GM recalling 1.4 million older cars over oil leaks
For the third time in seven years, General Motors is recalling cars that can leak oil and catch fire, in some instances damaging garages and homes.
The recall, which covers 1.4 million vehicles, including more than 125,000 in Canada, dating to the 1997 model year, is needed because repairs from the first two recalls didn’t work. More than 1,300 cars caught fire after they were fixed by dealers, the company said.
In the previous recalls — in 2008 and 2009 — GM told owners to park the cars outside until repairs could be made, since most of the fires happened shortly after drivers turned off the engines.
U. S. safety regulators became aware of the fires in early 2007 and GM has since reported 19 minor related injuries. In 2008, a GM spokeswoman said the cars were responsible for 267 fires, including at least 17 that burned structures.
The latest recall, mainly in North America, includes: the 1997 to 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix and Buick Regal, the 2000 to 2004 Chevrolet Impala, the 1998 and 1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, and the 1998 to 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. All have 3.8- litre V- 6 engines.
Over time, the valve- cover gasket can degrade, allowing oil to seep out. Under hard braking, oil drops can fall onto the exhaust manifold and catch fire. Flames can spread to a plastic sparkplug- wire channel and the rest of the engine.
The problem first surfaced in 2007, when 21 consumer complaints about engine fires in some of the cars prompted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to investigate. That probe found three injuries. Most of the blazes happened five to 15 minutes after the engines were turned off, according to agency documents.