Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH
02V070000GENERAL MOTORS CORP.from 04/01/1995 to 07/31/1996V (Vehicle)158994803/27/2002ODIGENERAL MOTORS CORP.03/06/200203/25/2002
Defect SummaryOn certain passenger vehicles. if the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the start position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch, and sometimes produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts.
Consequence SummaryIf the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed.
Corrective SummaryDealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch. owner notification began march 27, 2002. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, buick at 1-800-521-7300, or oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.
NotesCustomers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
73640402/01/199751306No start condition, generator may not be charging battery. *tw06/27/1997
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION
01084902012/01/2001631899Subject regarding revised ignition lock cylinder or ignition switch assembly replacement. *slc06/25/2002
77640302/01/199751301Engine miss (replace spark plug wire and ignition coil). *tw06/27/1997

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
08/04/200886000
 Tl*the contact owns a 1996 buick skylark. all of the gauges on the instrument panel were fluctuating up and down. neither the speedometer nor the fuel gauge displayed accurate readings. the dealer stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle and that the repair would be the contact's responsibility. the contact referenced nhtsa campaign id number 02v070000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). the current and failure mileages were 86,000.
04/10/2002110/14/1996
 The air bag warning light came on and the interior of the vehicle was wet. the dealers diagnosis indicated the sdm had failed. the air bag module deployed suddenly during normal diagnostic procedures because the sdm was wet and damaged and shorted out. *yh
01/10/1997
 While driving at any speed vehicle stalls, in for repairs, changed all parts, vehicle still continues to stall due to an electrical short. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION
05/11/20025110/01/2001
 Vehicle had nhtsa recall campaign number 02v070000 performed by the dealer, sam taylor buick cadillac, on 9&10 may 2002. since this time the vehicles' engine frequently shuts off immediately after starting. in each situation the car will immediately restart and shut-off. this action has repeated up to twenty five times with the same results. the vehicle also displays a constant theft system light (located on dash panel) when the vehicle fails to continue running. please note that the dealer stated this vehicle did not have a theft deterrant system when i purchased it. only a radio theft deterrant system. i also do not have the controller to remotely lock/unlock my doors, which is part of the theft system. the vehicle can only be started in park or neutral so the gear position switch is good. furthermore, the battery and alternator/charging system are good. seat belt interlocks do not effect ability to start or remain running. this problem never ocurred until the recall was performed. problem clears overnight and reocurrs after engine is warm. ignition switch, battery, alternator and starter connections are good without any corrosion. vehicle is at the dealers now. they suspect theft module may be bad. they have had the car four working days so far. a similair problem was noted in customer complaint number odi id 709641, but this ocurred proir to the recall campaign.has this problem been reported before?*ak
05/09/1998601/01/1997
 Since i bought the car 01/17/97, i have had numerous problems: emergenchy/parking brake pops out when parking the car and putting parking brake on, brakes fail to perform properly and brake pads wear down excessivly, dash board (check engine, abs, ets, seat belt light blinks when wearing and doesnt blink when not wearing occassionally, theft system light comes on but i do not have a theft system)and dome lights come on sparatically, sometimes the dome light comes on when car of off and no one near car, recall was performed since than it only happens about half as much. 5 days after purchasing car the key was stuck in ignition would not turn or come out, called buick they told me to jiggle the steering and manually push the car back and forth than try it, recently when it happened we tried for 3 hours and they suggested, as i quote gm road side assistance for us to pound on the key about 20 times like you were pounding a nail with a hammer we were stuck 50 miles from home and had to have car towed to nearest dealer. on the electrical sometimes the clock and radio stations will reset without battery touched or anything else touched, window motors go bad, while under warranty dealer replaced inside drivers side mirror bezel (only the inside plastic triangle part) cause it was coming off, the work order shows new part put in but they just stuck a bunch of epoxy in it and stuck the old one back on. when complaining constantly to the service mgr its usually you have a bad battery a fuse module at one time they changed the alarm module twice within a matter of 4 - 6 months leading me to believe that because lights are not on all the time, it happens sparatically that they are just replacing simple parts to show they repaired problem, sales manager said fuses and modules are commonly being replaced. twice while driving about 35 mpr, engine turned off and all lights came on, stearing locked. i hear clicking and/or rubbing sounds coming from front whleft s
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER
08/28/2007980001
 While on vacation we took a trip. on the way home at night all electricity devices started to die. i got off the highway the vehicle died and wouldn't start. i had it towed home and it hasn't started since. i turn the key and get nothing. when i turn the key on, the passlock system light is lit and never goes out. the battery is fully charged and i can start the car if i jump the starter but not from the key. all other electrical devices work fine. *jb
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE
08/14/2000
 At 28,000 miles vehicle had an intermittent restarting problem. vehicle been to an independent repair shop on two occasions, and at a dealer shop on two occasions, and both were unable to locate cause of problem. *ak the vehicle would not start several times. dealer replaced the alternator, fuel system but did not correct the problem. the computer and cluster are now being repaired as a cause of stalling. intake manifold gasket is leaking. *yh
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH
09/23/2003411/01/2001
 Nhtsa recall 02-v-070-000: if the engine failed to start and the driver would have to hold the key in the start position for an extended period, high currents flows through the ignition switch and sometimes produce enough heat to melt internal switch parts. after the vehicle was serviced for the recall, the vehicle experienced ongoing problems with the electrical system burning four starters. the consumer stated that the vehicle was running without a warranty. *ak *scc (this document is an add to) *jb
08/14/2002
 Nhtsa recall 02 v 070 000 concerning ignition switch: recall repairs were done, causing intermittent stalling / starting problem. this problem was not occurring until repairs were done at steve schmitt motor co. in greensville, il; phone# 618/664-2811. feel free to provide any further information.*ak
08/20/2002
 Nhtsa recall01 v 070 000/manufacturer's recall 02998 concerning ignition switch: dealer: sale auto mall in kinston, nc. phone# 252/522-3611 refused to honor recall until consumer agreed to pay for ignition switch replacement. manufacturer was notified. feel free to provide any further information.*ak
07/24/2002
 Consumer received a recall 02v070000 on ignition switch, and waited 1 month for remedy appointment. vehicle was repaired by dealer. about 2 weeks later, warning engine warning light illuminated on dashboard. vehicle was checked again by dealer, who determined that ignition switch was bad. consumer very concerned about possibility of fire. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - STARTER ASSEMBLY
09/23/2003411/01/2001
 Nhtsa recall 02-v-070-000: if the engine failed to start and the driver would have to hold the key in the start position for an extended period, high currents flows through the ignition switch and sometimes produce enough heat to melt internal switch parts. after the vehicle was serviced for the recall, the vehicle experienced ongoing problems with the electrical system burning four starters. the consumer stated that the vehicle was running without a warranty. *ak *scc (this document is an add to) *jb
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
 Whenever driving abs brake light would come on. radio would fail to work after turning it on. been to dealer & informed by mechanic that problem was electrical wiring. would need to break down wire component to locate the problem. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
07/26/20028
 After recall repairs were done on wire harness vehicle would start intermittently. vehicle been back to dealer on eight occasions ,and problem still reocurring. ph....*ak