14, 2022 Federal Register under DP20-002.(https://www.f

DP16001 · Passenger Sensing System Sensor Mat

Opened May 16, 2016 · Closed Apr 24, 2017

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition requesting the opening of an investigation into the air bag system on model year 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky, the subject vehicles.The petitioner raised the issue of failure of the Passenger Sensing System for the front passenger seating position.On January 26, 2017, General Motors filed a defect information report recalling the subject vehicles to address the issue raised by the petition.In view of the recall, ODI considers the petition moot and is closing the action.The closing of the petition does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.

PE07037 · Failure Of The Rear Differential

Opened Jul 17, 2007 · Closed Dec 27, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

ODI EVALUATED TWO DIFFERENT ALLEGED DEFECTS INVOLVING REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENTS DURING THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL TO ADDRESS ONE OF THE DEFECT CONDITIONS AND ODI HAS OPENED AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO CONTINUE ITS INVESTIGATION OF THE OTHER ALLEGED DEFECT. ON DECEMBER 19, 2007, GM SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA CONCERNING DEFECTIVE REAR AXLE PINION SEALS IN APPROXIMATELY 275,936 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2005-07 CADILLAC CTS, STS AND SRX VEHICLES AS WELL AS MY 2006-07 PONTIAC SOLSTICE AND MY 2007 SATURN SKY VEHICLES (RECALL 07V-589).ON STS AND SRX VEHICLES WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE, THE FRONT AXLE PINION SEAL ALSO DOES NOT MEET ALL OF GM'S SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.GM INDICATED THAT THE SEAL SUPPLIER MADE AN UNAUTHORIZED CHANGE TO THE PINION SEAL MATERIAL.LEAKING PINION SEALS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL LUBRICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN REAR WHEEL LOCK-UP AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. ON DECEMBER 7, 2007, ODI OPENED AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-017) TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS OF REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT FAILURE (E.G., FRACTURED REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER HOUSING OR REAR AXLE HALF SHAFTS) WHILE DRIVING IN APPROXIMATELY 7,600 MY 2004 THROUGH 2006 CADILLAC CTS-V VEHICLES.THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND VEHICLE DISABLEMENT AND IS NOT ADDRESSED BY RECALL 07V-589.ODI IDENTIFIED 35 COMPLAINTS (16 TO ODI AND 19 TO GM) AND 128 WARRANTY CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THIS CONDITION (SEE EA07-017 OPENING RESUME).THESE COMPLAINTS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY OF THIS CLOSING RESUME. THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY FIGURES GIVEN IN THIS RESUME ARE LIMITED TO THOSE THAT (A) ARE MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY A LEAKING REAR PINION SEAL; AND (B) RESULTED IN AN ALLEGATION OF A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING.THE DATA DO NOT INCLUDE ALL REPORTS OF SEAL LEAKAGE.