2005 Saab 9-7X

The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the 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 reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.

On August 15, 2012 General Motors (GM) announced a regional recall action (12V-406) involving model year (MY) 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, Isuzu Ascender and MY2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the salt belt states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The recall remedy requires the inspection and repair or replacement of the master power window switch, which GM refers to as a driver door module (DDM). At the same time, GM implemented a special coverage program to replace failed DDMs for vehicles registered outside of these states. ODI was not satisfied with GM's exclusion of non-salt belt vehicles and continued its investigation. On June 13, 2013, GM submitted a related recall notification (13V-248) to reclassify the initial special coverage program into a safety recall for vehicles that were not previously repaired under special coverage.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Engineering Analysis EA12-004 on June 11, 2012 to further investigate allegations of DDM thermal incidents in model year (MY) 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. Thermal incidents involve cases where fire-related events such as smoke and melt are present. ODI has received 170 reports alleging a thermal event occurred. Complainants stated that the DDM melted and in some cases produced odor and/or smoke. Fourteen of these incidents led to a fire where visible flames were reported or the damage extended significantly beyond the DDM. In addition to the 170 reports listed above, ODI received 63 reports alleging the DDM acted erratically or became inoperative. In response to ODI's Information Request (IR), GM provided 619 unique consumer complaints that related to the alleged problem. Seventy-seven of those reports led to a fire with flame, and 4 reported injuries of smoke inhalation and/or slight burns from contact with hot switches. GM also submitted 20,400 warranty claims for replacement of the DDM, most of which involved inoperative switches. The problem condition is caused by fluids, such as rain water, entering the driver's door module and subsequently causing corrosion that could result in an electrical short in the printed circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. However, the electrical short may also cause overheating that could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke or in some cases fire with flame. The circuit board was redesigned and GM implemented the new design into vehicle production on May 14, 2007. All failures cited above occurred in vehicles produced before this build date (i.e., with the original design DDM). GM also reported that all MY 2006-2007 GMT360/370 platform vehicles and MY 2005 SAAB 9-7x vehicles utilized the same DDM and therefore ODI expanded the subject population to include these vehicles.This investigation is closed on the basis of GM's announcement of safety recalls 12V-406 and 13V-248. The ODI complaints cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID, see the attached list for ODI numbers.

The office of defects investigations (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by General Motors (GM) as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers.In total, there were 5,089 unique reports indicating an inaccurate fuel level reading while driving.General Motors stated that this condition occurs when the contacts of the fuel sensor wear prematurely.Most of the complaints indicated an empty fuel gauge reading after filling the tank.Less than 10 percent of theODI complaints involved an engine stall incident.During this investigation, GM developed a remedy procedure and issued special coverage bulletin instructing dealers to install a new design fuel level sensor.The bulletin was sent to dealers on August 10, 2011 and the owner letter mailing began on August 15, 2011.See the investigative file for copies of GM's bulletin and owner letter.This preliminary evaluation is closed.

The Office of Defects Investigation has received 668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.Of the 668 complaints, 58 incidents were alleged to result in a vehicle stall.Of the 58 stalling incidents, 43 complaints reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated more fuel availability than what is actually in the fuel tank. One complaint alleged a vehicle crash after the vehicle stalled while exiting the interstate, became disabled, and was struck from behind.Summarily, the complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with most complaints received within the past year.A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.

The contact owns a 2005 Saab 9-7X. The contact stated that the fog lights independently turned on and failed to turn off. Upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted, and the sound went away. The contact also stated that the rear suspension was sagging. There were no warning lights illuminated. Upon research, the contact located NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V406000 (Electrical System, Visibility). Several unknown local dealers were contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.

