Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | ||||||
| PE08061 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 10/16/2008 | 04/08/2009 | TIMING CHAIN BREAKS, ENGINE STALL | ||
| On may 22, 2008, theoffice of defects investigation (odi) was petitioned by the north carolina consumers council (nccc) to broaden the scope of safety recall 07v-519, which was conducted by general motors corporation (gm) for model year (my) 2001 saturn l-series vehicles equipped with the l61 2.2l engine and built during a 4-month period from november 2000 through february 2001 (dp08-002). on october 16, 2008, odi granted dp08-002 and opened pe08-061 to investigate timing chain failures resulting in engine stall while driving (swd) in the saturn l-series vehicles equipped with l61 engines and that used the same design timing chain and timing chain lubrication system as the recalled vehicles.a redesigned timing chain and lubrication system were implemented late in my 2002 production (may 1, 2002).hence, the subject vehicles for this investigation are all my 2000 through 2002 saturn l-series vehicles equipped with 2.2l l61 engines and built prior to may 2002 that were not included in recall 07v-519. in this investigation, odi analyzed updated complaint and warranty claims data for timing chain failures resulting in incidents of engine stall while driving, which comprise slightly over half of all timing chain failures occurring in the subject vehicle population.odi's analysis of complaint and warranty data shows that vehicles produced with the subject timing chain and lubrication system experienced elevated failure rates when compared with the my 2002 through 2003 vehicles using the revised components.however, the analysis also showed that the my 2001 saturn l-series vehicles recalled in 07v-518 experienced a significantly higher rate of timing chain failures than the subject vehicles.the complaint rate for timing chain failures resulting in swd was approximately 5 times higher for the recalled vehicles,19.2 incidents per thousand vehicles (iptv), than for the subject vehicles, 3.7 iptv.the warranty claims rate for chain failures resulting in swd was over 3 times higher for the recalled vehicles, 2.4 percent, than for the subject vehicles, 0.7 percent.the complaint and warranty rates for the subject vehicles were similar to rates recorded in other recently closed investigations for conditions that could result in swd with no engine re-start, ea07-015 and ea07-018.analysis of all complaints, field reports and warranty claims found no allegations of crashes or injuries associated with the alleged defect in the subject vehicles after approximately 7 to 9 years in service. odi's analysis of the stalling incidents that have resulted from timing chain failures in the subject vehicles found that they can occur at any speed and almost always result in a no restart condition.these are generally considered to be factors that increase the severity of stalling incidents.however, analysis of swd failure rates in the subject vehicles show that they have occurred at much lower rates than were observed in the recalled population.in addition, the swd complaint and warranty rates for the subject vehicles are similar to rates observed in prior investigations involving similar categories of engine stall consequences that were closed with no action.further investigation of this matter would not be an efficient allocation of agency resources.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 continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action if warranted. | ||||||
| DP08002 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 06/18/2008 | 10/16/2008 | TIMING CHAIN FAILURE-STALL | ||
| On june 6, 2006, odi opened an investigation of timing chain failure resulting in engine stall while driving with no restart in approximately 20,514 model year (my) 2001 saturn l-series vehicles equipped with 2.2l engines (l61) built from november 2000 through february 2001 (ea06-009).the vehicles built during those months exhibited higher failure rates than similarly equipped vehicles built before and after.gm introduced a new timing chain design in production in may 2002.odi closed its investigation after gm initiated a safety recall on november 7, 2007 (recall 07v-519). on may 22, 2008, the north carolina consumers council (nccc) submitted a defect petition to odi requesting the expansion of recall 07v-519 to include all my 1999 through 2003 saturn l-series vehicles with 2.2l engines using the same timing chain design as the recalled population.the petition states that the nccc continues to receive complaints from consumers that have had a timing chain fail in vehicles built outside the production range covered by the recall.the petition also notes that odi has continued to receive complaints.since the closing of ea06-009 odi has received 80 new complaints from consumers who had a timing chain fail in a my 2000 through 2002 saturn l-series with the 2.2l engine that were not covered by recall 07v-519 and were built prior to the timing belt change in may 2002.the complaints describe the same failure mode as the recalled population where the timing chain can break suddenly and without warning, resulting in engine damage and loss of motive power.the defect petition has been granted. a preliminary evaluation (pe08-061) has been opened. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||
| 11/28/2011 | 50000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2000 saturn l series. the contact stated that in the attempt to start the vehicle, the warning lights would illuminate on the instrument panel and the vehicle would not start. the dealer diagnosed that the there was no compression taking place, causing the vehicle to stall. the manufacturer was notified, but the recall associated with nhtsa campaign id number 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling), did not include the vin. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileages were 50,000. | |||
