Investigations
FRONT TURN SIGNAL/DRL FAILURE
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA04035 - closed, opened 2004-12-22 and involving the SATURN SATURN.
NHTSA investigation EA04035 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 2004-12-22 and currently closed. The subject of record is SATURN SATURN, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for SATURN. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2005-10-20 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
An Engineering Analysis like EA04035 is the deeper technical phase that follows a PE. NHTSA requests design, warranty, and field-failure data from the manufacturer, conducts its own testing when needed, and determines whether the evidence supports a safety defect finding that would compel a recall.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "THE COMBINATION FRONT TURN SIGNAL/DRL IN MY 2003 SATURN ION COUPES EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT EARLY-LIFE FAILURES DUE TO VARIOUS BULB QUALITY ISSUES DUE TO INADEQUATE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE. THIS PROBLEM TREND APPEARS TO HA..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related SATURN files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
THE COMBINATION FRONT TURN SIGNAL/DRL IN MY 2003 SATURN ION COUPES EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT EARLY-LIFE FAILURES DUE TO VARIOUS BULB QUALITY ISSUES DUE TO INADEQUATE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE. THIS PROBLEM TREND APPEARS TO HAVE DISAPPEARED AFTER THE FALL OF 2003. THE CHANGE OF LEAD WIRE MATERIAL NEAR THE START OF MY 2004 VEHICLE PRODUCTION APPEARS TO HAVE REDUCED THE FAILURE RATE FOR MY 2004 SATURN ION COUPES. ALTHOUGH OPERATING TEMPERATURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES' LAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE BELOW THE SOCKET MATERIAL MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE SPECIFICATION, THEY ARE ONLY SLIGHTLY BELOW THE SPECIFICATION. IN DECEMBER 2004, GM REDUCED THE VOLTAGE TO THE LAMP ASSEMBLY IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE TEMPERATURE IN THE ASSEMBLY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. WARRANTY CLAIMS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DO NOT INDICATE AN INCREASING TREND OVER TIME. WARRANTY CLAIM RATE OF SUBJECT VEHICLES (EXCLUDING EARLY MY 2003 CLAIMS) IS NOT SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN OTHER GM VEHICLES THAT USE COMBINATION TURN SIGNAL/DRLS. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME. 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 ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT.
About This Investigation Type
An Engineering Analysis (EA) is the in-depth phase following a Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA engineers conduct testing, collect data from manufacturers, and perform detailed technical analysis to determine whether a safety defect exists. An EA may lead to a voluntary recall by the manufacturer or, in rare cases, a mandatory recall order.
Other SATURN Investigations
Electric Power Steering Failure
Electric Power Steering Failure
OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES STICK UNLATCHED
TIMING CHAIN BREAKS, ENGINE STALL
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE-STALL
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.