NHTSA Takes a Dim View of Old GM Headlights… Again
Following a raft of complaints, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has once again turned its attention to the headlights of pre-bankruptcy era General Motors vehicles. Apparently, the first two recalls for the exact same problem might not have culled all of the automaker’s wonky low beams.
The 312,000 vehicles involved in the NHTSA investigation span a fateful period for the automaker. While GM’s future at the time wasn’t bright, neither were its low beams. Owners have complained the lights can shut off unexpectedly, sending one driver on a date with a creek.
The vehicles involved in the investigation cover those not involved in the first recall, which included the 2005 and 2009 Buick Lacrosse, 2006 and 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy and Buick Rainier, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender and Saab 9-7X, and the 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix.
Owners have filed 128 complaints since the previous recall. After a 2014 recall was expanded in 2015, roughly 497,000 U.S. vehicles were returned to replace a headlight driver modul e that could overheat, leading to instant darkness in front of the vehicle. While the running lights and low beams seemed to be the only thing affected, new complaints broaden that picture.
One owner of a 2008 Pontiac G6 complained of the vehicle’s low and high beams both failing after functioning erratically for months. A 2004 TrailBlazer allegedly drove off the road and into a creek after its headlights failed at a very inopportune time, while a 2008 Grand Prix owner reported problems similar to the 2007 model.
NHTSA investigations don’t necessarily lead to a recall, but in this case it seems likely GM will be forced to address the issue.
[Image: General Motors]
More by Steph Willems
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"while a 2008 Grand Prix owner reported problems similar to the 2007 model." This 2008 owner is reporting his May 2007 assembled GP was affected by this issue. After dealing with a certain BPG in Robinson on the issue, who will never again have my business, I was more or less told to f*** off. Then after calling GM myself to alert them to the fact MY08 was accidentally left off the TSB I believe due to human error (look at the NHSTA bulletin, everything goes to MY08 or 09 inc the Lacrosse *except* the GP) and to warn them of the danger those owners face, I was pretty much ignored. The fix is a simple relay in the fuse box under the hood for under $30. I hope GM is crucified by NHSTA, and if their were deaths associated, I hope they get yuuuuge settlements (unlike the ignition victims). Oh and f*** you GM.
What ever happened to going out and buying better bulbs?
I wish they would do something about the brake lights of GM vehicles from the mid-1990s on up. I see so many TrailBlazer/Envoy/etc with only the CHMSL working. Same with the Venture/etc, Express/Savanna, and my own 1998 Lumina. I told a woman the other day when we were stopped at an intersection together that her brake lamps were not working on her Envoy. I believe its a turn signal switch, I know a friends Venture's tail lamps would go crazy when he tried to use both it and the brakes at the same time. It was like watching a little Christmas tree flashing on his van as I was following him home one day. To fix it in my Lumina, it was a switch inside the steering coulmn, which by design could not be disassembled to reach the failed module. You had to reach your hand up in there and feel for it. This was after it was completely removed from the car. Major PITA for what should've been an easy and quick repair. I have replaced ignition switches, turn signal switches, etc on various Ford products, never having to remove the entire steering column from the vehicle, nor having been unable to disassemble it enough to access the failed part.
Speaking of which (sort of) I've noticed two brands of automobiles that seem to suffer from having headlights flashing like strobes (usually one on side); Mercedes (a LOT) and Audi. Anyone else notice this?