While the faulty ignition switch recall of some 1.37 million vehicles that was linked to 12 deaths continues to plague General Motors, the Detroit carmaker issued three separate and unrelated recalls of around 1.54 million cars “as a result of [GM CEO] Mary Barra’s request for a comprehensive internal safety review”, according to a company statement.
Suffice it to say, with this move to issue three big recalls in the midst of an investigation/scrutiny on the ignition switch recall, Barra’s goal is to portray the new (or after-bankruptcy) GM under her lead, as a more responsible and open company when it comes to these pressing matters.
“I asked our team to redouble our efforts on our pending product reviews, bring them forward and resolve them quickly,” said Barra. “That is what today’s GM is all about.”
“Today’s announcement underscores the focus we’re putting on the safety and peace of mind of our customers,” she continued. “We are conducting an intense review of our internal processes and will have more developments to announce as we move forward,” Barra said.
The biggest of the three new recalls affects 1.18 million Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia models from the 2008-2013 model years, Chevrolet Traverse from the 2009-2013 model years, and Saturn Outlook from the 2008-2010 model years, to fix a defective wiring harness of seat mounted side airbags. If it fails, the bags won’t deploy in the event of a crash.
Another 303,000 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans from the 2009-2014 model years with gross vehicle weight under 10,000 pounds are being recalled because they do not comply with a head impact standards for unrestrained occupants and will require a reworked passenger instrument panel material.
Finally, GM has issued a recall for approximately 63,900 Cadillac XTS full-size sedans from the 2013 and 2014 model years because a brake booster pump wiring issue can cause overheating, possibly leading to engine fires. In fact, GM said that it is “aware of two engine compartment fires in unsold vehicles at dealerships and two cases of melted components”.
The Detroit automaker said that it would take a charge of approximately $300 million in the first quarter to pay for the repairs of the three safety actions and the previously announced ignition switch recall.
By John Halas
PHOTO GALLERY
