TIMING CHAIN BROKE ON THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING IT. *TR
2003 Saturn Vue
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Vue years
Owner complaints for the 2003 Saturn Vue are substantially higher than the model-year median of 276.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Vue years →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
482 reports with mileage · 140 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.
- Power Train. Review the 316 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 124 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
124 reportsPURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN AUGUST 2010 WITH 85000 MILES ON IT, ONE WEEK AFTER BUYING THE VEHICLE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WENT OUT. AROUND SIX MONTHS LATER THE COIL PACK WENT OUT, TWO MONTHS AFTER THAT THE FRONT BEARINGS WENT OUT. AT ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS THE TUMBLER IN THE IGNITION WENT OUT. AT ABOUT NINE MONTHS THE THERMOSTAT WENT…
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PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN AUGUST 2010 WITH 85000 MILES ON IT, ONE WEEK AFTER BUYING THE VEHICLE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE WENT OUT. AROUND SIX MONTHS LATER THE COIL PACK WENT OUT, TWO MONTHS AFTER THAT THE FRONT BEARINGS WENT OUT. AT ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS THE TUMBLER IN THE IGNITION WENT OUT. AT ABOUT NINE MONTHS THE THERMOSTAT WENT OUT. WE NOW ARE BEING TOLD THAT THE RACK AND PINION AND TRANSMISSION ARE BAD AT 116000 MILES AND LESS THAN 18 MONTHS SINCE OUR PURCHASE DATE. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES HAVING THESE SORT OF ISSUES. I ALSO HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE MAKER OF THE VEHICLE IN WHICH WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF. I FEEL THAT THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND IT SEEMS QUITE RARE THAT ONE WOULD HAVE SO MANY ISSUES WITH A VEHICLE IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. *TR
MY HORN STARTED BLOWING EARLY 1 MORNING AND I HAD TO DISCONNECT MY HORN THE SWITCH WENT OUT THE HORN SWITCH IS IN THE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY. THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 SATURN VUE. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE FAILURES WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO ACCELERATE ACCOMPANIED WITH A LOUD, HUMMING NOISE. THE HORN SENSOR WAS MELTED, CAUSING THE HORN TO MALFUNCTION AND SOUND CONTINUOUSLY. THE FUEL TANK WAS ALSO FRACTURED, CAUSING A FUEL LEAK …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE FAILURES WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO ACCELERATE ACCOMPANIED WITH A LOUD, HUMMING NOISE. THE HORN SENSOR WAS MELTED, CAUSING THE HORN TO MALFUNCTION AND SOUND CONTINUOUSLY. THE FUEL TANK WAS ALSO FRACTURED, CAUSING A FUEL LEAK AND FUMES TO FILL THE VEHICLE CABIN. THE MUFFLER WAS ABNORMALLY LOUD AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST FREQUENTLY WHEN ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN. IN ADDITION, THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. THE HAZARD LIGHT ACTIVATION BUTTON ALSO FRACTURED THEREFORE; THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UTILIZE THE HAZARD LIGHTS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO ALL OF THE FAILURES EXPERIENCED IN THE VEHICLE BUT NEITHER PROVIDED ANY ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
I HAVE AN 03 SATURN VUE WITH MULTIPLE ISSUES. I SHOULD HAVE COMPLAINED YEARS AGO BUT I AM ONLY NOW SEEING THE BLOGS REGARDING THIS DANGEROUS HIDEOUS VEHICLE. THE BACK WINDOW WIPER BLADES WORK WHENEVER, SPORADICALLY; THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS ARE INOPERABLE MOST OF THE TIME, THE BUTTON THAT TURNS THEM ON IS DEFECTIVE,;THE ELECTRICAL…
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I HAVE AN 03 SATURN VUE WITH MULTIPLE ISSUES. I SHOULD HAVE COMPLAINED YEARS AGO BUT I AM ONLY NOW SEEING THE BLOGS REGARDING THIS DANGEROUS HIDEOUS VEHICLE. THE BACK WINDOW WIPER BLADES WORK WHENEVER, SPORADICALLY; THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS ARE INOPERABLE MOST OF THE TIME, THE BUTTON THAT TURNS THEM ON IS DEFECTIVE,;THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM- CAUTION LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF;REDUCED POWER LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I HAVE HAD SOME CLOSE CALLS IN THIS VEHICLE AND I REALIZED IT SHOULD OF NOT BEEN ALLOWED TO BE ON THE ROAD. IT IS A DISASTER. WHY ARE OUR TAX DOLLARS BAILING OUT COMPANIES LIKE GM WHEN THEY MAKE SUCH DEFECTIVE, DEATH TRAPS AS THIS? SOMETHING IS TRULY WRONG HERE. RUN FROM THE SATURN VUE -HOPEFULLY IT WILL NOT BE ON THE ROAD MUCH LONGER BUT I JUST DON'T WANT TO BE ONE OF ITS CASUALTIES. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATE 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY THE ERUPTION OF FLAMES. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND HAD COMPLICATIONS OPENING THE DOOR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THE CONTACT WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATE 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY THE ERUPTION OF FLAMES. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND HAD COMPLICATIONS OPENING THE DOOR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THE CONTACT WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOW STATION AND WAS DECLARED AS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,072.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED WITH THE FLICKERING OF FOUR AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN TO OPERATE. THE FAILURES RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION OR NOT. THE VEHICLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN VUE. WHILE THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED WITH THE FLICKERING OF FOUR AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN TO OPERATE. THE FAILURES RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION OR NOT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.
BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) FAILURE WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND GAUGES. *TR
ALARM LIGHTS SUCH AS BRAKES, ABS, SERVICE, & SERVICE ENGINE SOON CONTINUES TO BE LIT ONCE THE CAR IS STARTED. THE GREEN LIGHT INDICATOR THAT IS SUPPOSEDLY CONSTANT IS NOW INTERMITTENTLY FLASHING. THE ODOMETER WENT BACK TO PRACTICALLY ZERO. THE GAS TANK INDICATOR IS ERRATIC, NOW IT'S ALMOST FULL WHILE A FEW WEEKS BACK, IT'S ON…
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ALARM LIGHTS SUCH AS BRAKES, ABS, SERVICE, & SERVICE ENGINE SOON CONTINUES TO BE LIT ONCE THE CAR IS STARTED. THE GREEN LIGHT INDICATOR THAT IS SUPPOSEDLY CONSTANT IS NOW INTERMITTENTLY FLASHING. THE ODOMETER WENT BACK TO PRACTICALLY ZERO. THE GAS TANK INDICATOR IS ERRATIC, NOW IT'S ALMOST FULL WHILE A FEW WEEKS BACK, IT'S ON EMPTY. *TR
WE WERE DRIVING TO WORK IN OUR 2003 SATURN VUE 5 SPEED, GOING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RPM'S STARTED TO GO UP AND DOWN WHEN WE LET OFF THE GAS AND WOULD STALL WHEN WE WOULD SHIFT. WE FIGURED IT OUT PRETTY FAST AND LOOKED FOR AN ON RAMP WHILE WE TRIED TO "PIGEON" FOOT THE GAS AND BRAKE TO PREVENT A STALL I…
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WE WERE DRIVING TO WORK IN OUR 2003 SATURN VUE 5 SPEED, GOING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RPM'S STARTED TO GO UP AND DOWN WHEN WE LET OFF THE GAS AND WOULD STALL WHEN WE WOULD SHIFT. WE FIGURED IT OUT PRETTY FAST AND LOOKED FOR AN ON RAMP WHILE WE TRIED TO "PIGEON" FOOT THE GAS AND BRAKE TO PREVENT A STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY, THEN POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND THE DASHBOARD LOST POWER, WE KNEW THAT SOMETHING WAS VERY VERY WRONG AND THAT IF WE DIDN'T' GET OFF THE FREEWAY, WE COULD BE IN SERIOUS TROUBLE IF THE ENGINE LOST POWER. WE SPOTTED AN OFF RAMP AHEAD AND WITH NO POWER STEERING AND NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS WE CROSSED 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC, JUST AS WE HIT THE OFF RAMP THE CAR STARTED TO SPUTTER (RPM'S GOING UP AND DOWN) EVEN WITH OUR FOOT ON THE GAS, WE LOST ALL POWER AND THE ENGINE QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND ALMOST GOT HIT BY A TRUCK COMING DOWN THE HILL. LUCKILY HE SWERVED AND MISSED ANOTHER CAR COMING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. WE PUSHED THE CAR TO AN INCLINE AND ROLLED THE CAR INTO A PARK AND RIDE WHERE MY HUSBAND TRIED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. HE FIGURED IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR SO WE HAD A FRIEND PICK ONE UP FOR US AND MEET AS THE PARK AND RIDE. HE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND AS USUAL FOR JUMP STARTING A CAR, WE TURNED OFF ALL ELECTRICAL DRAWS (RADIO, A/C, FAN ECT.) THE CAR STARTED UP, THE RPM'S FLUCTUATED BRIEFLY, THEN IT WAS OK. 2 WEEKS LATER THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY GOING 50 MPH, LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER AND TRY TO FIX IT AGAIN. SAME THING, TURNED OFF ALL ELECTRICAL, JUMPED THE CAR AND STARTED RIGHT UP. 3 WEEKS LATER THE RPM'S STARTED FLUCTUATING AND WE FIGURED OUT WE NEEDED TO PIGEON THE GAS AND BRAKE SO IT WOULDN'T STALL AND LIMPED IT HOME. SATURN SAYS IT'S THE BCM COMPUTER AND IT'S A "COMMON" PROBLEM. WE NOW HAVE TO PAY $700 HUNDRED DOLLARS AND FIND A WAY TO GET THE SATURN TO THE DEALERSHIP WITHOUT WRECKING. *TR
Official recalls
114V490000 · Electrical System:ignition
Aug 8, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2002-2004 Saturn Vue vehicles manufactured September 11, 2001, to April 6, 2004. In the affected vehicles, it may be possible for the key to 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: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle to see if the key can be pulled out when the ignition is off. If it can, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and keys, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14506. 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.
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
2PE06006 · 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).
