Chevrolet, GMC and 5 others recall query RQ17002
Loss of Headlights. NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened this recall query about the headlights on 53 model years (2002–2009). Opened Apr 24, 2017, closed Mar 29, 2021 after 3.9 years without a recall. closed
What NHTSA says
Source: Office of Defects Investigation, as filedThe 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.
A Recall Query is a look at a recall that already exists — whether its remedy works, whether it reached every vehicle it should have, whether the manufacturer met its obligations. The summary is the agency’s own text from its investigation file, unedited; the opening and closing resumes with the full reasoning are on NHTSA’s site under this number.
What this means for an owner
Source: and what happens nextAn investigation is not a finding that a defect exists, and it puts no duty on anyone. NHTSA opens a Preliminary Evaluation when complaints and other reports suggest a condition worth asking the manufacturer about; it upgrades to an Engineering Analysis when the answers warrant testing; it closes either when it recommends a recall, when the manufacturer recalls on its own, or when no defect trend is found. The agency’s own goals are about four months for a petition, eight for a Preliminary Evaluation or a Recall Query and eighteen for an Engineering Analysis; many run longer.
This one is closed. A recall query ends with NHTSA’s finding on the recall it examined — the remedy stands, is widened, or a new campaign follows; the file names the recall it concerned and NHTSA’s closing resume carries the reasoning.
Model years it names
Source: as NHTSA filed themAlso named: 2006 Buick Lacrosse; 2007 Buick Lacrosse; 2008 Buick Lacrosse; 2004 Buick Rainier; 2005 Buick Rainier; 2006 Buick Rainier; 2007 Buick Rainier; 2003 Chevrolet SSR; 2004 Chevrolet SSR; 2005 Chevrolet SSR; 2006 Chevrolet SSR; 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer; 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer; 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer; 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer; 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer; 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer; 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer; 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer; 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT; 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT; 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT; 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT; 2002 GMC Envoy; 2003 GMC Envoy; 2004 GMC Envoy; 2005 GMC Envoy; 2006 GMC Envoy; 2007 GMC Envoy; 2008 GMC Envoy; 2009 GMC Envoy; 2002 GMC Envoy XL; 2003 GMC Envoy XL; 2004 GMC Envoy XL; 2006 GMC Envoy XL; 2004 GMC Envoy XUV; 2005 GMC Envoy XUV; 2003 Isuzu Ascender; 2004 Isuzu Ascender; 2005 Isuzu Ascender; 2006 Isuzu Ascender; 2007 Isuzu Ascender; 2008 Isuzu Ascender; 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada; 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada; 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada; 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix; 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix; 2005 Saab 9-7X; 2006 Saab 9-7X; 2007 Saab 9-7X; 2008 Saab 9-7X; 2009 Saab 9-7X.
A vehicle page’s investigation list carries the same action; a name here is the scope NHTSA opened, not a list of affected VINs.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationIs RQ17002 a recall?
No. A recall query is NHTSA asking questions, not a recall. A safety recall carries an NHTSA campaign number and a duty to repair for free; this one closed without one. Whether one particular vehicle has an open recall is a VIN question at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is RQ17002 still open?
No. It closed on Mar 29, 2021 without a recall.
Which vehicles does RQ17002 cover?
NHTSA opened it on 53 model years: 2006 Buick Lacrosse, 2007 Buick Lacrosse, 2008 Buick Lacrosse, 2004 Buick Rainier, 2005 Buick Rainier, 2006 Buick Rainier and more. That is the scope of the inquiry, not a list of affected vehicles; a recall, if one follows, defines its own population by VIN.