With a classic late Friday announcement, beleaguered and under criminal investigation General Motors Company issues four more recalls including all, yes all, current generation Chevrolet Camaros because the driver’s knee can bump the key fob causing the key to move out of the “run” position, with a or reduction or a complete loss of power.
GM said in a statement that is aware of three crashes that resulted in four injuries that it believes may be attributed to this condition. The latest safety defect was – allegedly – discovered by GM during internal testing following the now infamous ignition switch recall in February of this year.
GM claimed, “The Camaro ignition system meets all GM engineering specifications and is unrelated to the ignition system used in Chevrolet Cobalts and other small cars included in the ignition switch recall.”
The company will change the Camaro key to a different design from one in which the key is concealed in the fob and is opened by pushing a button. The change will make the ignition key and fob independent of each other, so that inadvertent contact with the fob will not move the key from the “run” position. There are 464,712 Camaro models from the 2010-2014 model years in the U.S.; with Canada, Mexico and exports, the total recall population is 511,528.
In other GM recalls also announced there are:
- 28,789 Saab 9-3 convertibles from the 2004-2011 model years for an automatic tensioning system cable in the driver’s side front seat belt retractor that could break. If the cable were to break, seat belt webbing spooled out by the driver would not retract. The convertibles and sedans were investigated at the same time, but the convertible parts were not identical to the sedan parts. GM has admitted it has now learned of customer complaints to the NHTSA for the convertibles. Dealers will replace the driver’s side retractor in the recalled vehicles.
In addition, GM has issued special coverage, so that if the same repair is required to the passenger side retractor it will be covered for the life of the vehicle. GM also extended the special coverage for passenger-side belt retractors on the 2004 Saab 9-3 sedan from the original 10-year coverage to the life of the vehicle, like the convertibles. GM claimed it is unaware of any crashes, injuries or fatalities due to this condition.
- 21,567 Chevrolet Sonic 2012 model year compacts equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission and a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine for a safety defect where the transmission turbine shaft may fracture because of a supplier quality problem. If this were to occur in first or second gear, the vehicle could not upshift into third through sixth gears. If the turbine shift fractures while in one of the higher gears, the vehicle would coast until it was moving slow enough to downshift into first or second gear. In both instances, a malfunction indicator lamp could illuminate. If driven in this condition, all forward gears may become inoperable. The engine would continue to run and all power accessories would function. Dealers will replace the transmission turbine shaft. GM claimed it is unaware of any crashes, injuries or fatalities related to this safety defect.
- 14,765 model year 2014 Buick LaCrosse sedans because a wiring splice in the driver’s door may corrode and break. This may allow passenger windows, rear windows and the sunroof to operate when the vehicle is turned off and the driver is not in the vehicle. In addition, a chime will not sound when the driver’s door is opened if the key is in the ignition. Dealers will inspect the driver door window motor harness and, if necessary, replace an electrical splice. GM claimed it is unaware of any thefts, crashes, injuries or fatalities related to this defect.
