(CNNMoney: Published 05/15/2014, Isidore, Chris)
General Motors has recalled another 3 million autos, bringing the troubled automaker’s total for the year to about 10 million. GM has been under fire this year for its botched recall of 2.6 million vehicles with an ignition switch problem that the automaker had known about for 10 years. The Department of Justice, Congress and federal auto regulators are currently investigating the decade-long delay.
Most of the cars recalled Thursday were older models built before the company’s 2009 bankruptcy, as was the case with the ignition switch recall. The bulk of the latest recall applies to 2.4 million cars with a wiring problem that’s been tied to at least 13 accidents, two injuries and no deaths. Those vehicles include the 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, the 2004-2007 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, the 2005-2010 Pontiac G6, as well as 2007-2010 Saturn Auras.
The wiring problem could cause the brake lamps to fail to light up when the brakes are applied, or to light up when the brakes are not engaged, the company said. Cruise control, traction control, electronic stability control and panic braking assist operation can also be disabled. The company issued a service bulletin to dealerships 2008 about the flaw, but it never ordered a recall.
The ignition switch recall, which has been tied to at least 13 deaths, also started out as a service bulletin.
The announcement included four other smaller recalls. The smallest of the five recalls is also potentially the most serious. GM said that 477 trucks have steering problems that can cause accidents. Truck owners are being told they shouldn’t even drive their trucks to dealers for repairs. GM will send a flatbed truck to pick up the vehicles, which include some 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups and some 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs.
The lawyers at Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C., are concerned for the safety of automobile drivers and passengers in Berks County and Schuylkill County and serve accident victims and their families in Reading, PA, Pottsville, PA, and throughout Eastern and Central, Pennsylvania.
From the desk of Adam K. Levin, Esquire.