General Motors has temporarily halted sales of its critical Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia crossovers. The company said in hastily put together communiqué to dealers it was issuing an “immediate stop” of all sales of the vehicles. GM did not specify a reason for the action, but said more details would follow.
The Message: “Attnntion ALL Saturn Retailers and GMC Dealers [...] This is to advise Saturn Retailers and GMC Dealers that we are issuing an immediate stop sale on all Saturn OUTLOOK models and GMC Acadia models in dealer inventory as well as in transit to the dealer. In order to maintain our momentum and successful launch of these prodects, we are evaluating potential enhancement and inventory upgrade to the vehicles. More details will be forthcoming on Monday, December 11, 2006. [...] Thank you for your immediate attention and cooperation in this matter.”
Update: LLN reader David Roen reports the pseudo recall is the result of an exhaust system rattle. Stay tuned…



12/11, 11:01 AM
posted by:
BAMF
wtf
12/11, 11:03 AM
posted by:
BrokenCadillac...
Oops
12/11, 11:09 AM
posted by:
Scott Kempton
I can only guess what “potential enhancement” and “inventory upgrade” means.
I suspect it’s a manufacturing/quality issue that was just discovered. But whatever it is, assuming it’s fixable, I applaud GM for taking the time to do it right. The world has lived without this particular crossover for many millenia; I’m sure it’ll survive without it for a few more days/weeks.
12/11, 11:11 AM
posted by:
nikee
“Attnntion: prodects of GM may be hastily put together, just like this communiqué.”
12/11, 11:13 AM
posted by:
century24
Why do I get the feeling someone made up this story? Spelling and grammatical errors aside, it just doesn’t make any sense.
12/11, 11:14 AM
posted by:
peter g
Abandon ship!
12/11, 11:16 AM
posted by:
meanpants555
Does that mean that when you drive one, it could go KA-BLAMMO?
12/11, 11:24 AM
posted by:
Renton
GM should do this more often. They’re doing the general public a favor.
Why did they not do this for the Aztek?
12/11, 11:31 AM
posted by:
BrokenCadillac...
They did the same when the GMT360 Trailblazer copies came out. They told owners to stop driving and have their brand new vehicles towed to their nearest dealers to have faulty A-arm castings replaced that could snap unexepectedly.
I think it’s time for another Road to Redemption campaign Let buyers know that everything built after December 11, 2006 is better than the crap from the past
12/11, 12:14 PM
posted by:
1952 MG TD
It’s because the doors shut with a ****ty noise and feel like crappy quality
12/11, 12:31 PM
posted by:
bcjohnso99
It says on the front page that it is due to a rattle in the exhaust.
Earlier this year, Mazda did the same thing with the Mazda5. In that case it was because the cars were catching on fire.
Perspective children, is what most of you GM haters need….
12/11, 12:54 PM
posted by:
1952 MG TD
what are perspective children and where can i get me some?
12/11, 1:17 PM
posted by:
bcjohnso99
“Perspective” is not an adjective but rather a subjective completion of what the children need. To write it in a simpler format for the children:
GM haters need to get a little perspective.
12/11, 1:33 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
Then “perspective” should be followed by a comma to clarify your address.
12/11, 1:44 PM
posted by:
BrokenCadillac...
No GM hater here. Just a very disappointed owner…
A stop order on brand new SUV’s does not bode well for GM’s supposed “renaissance” towards better quality and reliability but I would predict these are probably going to hold up better than past products like my SRX.
12/11, 1:47 PM
posted by:
90Z
Maybe it’s a supplier issue. They could have found a quality problem & alerted GM to it. Who knows? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
12/11, 1:57 PM
posted by:
buenos
Kudos to GM for catching it early, but this is not going to help the “perceived quality” issue that GM has with the public. Perceived… right.
12/11, 2:01 PM
posted by:
Kenny W
Would a simple exhaust rattle necessitate such an action? If that’s really all this is about then I applaud GM for taking such drastic measures to fix a quality flaw. Lets hope that they do this more often and even better if they catch the mistakes sooner. With all the positive press the Lambdas have been getting though I doubt this will effect their sales any.
12/11, 2:08 PM
posted by:
BrokenCadillac...
They could say the problem is with a cupholder. Doesn’t mean it isn’t more serious. Usually if it has a Stop sales order it is something just a wee bit more serious…
Maybe something with the new, yet untested in the real world Automatic trannies?
12/11, 2:51 PM
posted by:
chris2
t’s because the doors shut with a ****ty noise and feel like crappy quality.
1952, have you even been in one?
Doors sound great closing. Perhaps you should go try one and get an opinion of your own.
An exhasust rattle can be very loud and disconcerting because it sounds like something is loose beneath the car and the driver may feel his wheels/suspension is falling off. Very scary and not something anyone, even GM (Broken Caddy would say), would like their customers to feel.
Where is the issue from? Because it is at the very start it could be the source (welded on piece system) revised something after pilot and it got too close to something. We will find out. Good thing is that GM continues to prove that quality is improving and very important.
Perceived? OK which has better quality today: Camry or Impala?
