GM is recalling 2,149 model year 2009 Saturn VUE vehicles. Some of these vehicles may have been built with an incorrect right and/or left front steering knuckle. As a result of the incorrect knuckle and resulting inadequate clearance, the tie rod ball stud could pull out of, or fracture, the tie rod housing. This could cause the tie rod to separate from the knuckle. Although steering control of the vehicle could be maintained after a tie rod separation by the unaffected wheel on smooth roads or during light braking, with more significant suspension or braking inputs, the affected wheel could turn out and skid.
If a vehicle built with two incorrect steering knuckles had both tie rods separate at the same time, steering control of the vehicle would be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. Shops should inspect the steering knuckles and, if necessary, replace the steering knuckle(s) and tie rod(s). Owners and shops may contact Saturn at (800) 972-8876 or through their website at http://www.gmownercenter.com.
