NHTSA Complaint #10888550 — 2008 SATURN VUE

THE KEY STUCK IN THE KEY LOCK CYLINDER AND WOULD NOT TURN. THE SATURN VUE 08 HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THE KEY LOCK CYLINDER DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED. THE NEW KEY LOCK ASSEMBLY IS PERFORMING SIMILAR TO THE ONE THAT FAILED. THE KEY STICKS IN THE CYLINDER AND REQUIRES 4 OR 5 TRIES TO TURN THE IGNITION ON. IT WILL NOT PULL OUT EASILY, BUT JAMS AT THE INSIDE EDGE WHERE THE METAL SHANK OF THE KEY MEETS THE BLACK PLASTIC KEY CASING. THE NEW KEY LOCK ASSEMBLY METAL COVER ON THE STEERING COLUMN APPEARS TO BE CATCHING, AND SHOWS BENDING. THE NEW KEY SHOWS SEVERE SCRATCHES. THE REPLACEMENT KEY LOCK ASSEMBLY SILVER RECTANGULAR OPENING WHERE ONE INSERTS THE KEY DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE STURDY ENOUGH, AND IT BENDS EASILY CAUSING THE KEY TO CATCH. THE PROBLEM IS PROGRESSING, AND THE KEY IS STARTING TO STICK AS BEFORE, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AND START THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN A POORLY LIT PARKING LOT, IN LINE AT DRIVE THROUGHS, AND AT THE FILLING STATION. THE PROBLEM IS WORSENING. THE DEALER PROMISED THAT THE INITIAL $700-PLUS REPAIR IS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT DID NOT KEEP THE SCHEDULED REPAIR DATE.