Photo: GM
Even though Saab is currently in Chinese hands and builds a cheap electric rendition of the 9-3, almost 29k drop-tops wearing the Swedish griffin badge that utilize General Motors underpinnings are recalled over a fault with the safety belts. This is just the first of four new separate call back operations GM announced today, the big one involving all '10-'14 Chevy Camaros produced.
Circa 28,789 units of the 2004 - 2011 Saab 9-3 Convertible are fitted with a sub-standard tensioning cable in the driver's seat belt retractor. If the affected piece were to break, seat belt webbing spooled out by the driver would not retract.
According to GM, the manufacturer has learned about this non-compliance glitch after customers complained to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The fix will be dealt with by General Motors dealership service departments, which will replace the driver's side retractor in the recalled vehicles free of charge.
Further more, the American manufacturer announced that it will offer a special 'for life' coverage over the 10-year standard coverage of the affected vehicles, as well as for the 2004 Saab 9-3 Sedan. Fortunately, no crashes, injuries or fatalities have been linked to this non-compliance condition.
Moving on to more American-made cars, all current generation Chevrolet Camaro models, including the $75,000 Camaro Z/28 track machine, are called over because the driver's knee can bump the key fob and cause the key to inadvertently move out of the "run" position. We repeat: THE ENTIRE PRODUCTION RUN OF THE FIFTH GENERATION CHEVROLET CAMARO, for God's sake!
Fortunately, a GM investigation found out that this issue is unrelated to the deadly ignition switch fiasco that affected 2.6 million cars as of yet. The Detroit-based manufacturer is aware of three crashes with four minor injuries attributed to this glitch. Owners of affected Chevrolet Camaros will get a new type of key, which features a design in which the key is concealed in the fob and is opened by pushing a button.
But as opposed to the flip key fob you get with a Volkswagen, the revised Chevrolet Camaro fob is a tad more basic. Like the ignition key and the fob are independent of each other type of basic. Imagine taking out the key out of the fob and starting the car without hurting your thumb and index fingers. Interesting design there, General Motors, any other great ideas?
In total, approximately 464,712 units of the 2010 - 2014 Chevrolet Camaro have been built and sold in the United States since the fifth-generation started production. If you're to put Canada, Mexico and exports to the count, the total recall population hikes to 511,528 Camaros. Ouch!
The 2012 model year Chevrolet Sonic is also called back. 21,567 units fitted with the 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission are affected by a badly designed transmission turbine shaft. According to GM, that shaft is prone to fracture as a result of a supplier quality issue.
Owners affected can identify when this happens either by reading the dedicated warning light or by not being able to shift. Dealer service departments will replace the badly designed component free of charge. No crashes, injuries or fatalities connected to this condition have been reported as of yet.
Last but not least, the 2014 Buick LaCrosse is equipped with sub-standard wiring splice in the driver's door which may corrode and break with time. 14,765 cars are fitted with the faulty electrical joint. If the wiring splice breaks, that translates to glitches with circuits that control the door chime and the function of the windows and sunroof. In addition, a chime will not sound when the driver’s door is opened and the key is in the ignition.
As of June 13th, 2014, General Motors has recalled a total of 16,488,514 vehicles worldwide, out of which 14,401,773 are located in North America. We bet a tenner the grand total will break the 20 million mark by the end of 2014. What do you think the future holds for General Motors and GM vehicle owners?
According to GM, the manufacturer has learned about this non-compliance glitch after customers complained to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The fix will be dealt with by General Motors dealership service departments, which will replace the driver's side retractor in the recalled vehicles free of charge.
Further more, the American manufacturer announced that it will offer a special 'for life' coverage over the 10-year standard coverage of the affected vehicles, as well as for the 2004 Saab 9-3 Sedan. Fortunately, no crashes, injuries or fatalities have been linked to this non-compliance condition.
Moving on to more American-made cars, all current generation Chevrolet Camaro models, including the $75,000 Camaro Z/28 track machine, are called over because the driver's knee can bump the key fob and cause the key to inadvertently move out of the "run" position. We repeat: THE ENTIRE PRODUCTION RUN OF THE FIFTH GENERATION CHEVROLET CAMARO, for God's sake!
Fortunately, a GM investigation found out that this issue is unrelated to the deadly ignition switch fiasco that affected 2.6 million cars as of yet. The Detroit-based manufacturer is aware of three crashes with four minor injuries attributed to this glitch. Owners of affected Chevrolet Camaros will get a new type of key, which features a design in which the key is concealed in the fob and is opened by pushing a button.
In total, approximately 464,712 units of the 2010 - 2014 Chevrolet Camaro have been built and sold in the United States since the fifth-generation started production. If you're to put Canada, Mexico and exports to the count, the total recall population hikes to 511,528 Camaros. Ouch!
The 2012 model year Chevrolet Sonic is also called back. 21,567 units fitted with the 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission are affected by a badly designed transmission turbine shaft. According to GM, that shaft is prone to fracture as a result of a supplier quality issue.
Owners affected can identify when this happens either by reading the dedicated warning light or by not being able to shift. Dealer service departments will replace the badly designed component free of charge. No crashes, injuries or fatalities connected to this condition have been reported as of yet.
Last but not least, the 2014 Buick LaCrosse is equipped with sub-standard wiring splice in the driver's door which may corrode and break with time. 14,765 cars are fitted with the faulty electrical joint. If the wiring splice breaks, that translates to glitches with circuits that control the door chime and the function of the windows and sunroof. In addition, a chime will not sound when the driver’s door is opened and the key is in the ignition.
As of June 13th, 2014, General Motors has recalled a total of 16,488,514 vehicles worldwide, out of which 14,401,773 are located in North America. We bet a tenner the grand total will break the 20 million mark by the end of 2014. What do you think the future holds for General Motors and GM vehicle owners?
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