After three previous ineffective repairs for engine fires, GM is recalling more than one million vehicles to fix an ongoing safety defect on sedans and coupes in the U.S. All of more than one million vehicles with a 3.8-liter V6 engine have a leaking problem that can cause a conflagration.
The original recall was conducted seven years ago; however, GM’s lawyers have identified new claims on engine compartment fires, including cars that had been previously repaired under three prior recalls. GM’s lawyers, you may recall, were severely criticized for overlooking litigation in the ignition switch death debacle. Since then the chief counsel has left the company and the legal department reorganized.
The repair needed to stop what are now 1,345 fires in vehicles involved in earlier recalls for the defect is unknown. GM said it would provide this information as soon as it is available. Until an improved fix has been applied, owners should park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended since 85% of the fires occurred after the car was parked, according to GM
In its latest NHTSA filing, GM says aging valve covers or valve cover gaskets can allow oil to seep onto the exhaust manifold during hard braking. If the exhaust manifold’s hot surface serves as an ignition source, a flame can develop from the leaking oil, igniting the plastic spark plug wire retainer or other combustible material in the area. “The resultant smoldering can propagate flames to other engine components.”
Affected are model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles, so-called W-cars in GM platform parlance. These vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to stop engine oil from dripping onto the hot exhaust manifold.
