GM Recalls 1.5 Million Vehicles Due to Fears of Engine Fires
According to a notice posted on April 13, 2009, on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, troubled Detroit automaker GM Corp. is recalling 1.5 million vehicles equipped with 3.8 liter V6 engines due to the risk of potential engine compartment fires. The following vehicles are affected in this recall:
- 1997-2003 Buick Regal
- 1998-2003 Chevrolet Lumina
- 1998-2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
- 1998-2003 Chevrolet Impala
- 1998-1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
- 1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
The problem involves a potential for oil to leak on the exhaust manifold during hard braking. When a car operates under normal conditions, the manifold can get very hot. Oil that runs below the manifold's heat shield could ignite and spread to plastic channels that hold spark plug wires. As a solution, GM recommends a change in the bracket that holds spark plug wires, which will be done free of charge. The recall news comes at a time when GM is facing an uncertain future, including the prospect of bankruptcy, as well as a host of product liability litigation in various courts which includes a huge lawsuit pending in Arkansas over faulty breaks allegedly installed in about 4 million GM vehicles.
Click here to view recall notice
