Following the ignition switch scandal, General Motors is showing a more proactive approach to recalls, with the latest action involving all current generation Chevrolet Camaros – 511,528 units to be precise.
GM says “a driver’s knee can bump the key fob and cause the key to inadvertently move out of the ‘run’ position, with a corresponding reduction or loss of power.” The automaker says the issue may primarily affect drivers sitting close to the steering column. GM has discovered this problem during internal testing following the ignition switch recall earlier this year.
However, General Motors stresses that Camaro’s ignition system “meets all GM engineering specifications” and is unrelated to the ignition system used in Chevrolet Cobalts and other small cars included in the ignition switch recall. The company said it is aware of three Camaro crashes that resulted in four minor injuries that may be attributed to this issue.
GM’s fix is to change the Camaro key from one in which the key is concealed in the fob and is opened by pushing a button to a standard design. The change will make the ignition key and fob independent of each other, so that inadvertent contact with the fob won’t move the key from the “run” position.
The recall involves 464,712 Camaros from the 2010-2014 model years in the U.S. Including Canada, Mexico and exports, the total recall population is 511,528.
Separately, GM also announced two safety recalls and one non-compliance recall involving a total of 65,121 cars in the U.S. (69,839 including Canada, Mexico and exports). The first recall is for 28,789 Saab 9-3 convertibles from the 2004-2011 model year for an automatic tensioning system cable in the driver’s side front seat belt retractor that could break.
The second action is for 21,567 Chevrolet Sonic from the 2012 model year equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission and a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. On these models, the transmission turbine shaft may fracture as a result of a supplier quality issue. Finally, the third recall is for 14,765 model year 2014 Buick LaCrosse sedans on which a wiring splice in the driver’s door may corrode and break.
By Dan Mihalascu
