GM Recalling 2.42 Million More Vehicles In U.S.

In what has become an almost commonplace weekly occurrence, General Motors Co. said on May 20 it is recalling 2.42 million more vehicles in four new recall campaigns for a variety of problems as fallout continues to mount from its ignition switch crisis.

GM said it now expects to take a $400 million charge in the second quarter for the growing number of recalls, up from the $200 million announced on May 15. That’s on top of the $1.3 billion first-quarter charge it took.

The automaker this year has recalled more than 13.6 million vehicles in the United States and at least 15.2 million vehicles worldwide. GM has now told NHTSA of 29 recall campaigns for 2014 — including two additional campaigns that have not yet been made public — as the automaker tries to show it is more responsive.

On May 16, GM paid a record-setting $35 million fine to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for failing to recall in a timely fashion 2.6 million vehicles linked to 13 deaths. The automaker admitted it broke the law in the settlement that will require intensive monitoring and monthly meetings with NHTSA to discuss all pending safety issues.

GM says no reports of deaths are linked to any of the four new recall campaigns announced on May 20.

In the latest round of recalls, GM said it is calling back 1.34 million 2009-14 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia full-size crossovers, along with 200-9-10 Saturn Outlooks, because front safety lap belt cables can fatigue and separate over time. In a crash, a separated cable could increase risk of injury to front seat passengers. GM has told dealers they cannot sell new or used models of the vehicles until repairs are made.

The automaker is also recalling 1.08 million 2004-08 four-speed automatic transmission Chevrolet Malibu and 2005-08 Pontiac G6 cars because a shift cable could wear out over time, resulting in mismatches of the gear position indicated by the shift lever — expanding a recall announced in April.

The Malibu and G6 vehicles equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission have a condition in which the transmission shift cable may fracture. When the fracture occurs, the driver may not be able to select a different gear, remove the key from the ignition or place the transmission in park. GM is aware of 18 crashes and one injury among the 4-speed Malibu and G6 population.Dealers will replace the shift cable and attachment bracket.

GM is also announcing two smaller recalls: 1,402 2015 Cadillac Escalades and Escalade ESVs because an insufficiently heated plastic weld that attaches the passenger side air bag to the instrument panel assembly could result in a partial deployment of the air bag in the event of a crash. It is also recalling 58 2015 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD full-size pickups because retention clips attaching the generator fuse block to the vehicle body can become loose and lead to a potential fire.

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