1997 Saturn EV1: complaints, problems and recalls

EVI VEHICLE IS ON RECALL BECAUSE A DEFECT IN THE CHARGE PORT COULD CAUSE TO OVERHEAT (00V-069), HOWEVER CONSUMER IS NOT HAPPY WITH IT. YH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 551566 at NHTSA ↗

VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A CHARGE PORT ASSEMBLY PRIOR TO RECALL THAT MAY FAIL DURING A CHARGING EVENT (00V-069), RECALL DOES NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. YH (ATTORNEY AT LAW)

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 551790 at NHTSA ↗

THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH A CHARGE PORT ASSEMBLY THAT MAY FAIL DURING A CHARGING EVENT, RECALL ISSUED HOWEVER OWNER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RECEIVE NEW VEHICLE AT THIS TIME, RECALL SOLUTION IS NOT SUFFICIENT. *ET

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 553152 at NHTSA ↗

SOMETIMES WHEN THE HEATER WAS RUNNING, I HEARD A POP NOISE FROM LEFT FRONT AREA OF THE CAR. WITH OUT WARNING OR ENGINE LIGHTS. WHILE CHARGING UP ELECTRICAL BATTERY VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK.ET.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 857358 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2000-03-03 (March 3, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: GENERATION 1 ELECTRIC PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A CHARGE PORT ASSEMBLY THAT COULD FAIL DURING A CHARGING EVENT.

Consequence: HEAT COULD BUILD UP WITHIN THE CHARGE PORT AND A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Remedy: THESE PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE REPURCHASED BY SATURN/GM.

Reported: 2000-11-13 (November 13, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH WHEEL SPEED CIRCUITRY IN THE BRAKE TORQUE CONTROL MODULE (BTCM) WHICH CAN CEASE TO OPERATE PROPERLY.

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL EXHIBIT ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING: A LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE ASSIST, A DISABLED REAR BRAKE SYSTEM, A DISABLED ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM, AND/OR A DISABLED REGENERATIVE BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS COULD INCREASE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL AND VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BTCM, THE BALLSCREW ASSEMBLIES IN THE BRAKE PRESSURE MODULATOR VALVE, AND INSTALL NEW SOFTWARE.

Reported: 1997-03-20 (March 20, 1997)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A DRIVE MOTOR CHARGER RECEPTACLE ASSEMBLY THAT WAS INCOMPLETELY SEALED. INCOMPLETE SEALING CAN ALLOW WATER TO INTRUDE INTO THE CIRCUIT BOARD.

Consequence: DURING CHARGING A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD OCCUR. AN ARC AT THE SHORT CIRCUIT CAN GENERATE ENOUGH HEAT TO CREATE SMOKE AND/OR A FLAME. IF A FLAME OCCURS, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVE MOTOR BATTERY CHARGER RECEPTACLE ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY.

Reported: 1997-07-01 (July 1, 1997)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A DAMAGED O-RING IN THE BRAKE PRESSURE MODULATOR VALVE SOLENOID(S) ON THE BRAKE PRESSURE MODULATOR. INVOLVED VEHICLES CAN DEVELOP AN EXTERNAL BRAKE FLUID LEAK IN ONE OR BOTH OF THE BRAKE PRESSUREMODULATOR VALVE SOLENOIDS.

Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD REDUCE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SOLENOID(S) ON THE BRAKE PRESSURE MODULATOR.

Reported: 1998-07-28 (July 28, 1998)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC VEHICLES. A TRANSISTOR WITHIN THE BRAKE TORQUE CONTROL MODULE (BTCM) CAUSES AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM."

Consequence: AS A RESULT, VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE ASSIST, INCREASING THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, AND VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE TORQUE CONTROL MODULE.