[Wednesday 4:11 PM] Rosales, Denise CTR (NHTSA) The contact owns a 2007 Saturn Vue. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to engage in hybrid mode the morning after being purchased. In addition, the vehicle failed to start and maintain battery power. The vehicle was towed to 2 different independent mechanics and 1 independent mechanic who came to the residence where it was diagnosed that the vehicle did not have hybrid functions possibly due to the battery failing to maintain power. The contact stated the battery was replaced however the failures remained present. An appointment with the dealer was scheduled to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 66,000.
No injuries · No fire · No crash
I was driving and pulled up to get some gas and put my car in park it just stop and turned off and I haven’t been able to get it back on. Went and saw a mechanic and he said it was the timing chain on the car it only had 97,000 miles on it and it would shake while I’m in ideal
I was driving on the highway, on the way to the beach with my family and our pup! We heard a pop and thought maybe it was the tire but the engine began smoking. I pulled the vehicle over as safely as possible. I popped the hood and there was a fire. Everyone evacuated the vehicle as quickly and safely as possible. I was the last to get out of the vehicle. Within minutes the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames. We stood there and watched the only vehicle we have completely burn up. I cried and I watched my kids cry. What was supposed to be a beach day for us to distress and relax turned into us almost losing our lives on the highway. We are thankful for the state trooper, the fire department, and the paramedics who all arrived on scene and kept my family safe. Im thankful our lives weren’t lost. However we still faced a life or death situation today.
Key is easily removable when in on position. Also difficult to turn from lock position.
No injuries · No fire · No crash
The brackets welded to the frame of the vehicle holding the steering knuckle/subframe together was designed in a very poor way. This design issue causes the vehicle to collect excess moisture in a way that is difficult if not impossible to drain, resulting in eventual rust build up in this area of the vehicle at an increased rate. Additionally, this section of the frame did not use thick enough steel, resulting in this bracket rusting off much quicker than the age of this vehicle should allow. This resulted in the engine dropping about an inch and a half, damage to the suspension, gasket and valve cover leaks, damaged wheel hubs, and general inoperability of the vehicle due to unsafe conditions created. It's unsafe driving condition has been confirmed by the lead mechanics at our GM Dealership, and is currently undergoing inspection by GEICO for a possible total loss claim. No indications were given other than excessive wear on the wheel hubs shortly before the engine dropped and the corner of the frame rusted/broke off. We live in a salt state yes, but the poor design of this frame is to blame and should be recalled for total replacement by the manufacturers due to the incredible safety risk that this poses to the public.
No injuries · No fire · No crash