12/11, 3:19 PM
posted by:
buenos
Perceived. Read the article posted on the Opel Crossover item. The Impala may very well have better initial quality than the Camry (it ought to, it’s been essentially the same car for the past… how many? years, and by now they should have it right). However, a reputation is a hard thing to change, and GM has a reputation for low quality. All I am saying is.. GM.. good for you for catching this, however, too bad you didn’t catch it BEFORE you started selling the vehicle, because stuff like this does not help in the perception of quality.
12/11, 3:22 PM
posted by:
chris2
They did catch it before they started selling the vehicles. In dealerships but none in customer hands yet.
12/11, 3:28 PM
posted by:
LamborghiniZ
Patheric GM.
12/11, 3:34 PM
posted by:
bun_a_gm
Why anyone would buy a GM in the first place is beyond me.
12/11, 3:40 PM
posted by:
1952 MG TD
I really wish that the idiot above would stop using my name. Seriously, how retarded are you that you have to steal a screen name and aren’t original enough to come up with your own. I thought LLN put the usernames and registration in to stop this stupid crap… I see that worked for all of a month.
the REAL 1952 MGTD has never been in these, but does like them and think they are going to be class leaders (vs Pilot, Veracruz, etc)
12/11, 3:54 PM
posted by:
MHW
If this was one of the favored imports I suppose the tone would be how this shows there commitment to quality. Its not uncommon to have a few gliches with a new model, import or domestic.
12/11, 3:59 PM
posted by:
Fatstrat
Thanks for clarifying that 1952MG. I was wondering if that was the case.
I also add kudos to GM for this move. I think it shows maturity and confidence. They could have easily just tried to keep it quiet and fix them after the fact. Puts all the naysayers who think GM doesnt give a crap about quality to rest.
12/11, 4:03 PM
posted by:
1952 MG TD
^^^^LOL at the REAL 1952 MG TD
12/11, 4:05 PM
posted by:
1952 MG TD
The Doors on these three don’t close with the proper authority, it feels ****ty and i have been in the Outlook and the Acadia
12/11, 4:06 PM
posted by:
1952 MG TD
case in point. This crap is just annoying.
12/11, 4:19 PM
posted by:
MHW
The new Tundra has been delayed twice now, I don’t hear much whining about that.
12/11, 4:47 PM
posted by:
meanpants555
I think GM needs a hug and then sent to bed without supper.
12/11, 6:26 PM
posted by:
evad
Turns out that the retailers need to check the tightnes of the nut on the spare tire wrench to avoid any squeaks at the time of delivery. And the person who states the doors do not close properly could not have driven, riden for 300 miles over the weekend in the vehicle. I had 6 adults ride 60 miles in this vehicle and none of them could believe how quiet, smooth and easy to use the vehicle was for $28,000. Clearly a winner. evad
12/11, 7:16 PM
posted by:
Ricardo Head
Tightening a nut is …”evaluating potential enhancement and inventory upgrade to the vehicles”..???
.
Busting a nut, maybe, but tightening?
12/11, 8:30 PM
posted by:
autonutt
I took some time to check these vehicles out at the LA Auto Show this week, and they seemed pretty nicely thought out and put together.. until I examined the 2nd-row seat folding mechanism. The bottom cushion bounces up with a very sharp, plasticky jounce.. not exactly premium quality. The harder trick is to fold the cushion back down after your third-row passengers enter.. it only folds back about halfway while you put the seatback up, then requires a bodybuilders strength to push it the rest of the way down! Sad.. it looked like a great idea, but as usual the execution sucks.
12/11, 9:20 PM
posted by:
Piablo
Hey better now than never. It takes guts and balls to pull something like this. I appreciate every manufacturer who comes forward with their vehicle issues open and honestly. Luckily with the Solstice, they caught the problem prior to shipments. It also delayed the first shipments a good half year.
The real 1952 MG TD, I was going to say, I seem to remember you posting rather pro GM comments. Now some dink has hijacked your ID… some real whackos out there.
12/11, 9:44 PM
posted by:
chris2
The vehicles at the auto shows are pre production. I sow no 2nd row issues with pop up this week at the dealer.
12/11, 10:23 PM
posted by:
MHW
The problem turned out to be a motor mount that can potentially collect water, if the water freezes it can cause a noise or vibration. A very minor problem with a very simple fix. No cars are in the hands of customers at this point, so this was a good proactive measure to ensure customer satisfation.
12/12, 8:44 PM
posted by:
deantj
Piablo you are a ****. All the 1952 MG TDs are asswipes, the real one is a bigger twat than the fake ones. The doors sounded all tinny when I closed them, no THUNK appeal in the showroom, sho nuff
12/13, 3:23 PM
posted by:
F451
Well, I give GM credit for stopping sales and (hopefully) taking care of the issue. Much better than selling them and then having to have a dealership fix the issue.
12/13, 6:25 PM
posted by:
LamborghiniZ
but chevy490, GM has the pleasure of having ridiculously dumb problems like the Corvette convertibles roof flying off at high speeds..
12/14, 10:08 AM
posted by:
chevy490
id rather have my roof fly off then roll over and die or have my engine catch fire and the only reason they re caslled that was because stupid people would push the button to close the top while they were going 80 im sory but thats a dee dee dee!