Ask the Car People.SM


Chevy Uplander/Pontiac Montana SV6/Saturn Relay/Buick Terraza

2925 messages,  Last post on Jan 21, 2012 at 12:26 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Uplander Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac Montana, Saturn Relay, Buick Terraza, Pontiac Montana SV6, Van

Messages Page 232 of 293

#2305 of 2925 NHTSA Investigation by hammy233

Dec 09, 2005 (5:59 pm)

NHTSA Probes Windshield Wiper and Headlight Problem in Some GM Models
 
December 5, 2005
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a preliminary safety investigation of the Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac Montana SV, Saturn Relay and Buick Terraza because of a flaw that could cause the headlights to go out.
 
All of the vehicles in the investigation are from the 2005 model year.
 
NHTSA has received information that the actuating bar of the windshield wipers might cause damage or even cut a wiring harness that results in loss of the headlights.
 
In a related problem, General Motors issued a bulletin to dealers on February 21, 2005 warning that the wiper motor crank arm could contact an under-the-hood electrical center and "Some customers may report a stall and the no start condition after the wipers are used."

#2306 of 2925 Side Airbags by delirious_car

Dec 09, 2005 (8:11 pm)

I noticed that GM decided to add second row seat mounted side airbags on it's Vans's for the 2006 model year, but one thing I saw on Saturn's website was that if you got the side airbags for the second row, you could not remove the second row of seats. This made me wonder, is it really worth it? (put aside the fact that is is a necessary feature for minivans)

#2307 of 2925 Re: looking to buy an 06 Terraza [dave_justdave] by nymom

Dec 10, 2005 (9:12 am)

Replying to: dave_justdave (Dec 09, 2005 5:39 pm)
Thanks for responding, i was able to find the one in the third row section. I also found what i believe is the ones on the back of the second row captians chairs but i could not get the tether hook in the hole. The hole seemed too small. has anyone else had this problem? thanks

#2308 of 2925 RE: JK27 - [jerrywimer] by dirkdaddy

Dec 10, 2005 (8:54 pm)

Replying to: jerrywimer (Dec 02, 2005 5:24 am)
You are correct about the rear suspension, I have not seen much of the Buick so I was thinking of the older models.
 
Dirk

#2309 of 2925 Re: Side Airbags [delirious_car] by jchan2

Dec 10, 2005 (8:57 pm)

Replying to: delirious_car (Dec 09, 2005 8:11 pm)
If you can't remove the second row, then you probably can't get maximum cargo capacity.
 
Why not just have side curtain airbags?

#2310 of 2925 Re: Side Airbags [jchan2] by delirious_car

Dec 10, 2005 (10:09 pm)

Replying to: jchan2 (Dec 10, 2005 8:57 pm)
Why not just have side curtain airbags?
 
That is exactly what I said. I realized though, that these vans are not entirely and are only dramatically changed, so if we want curtain airbags we will have to wait for a COMPLETE redesign.
 
I still wonder why GM allowed so many class standards (i.e. curtain airbags, power liftgate, and sunroof) to be left off these vans.

#2311 of 2925 Re: Side Airbags [delirious_car] by beach15

Dec 10, 2005 (10:56 pm)

Replying to: delirious_car (Dec 10, 2005 10:09 pm)
Wrong. A perfect example is when the last gen ('99-04) Jeep Grand Cherokee was mid-cycle, I think '02. Nothing really changed except a few trim pieces and some colors, but they ALSO incorporated side curtain airbags as a new option, without having to change or redesign much, if anything, at all.
 
The only reason GM did the bags in the seat thing for the back is purely the cost factor, as it is much easier to take the same mechanisms you already have designed and tested for the front side bags and just put those same seats in the middle--bingo, no extra R&D work, and you get some kind of bags in the rear area. Not a strong solution, but still a solution. Wouldn't have required a lot to get curtain airbags, but these vans still share so much with the old, it just wouldn't be monetarily worth it to a company with such tight purse strings at the moment--but wouldn't be that hard from an engineering aspect.

#2312 of 2925 Re: looking to buy an 06 Terraza [nymom] by kcorey

Dec 13, 2005 (5:02 pm)

Replying to: nymom (Dec 10, 2005 9:12 am)
The way that I have been able to attach the tether hook is to put it in side-ways and keep the spring portion down (in other words, up-side down). Maybe it's not right, but it works for me.

