General Motors to recall another 2.42 million vehicles

General Motors is recalling another 2.42 million vehicles globally over defects in safety measures, taking the total number of vehicles recalled so far this year to nearly 15.4 million.

The latest recall comes a few days after the Detroit-based carmaker said that it was recalling nearly 3 million vehicles over five safety defects. (See: GM recalls nearly 3 mn vehicles over five safety defects)

GM has now issued a total of 29 recalls this year alone, taking the total number of recalled vehicles this year to nearly 15.4 million - the highest in the company's history and more than the previous five years combined.

GM's previous highest total recall in a year was 10.7 million vehicles in 2004.

As per yesterday's announcement, GM is recalling over 1.3 million Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia medium crossovers from the 2009-2014 model years and Saturn Outlooks from 2009-2010 because front safety lap belt cables can fatigue and separate over time.

The carmaker said that in a crash, a separated cable could increase the risk of injury to front seat passengers.

Under the second recall, GM is recalling over 1.1 million of the previous generation 4-speed automatic transmission Chevrolet Malibu from the 2004-2008 model years and Pontiac G6 from the 2005-2008 model years over a defect in the shift cable, which could wear out over time, resulting in mismatches of the gear position indicated by the shift lever.

It is also recalling 1.402 million Cadillac Escalades and Escalade ESVs from the 2015 model year over a defect in the passenger side air bag that could partially deploy in the event of a crash, and 58 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD full-size pickups from the 2015 model year over defect in the retention clips attaching the generator fuse block to the vehicle body, which can become loose and lead to a potential fire.

GM said there have been no fatalities associated with these recalls.

The carmaker expects to take a charge of up to approximately $400 million in the second quarter related to the cost of recall-related repairs. This amount includes a previously disclosed $200 million charge for the five recalls announced on 15 May.