| 11/28/2011 | 50000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2000 saturn l series. the contact stated that in the attempt to start the vehicle, the warning lights would illuminate on the instrument panel and the vehicle would not start. the dealer diagnosed that the there was no compression taking place, causing the vehicle to stall. the manufacturer was notified, but the recall associated with nhtsa campaign id number 07v519000 (engine and engine cooling), did not include the vin. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileages were 50,000. sm. | |||
| 11/28/2011 | 50000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2000 saturn l series. the contact stated that in the attempt to start the vehicle, the warning lights would illuminate on the instrument panel and the vehicle would not start. the dealer diagnosed that the there was no compression, causing the vehicle to stall. the manufacturer was notified, but the nhtsa campaign id number: 07v519000 ( engine and engine cooling) recall did not associate the vin. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileage was 50,000. nw | |||
| 12/15/2009 | 125000 | 1 | |
| I started the car and backed out of the driveway when a put it in forward it stalled. it started again and i drove to my destination. it also started again and i was able to return home. while i was driving to and from my appointment i could not maintain speed going up hills on the highway. when i went to start the car the next day it turned over but did not start. from there on it would not turn over at all. my mechanic says there no compression on any of the cylinders and it is most likely the timing chain. *tr | |||
| 03/31/2009 | 110000 | 1 | |
| I have a 2000 saturn l series sedan. the timing chain is making a horrible racket and our mechanic informed us that it must be replaced at a cost of about $1,200. if we don't replace it, the chain could break, cause further damage to the engine and could leave us stranded or even on the highway with no way to get out of heavy traffic. i've noticed that the nhtsa administration has a recall campaign number of 07v519000 (and action number - ea06009) under which saturn was required to issue a recall for 2001 model year l series sedans with this very same issue. i don't see why my car should not be included as well since it is the exact same issue and could cause the exact same dangerous situation. the only difference appears to be that the recall is limited to model year 2001 and my car is a 2000. the two cars probably even use the same timing chain. i'm asking that the recall be extended to cover my car, which seems only fair as it is the same issue on a very, very similar car. *tr | |||
| 02/05/2009 | 1 | ||
| Timing chain broke and engine had to basically be rebuilt. *tr | |||
| 02/28/2009 | 80000 | 1 | |
| I went to start my 2000 saturn and it did not start. there was no problem or warning the day before, saturn of ramsey said the timing chain broke and caused other engine problems and quoted a price of almost 3,000. after reading information on the internet including information from you, i called gm. they said all the information on the internet was bogus and not true. they said they would offer no help. i always did regular oil changes. i need help please..thank you. *tr | |||
| 01/25/2009 | 78000 | 1 | |
| 2000 saturn l-series timming chain broke engine no good. *tr | |||
| 01/11/2009 | 89000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saturn l series. the contact stated that the vehicle would not start and was towed to a local repair shop. the mechanic stated that the timing chain led to engine failure. the vehicle was repaired at the cost of $2,300. the failure and current mileages were 89,000. | |||
| 11/26/2008 | 159263 | 1 | |
| My mechanic gave me information about a recall that is being done on 2000 and up saturns on the timing chain, however saturn has yet to accept that as a recall. i spoke with someone from nhtsa and they directed me to saturn who again directed me back here to file a complaint. i would like to know if this is going to be recalled. *tr | |||
| 07/02/2008 | 93000 | 1 | |
| I have been informed by my reliable, caring mechanic that my timing chain is about to go out and not to drive any distances or it could be dangerous. i have taken proper care of my car with regular oil changes. this part should last the lifetime of my car. i cannot afford to fix it and fear the danger of driving it. *tr | |||
| 08/30/2007 | 99230 | 08/01/2005 | |
| Was driving down a busy interstate at 70mph when i started to hear a loud noise (while pressing the gas down) and lost power. when i had the car looked out i was told the timing belt had broke and probably caused further damage to the engine. new engine was quoted at $3,000. | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 09/02/2008 | 80000 | 1 | |
| 2000 saturn l series with 80,000 miles has damaged timing chain. *tr | |||
| 09/22/2006 | 103780 | 1 | 07/04/2004 |
| Dt*: the contact stated while accelerating from a stop sign at 10 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. the vehicle was towed to the independent shop who determined that both timing chains were fractured. the parts were replaced; part no. rc1031. also, the mechanic observed that when the timing chain fractured it ruined all the oil valves and seals. as a result, a new oil valve and seals had to be replaced as well. the manufacturer was not notified. | |||