NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Engineering Analysis EA08-026: Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
- Closed
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened Engineering Analysis EA08-026 on December 22, 2008 and closed it on June 4, 2010. NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2003–2006 Saab 9-3 for it.
Updated daily from NHTSA's investigations file
Key facts
- NHTSA number
- EA08-026 (also written EA08026)
- Investigation type
- Engineering Analysis A more detailed stage of a defect investigation, opened when NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation decides an issue merits further review, often after a Preliminary Evaluation or a Recall Query; it can include vehicle testing, surveys and further information requests.
- Status
- Closed June 4, 2010
- Opened
- Closed
- Vehicle or equipment manufacturers
- General Motors, LLC; SAAB CARS USA, INC.
- Component
- Suspension — Front — Springs — Coil Springs
- Vehicles and equipment
- 2003–2006 Saab 9-3
A recall appears here only when NHTSA's investigations file links one to the investigation; NHTSA's summary or record can name others.
NHTSA's summary
As NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation wrote it for Engineering Analysis EA08-026.
try.vin does not copy NHTSA's investigation documents; NHTSA's investigation record lists the ones NHTSA has published.
To date, ODI is aware of 142 non-duplicative complaints related to the alleged defect.
In addition, ODI is aware of 2,626 subject vehicles with one or more warranty claims related to the alleged defect.
In total, ODI is aware of 2,714 unique subject vehicles that have experienced one or more front suspension coil spring fractures.
ODI is not aware of any crashes or injuries related to the alleged defect.
The engineering design and testing data supplied by GM, along with the frequency of consumer complaints and warranty claims related to the alleged defect, tends to support the position that, in general, the coil springs that fractured on many subject vehicles did not achieve the expected service life.
However, in regard to the subject vehicles, a front suspension coil spring fracture itself has little safety consequence, as evidenced by the minimal impact on vehicle ride and handling and by the number of drivers who were unaware of the failure condition for some time until alerted by service personnel.
The ratio of tire punctures to coil spring fractures appears low and there are no reports of crashes, deaths or injuries related to the alleged defect. A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and 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 continue to monitor this issue and will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
See the EA08-026 Engineering Analysis Closing Report for more details.
Vehicles and equipment listed for this investigation
NHTSA's investigations file lists these vehicles and equipment for Engineering Analysis EA08-026. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. Model years with a try.vin recall page link to that page's NHTSA investigations section.
Saab
All Saab recallsWhat an NHTSA investigation is
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) looks into possible safety defects in vehicles and equipment, often after owner complaints. An investigation usually starts as a Preliminary Evaluation, or as a Recall Query when it concerns whether an existing recall covers the right vehicles or fixes the problem, and ODI can upgrade it to a more detailed Engineering Analysis. A Defect Petition asks NHTSA to open an investigation, and Audit and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations into whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules.
An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
To see whether a specific vehicle has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Free VIN check: decode a VIN to see its year, make and model.
Sources
NHTSA's investigation record for EA08-026
Investigation details come from NHTSA's investigations file, which try.vin imports once a day. The investigation types are described from the U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General's May 2023 report on NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation, NHTSA's petition rules (49 CFR Parts 552 and 557) and NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation procedures. How try.vin reads NHTSA investigations.