PE04052 · Rear Suspension Toe Control Link
Opened Jul 22, 2004 · Closed Nov 1, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:rear
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING CERTAIN SEVERE DRIVING MANEUVERS.THE INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY NHTSA-CONDUCTED NCAP DYNAMIC ROLLOVER TEST INCIDENTS INVOLVING MY 2004 SATURN VUE VEHICLES AND ONE CONSUMER COMPLAINT THAT ALLEGED WHEN RECOVERING FROM A ROAD EDGE DEPARTURE, THE LEFT-REAR WHEEL OF A MY 2003 SATURN VUE ?BENT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE,? RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER CRASH.ODI ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE DURING THE NCAP TESTS WAS THE RESULT OF WHEEL RIM-PAVEMENT CONTACT TRANSMITTING SIGNIFICANT COMPRESSIVE FORCES TO THE TOE CONTROL LINK, THUS CAUSING IT TO BUCKLE.THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED DURING A SEVERE TEST USED TO ASSESS ROLL STABILITY.THE FORCES GENERATED DURING THIS TYPE OF WHEEL-RIM PAVEMENT CONTACT ARE MORE THAN SIX TIMES THE GREATEST FORCES MEASURED DURING GM?S MOST SEVERE VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION TESTING.ODI INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF CONSUMER COMPLAINT VEHICLES SHOWED THAT DAMAGE TO THE TOE CONTROL LINK APPEARED TO BE THE RESULT OF VEHICLE CRASHES AND DID NOT PRECIPITATE THE CRASHES.TO DATE, ODI IS AWARE OF NO VEHICLE CRASHES OR ROLLOVER INCIDENTS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ADDITIONALLY, THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO STRENGTHEN THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.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 A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT ATTACHED FOR FURTHER DETAIL.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING CERTAIN SEVERE DRIVING MANEUVERS.THE INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY NHTSA-CONDUCTED NCAP DYNAMIC ROLLOVER TEST INCIDENTS INVOLVING MY 2004 SATURN VUE VEHICLES AND ONE CONSUMER COMPLAINT THAT ALLEGED WHEN RECOVERING FROM A ROAD EDGE DEPARTURE, THE LEFT-REAR WHEEL OF A MY 2003 SATURN VUE ?BENT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE,? RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER CRASH.ODI ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE DURING THE NCAP TESTS WAS THE RESULT OF WHEEL RIM-PAVEMENT CONTACT TRANSMITTING SIGNIFICANT COMPRESSIVE FORCES TO THE TOE CONTROL LINK, THUS CAUSING IT TO BUCKLE.THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED DURING A SEVERE TEST USED TO ASSESS ROLL STABILITY.THE FORCES GENERATED DURING THIS TYPE OF WHEEL-RIM PAVEMENT CONTACT ARE MORE THAN SIX TIMES THE GREATEST FORCES MEASURED DURING GM?S MOST SEVERE VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION TESTING.ODI INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF CONSUMER COMPLAINT VEHICLES SHOWED THAT DAMAGE TO THE TOE CONTROL LINK APPEARED TO BE THE RESULT OF VEHICLE CRASHES AND DID NOT PRECIPITATE THE CRASHES.TO DATE, ODI IS AWARE OF NO VEHICLE CRASHES OR ROLLOVER INCIDENTS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ADDITIONALLY, THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO STRENGTHEN THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.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 A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT ATTACHED FOR FURTHER DETAIL.
Suspension:rear
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DURING CERTAIN SEVERE DRIVING MANEUVERS.THE INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY NHTSA-CONDUCTED NCAP DYNAMIC ROLLOVER TEST INCIDENTS INVOLVING MY 2004 SATURN VUE VEHICLES AND ONE CONSUMER COMPLAINT THAT ALLEGED WHEN RECOVERING FROM A ROAD EDGE DEPARTURE, THE LEFT-REAR WHEEL OF A MY 2003 SATURN VUE ?BENT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE,? RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER CRASH.ODI ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE DURING THE NCAP TESTS WAS THE RESULT OF WHEEL RIM-PAVEMENT CONTACT TRANSMITTING SIGNIFICANT COMPRESSIVE FORCES TO THE TOE CONTROL LINK, THUS CAUSING IT TO BUCKLE.THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED DURING A SEVERE TEST USED TO ASSESS ROLL STABILITY.THE FORCES GENERATED DURING THIS TYPE OF WHEEL-RIM PAVEMENT CONTACT ARE MORE THAN SIX TIMES THE GREATEST FORCES MEASURED DURING GM?S MOST SEVERE VEHICLE DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION TESTING.ODI INSPECTION AND ANALYSIS OF CONSUMER COMPLAINT VEHICLES SHOWED THAT DAMAGE TO THE TOE CONTROL LINK APPEARED TO BE THE RESULT OF VEHICLE CRASHES AND DID NOT PRECIPITATE THE CRASHES.TO DATE, ODI IS AWARE OF NO VEHICLE CRASHES OR ROLLOVER INCIDENTS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ADDITIONALLY, THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A VOLUNTARY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO STRENGTHEN THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.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 A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT ATTACHED FOR FURTHER DETAIL.
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