NHTSA Complaint #10127791 — 2003 SATURN VUE

I HAVE A 2003 SATURN VUE AWD V6 VIN [XXX]. WHEN I HAD BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE THERE WAS A POPPING SOUND IN THE FRONT DRIVE-TRAIN WHILE TURNING AT ANY SPEED. I WAS ABOUT TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VUE FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP, BUT UPON READING THE CAR FACTS REPORT IT WAS A 'FACTORY BUY BACK' FOR AN UN-FIXED POPPING SOUND IN THE FRONT END SUBSEQUENTLY I DID NOT PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE. THE OTHER DAY I WAS OUT FISHING DOWN A DIRT ROAD I HAD PASSED MY FAVORITE SPOT. SO, I HAD TO MAKE A 3 POINT TURN ON THE UNEVEN ROAD, I TURNED THE WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT AND THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WENT INTO A POT HOLE, I PUT IT INTO REVERSE GIVING IT GAS WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND HEARD A SOUND POP!-CRUUUNCH! AFTER A QUICK FIELD INSPECTION IT LOOKED LIKE THE CV BOOT CAME LOOSE AND LOST ALL THE GREASE . SO I DROVE IT REAL SLOW BACK HOME AND AFTER TAKING THE TIRE OFF I SAW THAT THERE WAS METAL SHAVINGS, BEARINGS, PIECES ECT. ON THE FRONT LEFT AXLE. SATURN TOLD ME THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT THROUGH THE WARRANTY AN I AM STILL AWAITING THE RETURN OF MY VEHICLE. IT IS TO MY BELIEF THAT THIS IS AN OFTEN OCCURING PROBLEM. SHOULD THIS HAPPEN TO SOMEONE WHO DID NOT REALIZE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE PROBLEM DEATH COULD RESULT FROM HARD BRAKING OR EVASIVE MANUVERING WITH THIS EXISTING CONDITION TO THE AXLE. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)