GM has issued yet another recall affecting 8.4 million cars and trucks across the globe, including roughly 7.6 million for ignition-related issues.
The first and largest of the recalls covers seven full-size models, including the 1997 to 2005 Chevrolet Malibu, the 2000 to 2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, the 1998 to 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue and the 1999 to 2004 Alero, and the 1999 to 2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004 to 2008 Grand Prix.
According to GM, the issue lies with the rotation of the key, similar but not identical to the issue currently affecting 2.6 million GM compact cars. The automaker says the torque in the switches could be out of specification, resulting in unintended key rotation.
Instead of replacing the ignition switch as an entire unit, GM will add small plastic inserts to the opening of the key ring to a hole, as opposed to the current slotted design. GM says a grand total of 7,610,682 vehicles are affected worldwide, including 641,121 in Canada.
Seven collisions, eight injuries and three fatalities have resulted from this defect. Cadillac CTS sedans from 2003 to 2014 and SRX SUVs from 2004 to 2006 have been recalled also for unintended rotation in the ignition key, with more than than 616,000 examples are being called back worldwide.
The third of GM’s recalls covers approximately 20,000 examples of the 2011 to 2014 Chevy Cruze, Sonic and Trax, as well as the Buick Encore and Verano. GM is recalling these models for insulation on the engine block’s heater and power cord, which could be damaged if the vehicle is in cold climates.
For a full list of GM’s latest recalls, check out the table below. These latest recalls bring GM’s 2014 total to 54, affecting some 28.9 million vehicles worldwide.
These are the Canadian numbers for GM’s six latest recalls.
Handout, GM
