Saturn Vue ignition switch leads to new group of GM recalls totaling 312k

Fri, 08 Aug 2014

General Motors has another spate of recalls to announce. This time they cover 312,280 vehicles worldwide, including 269,041 of in the US, in a total of six campaigns. In 2014, the automaker has recalled 29,079,765 vehicles worldwide, with 25,754,356 of those in the US.

The largest among them covers 215,243 units of the Saturn Vue from 2002-2004 model years worldwide, 202,115 in the US. It's possible for the for the key to be removed even when the ignition isn't in the OFF position. The company knows of two crashes and one injury caused by this problem. Dealers are checking the parts and replacing the ignition cylinder and key set, if necessary.

Next is 72,826 models worldwide (48,059 vehicles in the US) of the 2013 Cadillac ATS four-door sedan, 2013 Buick Encore and 2013 Chevy Trax in Canada. It's possible that the for lap belt pretensioner to retract but not to lock, which could increase occupant movement during a crash. Both front, outboard lap belt pretensioners are being replaced, and a stop-sale is in effect on unsold models until the problem is repaired. There are no known crashes or injuries, though.

The 2014-2015 Chevrolet Impala needs repaired because some LT and LTZ models have a latch holding the front console storage compartment that could open in a rear collision. Dealers are replacing the latch, and there is also a stop-sale on these vehicles until the fix can be made. It affects 15,386 units worldwide, including 14,940 in the US. No crashes or injuries have been reported.

Another campaign covers the 1,968 examples of the 2009-2010 Chevrolet Aveo and the 2009 Pontiac G3 in the US. There are a total of 2,091 vehicles covered under this recall worldwide, but they include models not available in the US like the 2007 Chevy Optra in Canada and 2009 Pontiac Wave. The brake fluid in these vehicles can eventually cause longer pedal travel and reduced braking effectiveness. There are no reported crashes or injuries.

The 2014 Chevy Spark is also being recalled covering 3,110 units worldwide, including 1,919 in the US. The bolts that attach the left and right lower control arms might not be torqued to specification. The automaker wants the models transported to Chevy dealers to be inspected and tightened if necessary. This problem is also reported as crash and injury free.

Finally, the company is recalling 3,624 examples of the 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS for an issue with the front lights. All of these models were exported and none are in the US. Scroll down to read the company's official press release about the recalls.

GM Announces Recalls

DETROIT – General Motors announced the following recalls today:

202,115 model year 2002-2004 Saturn VUEs because the ignition key can possibly be removed when the vehicle is not in the off position. GM is aware of two crashes and one injury potentially related to the issue.

Dealers will inspect for key pullout or key binding, and, if necessary, replace the ignition cylinder and key set at no charge to customers.

Until recall repairs have been performed, it is very important before exiting the vehicle for customers to make sure the vehicle is in "Park" or in the case of a manual transmission to put the transmission into reverse gear and set the parking brake.

48,059 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS four-door sedans and 2013 Buick Encore vehicles in the U.S. In some of these vehicles, the front outboard lapbelt pretensioner cables will retract upon deployment to pull in seat belt webbing, but may not lock, allowing the cable and the retracted webbing to return to their original length under occupant loading. As a result, there may be a potential of increased occupant movement in certain accidents. Dealers will replace both front outboard lap belt pretensioners. GM is not aware of any crashes or injuries as a result of this issue, which was discovered during frontal crash testing. A stop sale is in effect for unsold models at dealerships until repairs have been made,

14,940 model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Impala sedans in the U.S. On some LT and LTZ models equipped with a front console storage compartment, the inertia latch on the compartment door may not engage in the event of a rear collision and the front console compartment door may open. Dealers will replace the console door storage compartment door inertia latch. Because this is a non-compliance with a federal motor vehicle safety standard, GM has ordered dealers to hold unsold models of these vehicles until the repair can be made. GM knows of no crashes or injuries related to this condition.

1,968 model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Aveo and 2009 model year Pontiac G3 vehicles for a brake fluid issue that could lead to longer brake pedal travel and/or reduced braking performance. This was originally a Customer Satisfaction Program issued in 2012 and has been reclassified as a safety recall. GM knows of no crashes or injuries associated with the condition.

1,919 model year 2014 Chevrolet Spark models for left and right lower control arm attaching bolts that may not be tightened to specification. GM has informed owners to have their vehicles transported to Chevrolet dealerships, where they will be inspect the attaching bolts to be sure they are tightened to specification. GM knows of no crashes or injuries related to this issue.

General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com

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By Chris Bruce