More Recalls On GM's Plate

Another week, another set of recalls from General Motors. The company announced today that it's recalling a total of 2.7 million in five different recall campaigns that cover eight different models.

Here are the recalls:

• A total of 2.4 million vehicles that include the 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2007 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura for a faulty control module. The module could cause tail lights to either not turn turn on when the brakes are applied or turn on all by themselves. Other items such as the cruise control, traction control, stability control, and panic braking assist may be affected.
  
• 111,889 Chevrolet Corvettes from the 2005-2007 model years are being recalled due to the loss of low-beam headlights because of a fail due to a bent wire. 2008-2013 Corvettes appear to have this same problem, but are not part of the safety recall. They'll get an extended warranty.
  
• 140,067 Chevrolet Malibus from the 2014 model year and equipped with the 2.5L four-cylinder are being recalled due to the hydraulic brake booster failing and causing a driver to put more pressure on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle.
  
• 19,225 Cadillac CTS from the 2013-2014 model year where the wiper motor could break if the vehicle is being jumpstarted and there is ice or snow on the windshield.
  
• 477 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra from the 2014 model year, and the Chevrolet Tahoe from the 2015 model year for a manufacturing defect that could cause the front tie rod and steering gear to fail, leading to a crash. Owners are being ask to have their vehicles towed in.
  

“Customer safety is at the heart of how GM designs and produces vehicles, and these announcements are examples of two ways we are putting that into practice,” said Jeff Boyer, vice president of GM Global Vehicle Safety. “We have redoubled our efforts to expedite and resolve current reviews in process and also have identified and analyzed recent vehicle issues which require action. These are examples of our focus to surface issues quickly and promptly take necessary actions in the best interest of our customers.”

Source: General Motors

Press Release is on Page 2

GM Announces Five Safety Recalls

2014-05-15

DETROIT – General Motors said Thursday it has informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of five safety recalls covering about 2.7 million vehicles in the United States. The recalls cover:

- 2,440,524 previous generation passenger cars for taillamp malfunctions

- 111,889 previous generation Chevrolet Corvettes for loss of low-beam head lamps

- 140,067 Chevrolet Malibus from the 2014 model year for hydraulic brake booster malfunctions

19,225 Cadillac CTS 2013-2014 models for windshield wiper failures

- 477 full-size trucks from the 2014 and 2015 model years for a tie-rod defect that can lead to a crash

"Customer safety is at the heart of how GM designs and produces vehicles, and these announcements are examples of two ways we are putting that into practice," said Jeff Boyer, vice president of GM Global Vehicle Safety.

"We have redoubled our efforts to expedite and resolve current reviews in process and also have identified and analyzed recent vehicle issues which require action. These are examples of our focus to surface issues quickly and promptly take necessary actions in the best interest of our customers."

The largest recall involves 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2007 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 and 2007-2010 Saturn Auras model cars in U.S. to modify the brake lamp wiring harness.

Affected vehicles could have corrosion develop in the wiring harness for the body control module due to micro-vibration. The condition could result in brake lamps failing to illuminate when the brakes are applied or brake lamps illuminating when the brakes are not engaged. Additionally, cruise control, traction control, electronic stability control and panic braking assist operation could be disabled.

GM is aware of several hundred complaints, 13 crashes and two injuries but no fatalities as a result of the condition. The company issued a technical service bulletin in 2008 and conducted a safety campaign for a small population of 2005 model year vehicles in January 2009.

The second safety recall covers 111,889 Chevrolet Corvettes from the 2005-2007 model years for potential loss of low-beam headlamp operation Models from 2008-2013 will be covered under a Customer Satisfaction Program. All repairs will be at no cost to customers.

When the engine is warm, the underhood electrical center housing could expand, causing the headlamp low-beam relay control circuit wire to bend slightly. After the wire is repeatedly bent, it can fracture and separate. When this occurs, the low-beam headlamps will not illuminate. As the housing cools and contracts, the low-beam headlamp function may return. This condition does not affect the high-beam headlamps, marker lamps, turn signals, daytime running lamps or fog lamps. Loss of low beam headlamps when they are required could reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

GM is aware of several hundred complaints as result of the condition but no crashes, injuries or fatalities.

The third recall covers 140,067 Chevrolet Malibus from the 2014 model year with 2.5L engines and stop/start technology. These vehicles are subject to the disabling of hydraulic brake boost that can require greater pedal efforts and extended stopping distances. Dealers will reprogram the electronic brake control module. The issue was discovered in testing of a future model with similar technology. GM is aware of four crashes but it is not clear that these are related to the condition. No injuries are known from those crashes.

The fourth recall covers 19,225 Cadillac CTS from the 2013-2014 model year for a condition in which the windshield wiper system may become inoperable after a vehicle jump start with wipers active and restricted, such as by ice and snow. Potential lack of visibility could increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace the front wiper module free of charge. GM is unaware of any crashes or injuries due to the condition.

The fifth recall involves certain 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light duty pickups and 2015 model year Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs. The tie rod threaded attachment to the steering gear rack in these vehicles may not be tightened to specification. With this condition, the tie rod can separate from the steering rack and a crash could occur without prior warning. Customers are being contacted and told to have their vehicles taken by flatbed to their dealer, where the inner tie rods will be inspected for correct torque, and, if necessary, the steering gear will be replaced. The repair procedure was being sent to dealers and owner letters sent by overnight mail to customers on May 14. The issue was discovered and corrected during assembly after the small number of vehicles was released.

GM expects to take a charge of up to approximately $200 million in the second quarter, primarily for the cost of recall-related repairs announced in the quarter.