General Motors Co. today announced another series of vehicle recalls, including 3.36 million older-model cars due to ignition switches issues. The affected vehicles, including 3.16 million in the U.S., range from the 2000 to 2014 model-year. Only one of the models included in the U.S. recall is still in production – the previous generation Chevrolet Impala, which is sold to daily rental fleets as the Impala Limited.
DETROIT, MI- General Motors Co. today announced it is recalling another 3.36 million older-model cars due to an ignition switch-related issue.
The affected vehicles, including 3.16 million in the U.S., range from the 2000 to 2014 model-year. Only one of the models included in the U.S. recall is still in production – the previous generation Chevrolet Impala, which is sold to daily rental fleets as the Impala Limited.
The company has now launched 44 recall campaigns of more than 20 million vehicles globally, including 17.7 million in the U.S. Although some vehicles have been recalled for more than one issue.
As a result of its unprecedented recalls, GM expects to take a charge of up to approximately $700 million in the second quarter due to recall-related repairs announced in the quarter, up from $400 million. That's in addition to $1.3 billion to begin the year, bringing GM's recall-related financial total to $2 billion in 2014.
The Detroit-based automaker said the ignition key recall follows a review of ignition issues following its highly-publicized ignition switch recall of 2.6 million Chevrolet Cobalts and other small cars in February.
GM, according to officials, is aware of eight crashes and six injuries related to the most recent recall.
Under the new recall, as with the previous recall, a combination of too much weight on the key chain and a "jarring event" like striking a pothole can cause the car's ignition to inadvertently rotate to the "accessory" or "off" position, thus disabling power steering and power braking. Also, in the event of a crash, the air bags may not deploy.
GM spokesman Alan Adler said the ignition switches in the newest recall, unlike the previous one, did meet GM's specifications, which is why the company is not replacing the entire ignition switch.
Instead, to fix the problem, GM will add an insert to the ignition keys of the recalled vehicles to close the slot and leave a 4 by 6-millimeter hole through which the key ring could be attached. In vehicles where the key cover has been worn, new keys with holes instead of slots will be provided free of charge.
Rework of the keys – adding key inserts – at GM dealerships is expected to begin in the next few weeks. Until the rework or replacement is completed, owners of the recalled cars are urged to remove additional weight from their key chains and drive with only the ignition key.
Models impacted by the new recall include 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosses, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impalas, 2000-2005 Cadillac Devilles, 2004-2011 Cadillac DTS models, 2006-2011 Buick Lucernes, 2004-2005 Buick Regal LS & GS models, and 2006-2008 Chevy Monte Carlos.
In addition to the ignition key recall, GM also announced five other U.S. recalls of 165,770 vehicles:
- 68,887 model year 2013-14 Cadillac ATS and 21,863 model year 2014 Cadillac CTS sedans. In certain vehicles with automatic transmissions, the shift cable may not be fully secured to the shifter bracket or transmission bracket. If the shift cable comes out of the brackets, the driver may not be able to shift the transmission in or out of gear. GM is unaware of any crashes or injuries related to this condition.
- 57,192 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 HD and 2015 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 GMC Sierra HD to inspect for proper attachment of power steering hose clamps to the power steering pump. If the vehicle is driven with the clamp unattached, the hose may disconnect from the pump or gear, causing a rapid loss of power steering fluid. This will result in loss of power steering assist and Hydro Boost powered brakes without warning. The vehicle would revert to manual brakes and manual steering. GM knows of no crashes or injuries from the condition. Dealers are to inspect power steering hose clamps in two locations to ensure they are properly attached.
- 16,932 model year 2011 Cadillac CTS sedans with AWD. On some vehicles, a gasket leak where the constant velocity joint meets the rear propeller shaft may cause the rear propeller shaft to separate or become loose, making contact with the vehicle floor above and causing the rollover sensor to deploy the roof rail air bags. GM is aware of 15 unintended deployments, but injury data is unclear.
- 712 model year 2014 Chevrolet Corvettes with optional Competition Sport Seats, because an unbelted child and door trim may block the passenger seat side air bag vent in a deployment. Dealers will replace the current air bag with a redesigned version. GM is unaware of any crashes or injuries related to this condition, but advises customers to not allow small children in the front seat until the vehicle is serviced.
- 184 model year 2014-15 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickups with vinyl floors and accessory all-weather floor mats purchased new with the vehicle. The mats can slip under the driver's feet because the vinyl floors have no attachments to secure them in place. Customers are advised take the floor mats to their dealer for a full refund. GM is unaware of any crashes or injuries related to the mats.
The additional recalls come three days after GM announced five other recalls, including all current-generation Camaros, and two days before GM CEO Mary Barra is scheduled to travel to Capitol Hill to discuss an exhaustive report into its delayed ignition switch recall.
GM continues to face numerous lawsuits and investigations from the U.S. Justice Department, two congressional committees, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and others.
In May, the U.S. Department of Transportation and its National Highway Traffic Safety Administration already fined GM an unprecedented $35 million over the delayed ignition switch recall.
Michael Wayland covers the automotive industry for MLive. Email him at MWayland@mlive.com & follow him on Twitter @MikeWayland or Google+.