NHTSA ID

11704147

Incident

Dec 10, 2025

Mileage

177,000 mi

MANUFACTURER: GENERAL MOTORS LLC MFR'S REPORT DATE: AUG 15, 2012 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V406000 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA12004 COMPONENT: VISIBILITY, POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS WAS ADVISED IN 2015 THAT THE DRIVERS DOOR MODULE WAS UNDER RECALL AS A FIRE HAZARD. IT WAS REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT MODULE STARTED ON FIRE. THE LOCAL DEALER BLAMED 'RAIN WATER GETTING IN IT.' I ORDERED A BRAND NEW DDM THAT HAS NEVER SEEN THE ELEMENTS OR BEEN INSTALLED IN A CAR ' AND IT HAS THE SAME CORROSION THAT CAUSED MY FIRE! SEE PIC. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY THE LOCAL GMC AND CHEVY DEALERS BOTH SAY 'OH THAT'S A SAAB, WE CAN'T PROGRAM THAT.' THE NEAREST DEALER WILLING TO DO THIS WORK IS ZIMBRICK IN MADISON WISCONSIN. IT'S 150 MILES AWAY. THEY'RE STATING THEY CAN'T DO THE WORK A SECOND TIME UNDER THE CALL. THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY WINDOW SWITCH BEFORE THEY DID THE RECALL WORK, AND SUPPOSEDLY THE 'SUPERIOR' FIXED PART IN FACT CAUGHT ON FIRE. IF THIS WAS A TRAILBLAZER OR AN ENVOY THEY'D DO THE WORK BUT BECAUSE IT'S A SAAB THEY'RE BEING STUPID AND SAYING THEY CAN'T WORK ON SAAB'S. IT'S THE SAME THING. BOTTOM LINE: THE RECALL WORK DOES NOT MITIGATE THE FIRE HAZARD AND BRAND NEW REPLACEMENT MODULES HAVE THE SAME CORROSION THAT GM BLAMES ON 'WATER GETTING INTO THE DDM.' I CHALLENGE THAT NARRATIVE AND BELIEVE ALL THESE VEHICLES MAY STILL BE A FIRE HAZARD

NHTSA ID

11088922

Incident

Apr 12, 2018

Mileage

159,000 mi

THE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. I WAS DRIVING OUT OF MY GYM PARKING LOT AT 10PM. ON A ICY NIGHT. THEY WILL NOT TURN BACK ON. HOWEVER THE HIGHBEAMS, FOG LIGHTS SIDE MARKERS WORK. VERY DANGEROUS AND SAFETY IS DEFINITELY AT RISK NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF BUT FOR MY CHILDREN. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ON THE 2006 MODEL. SOMEONE MAY HAVE RECEIVED THE WRONG INFORMATION OR DISREGARDED THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS MODEL AS WELL. THIS REQUIRES ATTENTION ASAP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10939042

Incident

Dec 31, 2016

THE HEADLIGHTS JUST WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE HIGHBEAMS, FOG LIGHTS AND SIDE MARKERS WILL GO ON. THE HEADLIGHTSL TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING AS I WAS THANKFULLY JUST PULLING OUT OF MY STREET. HOWEVER IT IS A MAIN ST WITH ALOT OF ACTIVITY DURING CERTAIN TIMES THANKFULLY THAT WAS NOT ONE OF THEM.

NHTSA ID

10939031

Incident

Jan 1, 2017

MY FAMILY AND I WERE OUT ON A SATURDAY EVENING ON 6/11/16. WE STOPPED TO GRAB A SLICE OF PIZZA FROM ONE OF OUR FAMOUS DOWNTOWN PIZZA PLACES. AS WE SAT IN THE CAR EATING OUR PIZZA, WE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE VENTS AND DASH BOARD. WE IMMEDIATELY JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR. WELL, AFTER SMOKE, WE SAW FIRE. THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. THE HOOD, DASHBOARD, FRONT AND BACK SEATS MELTED LIKE A PIECE OF PAPER. MY WIFE AND YOUNG SON WERE IN THE CAR. THE CAR WAS PARKED ON A CITY STREET WHEN SMOKE/FIRE STARTED.

NHTSA ID

10876194

Incident

Jun 11, 2016

TAKATA RECALL SENSOR HAS GONE OFF AND WILL NOT TURN OFF.

NHTSA ID

10854128

Incident

Sep 1, 2015

Mileage

115,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE SET ON AUTOMATIC MODE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY WENT OUT AND I TRIED TO TURN THEM TO THE REGULAR ON POSITION AND THEY DID NOT COME ON, THE HIGH BEAMS DID NOT WORK EITHER. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND FROM WHAT I READ ON LINE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THE RECALL SHOULD INCLUDE MY 2005 MODEL AS WELL. OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES! (INSTRUMENT PANEL-GAGES) MOST TACKED OUT, ALSO SPEEDOMETER GAGE ISSUES (GETS STUCK AT ONE SPEED AND WHEN YU SLOW DOWN IT DOESN'T GO BACK DOWN BUT IF YOU GET BACK UP TO SPEED IT WILL CONTINUE TO CLIMB IE: SHOWING A FALSE SPEED OF 95-MPH BUT ACTUALLY ONLY GOING ABOUT 55-MPH.

NHTSA ID

10733342

Incident

Sep 5, 2014

Mileage

99,593 mi

AS I WAS DRIVING MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN OFF. THEY WILL NOT RESET OR COME BACK ON. FOG LAMPS AND HIGH BEAMS WORK FINE. I HAVE SEEN RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE IN THE 2006 MODEL. BUT IT SEEMS AS IF THE 2005 MODEL HAS THE SAME CONCERN.

NHTSA ID

10723839

Incident

Jun 7, 2015

Mileage

140,000 mi

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to Submit a Field Product Report (FPR) (U.S. and Canada Dealers Only).

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.