On Monday March 31st, General Motors Co. announced a recall on 1.5 million vehicles worldwide because the electronic power-steering assist may suddenly stop working, making them instantaneously harder to steer and possibly leading to a car accident.
This latest recall adds to the relative blunder of a year for GM by bringing the total number of vehicles recalled by the Detroit automaker since February to more than 6.3 million. The initial recall, currently hovering at 2.6 million small cars for an ignition switch defect, prompted GM to appoint a new safety chief and ramp up the review of more pending cases could lead to even more recalls in the future.
GM to Realize Staggering Losses over Cost of Recalls
GM announced that it expects recall-related costs to reach close to $750 million in the first quarter alone, inclusive of $300 million for the previous ignition switch recall.
GM models affected by the new recall include:
- Chevrolet Malibu from the 2004-2005 model years, plus some 2006, 2008 and 2009 model-year cars
- Chevrolet Malibu Maxx from the 2004-2005 model years, plus some 2006 model-year cars
- Chevrolet HHR from the 2009-2010 model years (non-turbocharged only)
- Some Chevrolet Cobalts from the 2010 model year
- Some Saturn Auras from the 2008-2009 model years
- Saturn Ion from the 2004-2007 model years
- Pontiac G6 from the 2005 model year, plus some cars from the 2006, 2008 and 2009 model years
- Service parts installed into certain vehicles before May 31, 2010, under a previous recall
According to GM, no deaths have been reported in relation to the electronic steering defect. GM is still investigating whether there have been any reported accidents or injuries related to the problem. GM dealers have agreed to replace the power steering motor and other parts of all recalled vehicles for free. Spokesman Alan Adler said vehicle owners will be notified of the recall beginning the week of April 28th and will be told when parts are available after that.
The Cobalt and the Ion, which are also involved in the ignition switch recall, share many common parts. GM recalled Cobalt cars from the 2005-2010 model years for the power steering defect in 2010, but it’s unclear why the company elected not to recall the Ion at the same time. Federal regulators also opened an investigation into power steering complaints in the Ion in 2010, but didn’t order a recall.
Overview of GM’s Previous Ignition Switch Recall
In February, GM announced an official recall affecting certain model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. The move by the Detroit automaker followed a long stint of related consumer complaints over, sometimes dangerous, defective ignition lock cylinders in many Chevrolet Cobalt and HHR models.
Not more than two weeks after GM’s first announcement, an update was issued expanding the recall to include an additional 748,024 vehicles built by GM in the 2000s. Cars affected by the expansion include the model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles, plus 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles.
The recall was issued over an alleged defect in the ignition switch and ignition lock cylinder. Due to the alleged product defect, slight weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or other jarring events could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, shutting off the engine. If the key is not in the run position, the vehicle’s air bags may not deploy in the event of a collision, greatly increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
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