NHTSA Complaint #746047 — 2000 SATURN SL

THIS MODEL OF SATURN HAS A FLEXIBLE RUBBER BUMPER. IF THE CAR IS PARKED HEADED INTO A CURB, THE BUMPER HAS A TENDENCY TO CUP OVER THE FRONT CURB AS THE CAR SETTLES INTO PLACE. THERE IS NO WARNING TO THE DRIVER WHEN THIS HAS OCCURED. THEN, UPON BACKING OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, THE FRONT BUMPER TEARS AWAY FROM THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY CAR THREE TIMES IN TWENTY MONTHS AND IN THREE DIFFERENT PARKING LOTS, DESPITE MY EFFORTS TO AVOID PARKING SPACES THAT HEAD INTO A CURB. WHEN IT OCCURS THE BUMPER DANGLES AN INCH OR TWO BELOW THE FRONT FRAME UNTIL IT IS REATTACHED BY THE GARAGE. THE MOST RECENT TIME, I WAS DRIVING THE CAR HOME FROM THE PARKING LOT, WHEN THE BUMPER BECAME TANGLED IN THE WHEEL OF THE CAR. I HAD TO STOP ON A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY TO DISENGAGE THE BUMPER AND ATTEMPT TO WEDGE IT INTO A PLACE WHERE I COULD LEAVE THE ROAD. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE FRAGILITY OF A BUMPER THAT PULLS LOOSE IN TYPICAL PARKING SPACES, AND WITH THE RISK THAT OCCURS ONCE THE BUMPER IS PULLED LOOSE. SATURN TELLS ME THAT THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ANYONE BUT ME.