#2313 of 2925 Re: Listen Up [mobile1] by momof

Dec 21, 2005 (4:53 pm)

Replying to: mobile1 (Sep 22, 2005 8:23 pm)
WELL I SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE GOING CRAZY OVER MY VEHICLE AND ITS PROBLEMS!! I PURCHASED A SATURN RELAY, THE SAME AS THE UPLANDER, IN JULY AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM. RUNNING TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WITH MY 4 CHILDREN EVERY TIME. TOTALLY FRUSTRATING. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND SOMEONE WITH THE FLICKERING HEADLIGHTS PROBLEM, ACTUALLY ALL THE LIGHTS OF THE VEHICLE FLICKERS. THEY REPLACED, SO THEY SAID, THE ALTERNATOR AND ITS AS THOUGH NOTHING WAS EVER REPLACED. IT DOES THE SAME THING. I DO NOT DRIVE DURING THE EVENING/NIGHT ANYMORE BECAUSE PEOPLE THINK I'M FLASHING MY LIGHTS AT THEM!!! I REFUSE TO BE KILLED DUE TO ROADRAGE FOR SOMETHING THAT THE MECHANICS ARE OVERLOOKING OR ARE JUST IGNORING. PLEASE INFORM ME OF WHAT PROCEDURE WAS DONE ON YOUR VEHICLE TO REMEDY THE FLICKERING LIGHTS PROBLEM. ALSO I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A WHISTLE SOUND WHILE ACCELERATING. TOTALLY ANNOYING!!! MY DRIVERS SEAT HAS STARTED TO BUCKLE UP ON THE SIDE, ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS THAT THE MECHANICS SEEM TO NOT BE ABLE TO DUPLICATE. I'M AT A POINT WHERE I FEEL THEY ARE JUST IGNORING ME AND DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF ME AND MY FAMILY.

#2314 of 2925 Test Drives of Minivans by soderholmd

Dec 22, 2005 (10:38 am)

Ladies and Gents,
 
Went perusing three days ago for a minivan replacement for our 99 Windstar (which has been very bulletproof BTW). On our van we wanted heated leather, DVD, Good stereo, power sliders, 4 wheel discs with ABS and Stability control at a minimum. Started at the Honda dealer;
 
Honda-
 
Pompous dealers - acted like I was doing them a favor for checking out their van and asking for a testdrive. The powertrain of the van was excellent with some nice interior details and tricks. Really liked the fold down split 3rd seat. We took out an EXL and I liked driving it. It seemed to handle well. I asked about DVD and was told its available as a 1700.00 option. Total price would be around least 33K and they sell close to retail, hhhhmmmmmmmmm.
 
Toyota-
 
Dealer experience similar to Honda - whats with these guys? The Toyota we drove was an XLE to get all the options we wanted. Around 34K. Powertrain was nice, not as snappy as the Honda. Van rode very smooth and quiet, but handling was very soft and soggy - didn't feel as buttoned down as the Honda. Tight turning circle, nice seats, and good stereo system. Still no DVD at this price?
 
Saturn-
 
Dealer treated me like a guest. He couldn't do enough for me! I Asked for a test drive and he gave me the van for the day........WOW. I took out a loaded Relay 3. Every option on the list except all wheel drive. Including Onstar, DVD, Heated leather, 17 inch wheels, Power sliders, Awesome stereo, 4 wheel disc, ABS and stability, cool reverse sensing system, rail storage system, trailer package Driver info center, beautiful gauge package and more. Van drove great, more firm than the Toyota and less than the Honda. Driving position was excellent. Seats in all positions were large and comfy (as were all 3 vans). Powertrain was competent and smooth, although with noticibly less oomph than the other 2. It was far from lacking in power though. Kids loved the DVD! Only "downside " is the rear seats - they dont fold back and flat as the others, but can form a flat load floor none the less. Went back to the dealer and he said the MSRP was 30,700.
 
I wasn't sure if the difference in price was worth it. He then said BTW they now have 8k off the price. WOW!! Loaded for 22K - Youre kidding me!? Wife signed the papers and it's in the garage now. We're very happy!
 
All the vans were nice, but value wise between the 3 - no contest - and I found I prefer the SUV look vs. the Rocket boy styling of the other 2. Great experience - I'll keep you updated. Thoughts?

Messages Page 232 of 293

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement