GM recalls nearly 3 mn vehicles over five safety defects

General Motors Co (GM) yesterday issued five more recalls, covering nearly three million vehicles globally, taking its total recall this year to over 11 million.

The Detroit-based car maker said that the recall covers cars and trucks over problems with brake lights, headlamps and power brakes.

The recalls cover, 2,440,524 previous generation passenger cars for taillamp malfunctions, 111,889 previous generation Chevrolet Corvettes for loss of low-beam head lamps, 140,067 Chevrolet Malibus from the 2014 model year for hydraulic brake booster malfunctions, 19,225 Cadillac CTS 2013-2014 models for windshield wiper failures, 477 full-size trucks from the 2014, and 2015 model years for a tie-rod defect that can lead to a crash.

Of the 2,991,140 vehicles recalled, more than 2.7 million were sold in the US, more than 201,000 in Canada, around 1,200 in Mexico and more than 76,000 were exported outside North America.

The largest recall involves 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2007 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 and 2007-2010 Saturn Auras model cars in US to modify the brake lamp wiring harness.

Affected vehicles could have corrosion develop in the wiring harness for the body control module due to micro-vibration, which could result in brake lamps failing to illuminate when the brakes are applied or brake lamps illuminating when the brakes are not engaged.

GM said that it is aware of several hundred complaints, 13 crashes and two injuries but no fatalities as a result of the condition.

The second safety recall covers 111,889 Chevrolet Corvettes from the 2005-2007 model years for potential loss of low-beam headlamp operation.

The third recall covers 140,067 Chevrolet Malibus from the 2014 model year with 2.5-litre engines and stop - start technology. These vehicles are subject to the disabling of hydraulic brake boost that can require greater pedal efforts and extended stopping distances.

The fourth recall covers 19,225 Cadillac CTS from the 2013-2014 model year for a condition in which the windshield wiper system may become inoperable after a vehicle jump start with wipers active and restricted, such as by ice and snow.

Potential lack of visibility could increase the risk of a crash, said GM in the release.

The fifth recall involves certain 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light duty pickups and 2015 model year Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs. The tie rod threaded attachment to the steering gear rack in these vehicles may not be tightened to specification.

With this condition, the tie-rod can separate from the steering rack and a crash could occur without prior warning.

GM said that it is aware of several hundred complaints as result of the above conditions but is not aware of any crashes, injuries or fatalities.

GM expects to take a charge of up to approximately $200 million in the second quarter, primarily for the cost of recall-related repairs.

''Customer safety is at the heart of how GM designs and produces vehicles, and these announcements are examples of two ways we are putting that into practice,'' said Jeff Boyer, vice president of GM Global Vehicle Safety.

''We have redoubled our efforts to expedite and resolve current reviews in process and also have identified and analyzed recent vehicle issues which require action. These are examples of our focus to surface issues quickly and promptly take necessary actions in the best interest of our customers,'' he added.