GM recalls 1.3 million vehicles

[rudack]

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- General Motors has recalled 1.3 million Chevrolet and Pontiac models in North America for power steering failures that are tied to 14 crashes and one injury in the United States, the company said Tuesday.

The recall affects 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and 2007-2010 Pontiac G5 models sold in the United States, 2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit vehicles sold in Canada, and 2005-2006 Pontiac G4 models sold in Mexico.

Detroit-based GM told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about the recall Monday after concluding its own investigation first launched in January 2009.

The NHTSA opened a separate investigation on 905,000 U.S. Cobalt models in January 2010 after receiving more than 1,100 complaints on power steering failures, 14 crashes and an injury.

GM's new 'car guy' sees a ray of hope for the company
GM vice president of quality Jamie Hresko said the investigation revealed that the problem develops over time, and is more likely to occur in vehicles whose warranty has expired.

GM spokesman Alan Adler told CNNMoney that the condition tends to impact vehicles that have been driven 20,000 to 30,000 miles.

While the company is developing a solution to fix the problem, Hresko said drivers can maintain control of the vehicle even after losing the power steering function.

"Recalling these vehicles is the right thing to do for our customers' peace of mind," he said. "While greater steering effort under 15 mph may be required, if the customer experiences loss of power steering assist, it is important to note that the vehicle can still be safely controlled because the customer can still steer the vehicle."

He noted that when the power steering feature fails, a chime will sound and the "Power Steering" message will display to alert drivers.

http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/02/auto...dex.htm?hpt=T2

[Camaro_Corvette]

Yeah, you can still control the vehicle, but it's the surprise of not having power steering that gets you...

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by Camaro_Corvette

Yeah, you can still control the vehicle, but it's the surprise of not having power steering that gets you...

I'm just guessing here but the 14 crashes involved people that were probably driving one handed, possible while using the Cell Phone... mostly younger people drive these cars and are more likely to use a Cell phone while driving.

[2010 SSRS]

yup

[CBR1000RR]

Look like Toyota was not the only one.

[ljustin293]

that's not what we needed

[Camaro_Corvette]

Originally Posted by Skyman 08

I'm just guessing here but the 14 crashes involved people that were probably driving one handed, possible while using the Cell Phone... mostly younger people drive these cars and are more likely to use a Cell phone while driving.

Yep, and they were surprised

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by CBR1000RR

Look like Toyota was not the only one.

But had GM tried to say it was the floormats or some other silly excuse? no, they are doing what it takes to make it right the first time...

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by Camaro_Corvette

Yep, and they were surprised

BUT if yoiu drive with both hands even being surprised you can usually keep control.. Have you ever had a power steering belt break? Used to happen alot back in the 60's and 70's. I have and never lost control from surprise... Loss of power steering should not "Surprise" someone so much that they lose control... it really isn't that hard to control a car when the power steering goes out...

[cab2g]

well GM certainly wouldn't want to try to hide it after what Toyota is going through right now! Toyota wouldn't even be in trouble if it didn't get caught hiding the issue.

[Number 3]

Plus this is voluntary on the part of GM..................Toyota had to be "told"

[Archangel]

Originally Posted by Skyman 08

BUT if yoiu drive with both hands even being surprised you can usually keep control.. Have you ever had a power steering belt break? Used to happen alot back in the 60's and 70's. I have and never lost control from surprise... Loss of power steering should not "Surprise" someone so much that they lose control... it really isn't that hard to control a car when the power steering goes out...

I lost my power brakes one time coming to a red light at an intersection....luckily it was empty and at midnight but none the less I still needed to change my shorts. I am only 24 but I learned to drive stick with no power anything...got to love beat up ole cj7s. Back on point, that sucks for GM but they are taking the initiative and responsibility and doing something about it, good on them, that doesn't happen very often now a days.

[Krozzbow]

I just hope that the recall is only affecting the 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and 2007-2010 Pontiac G5 models. You know how later on a number of other vehicles start to have the same fate. I hope there’s a quick solution for those Cobalt and Pontiac G5 owners. But I have faith that GM is on top of the problem before things start to get worst.

[rudack]

Originally Posted by Number 3

Plus this is voluntary on the part of GM..................Toyota had to be "told"

Exactly!