GM Halts Battery Replacement for Recalled Hybrids

A disturbing problem looms on the horizon for American manufacturer GM, which will soon see pretty much all the mild hybrids sold since 2007 (Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn Aura and Saturn Vue vehicles) because of a battery pack problem. Some 25,800 such models are being affected by the problem.

The American carmaker found that in some cases, the hybrid battery packed in some models may crack and leak. According to Jalopnik, the carmaker informed the Environmental Protection Agency of the problem and said it will fix it by replacing all the battery packs.

Now, apparently, the replacement of the batteries has hit a snag, mostly because of GM's inability to build as many battery packs as required. According to a letter sent by GM to dealers, somehow intercepted by Jalopnik, “a shortage of replacement batteries is at a critical level and will probably not improve in the foreseeable future.” GM is now, according to the letter, 4.5 weeks behind schedule.

As a result, GM says it has halted the mailing customers of the aforementioned vehicles recall letters. The carmaker advises its dealers to replace the battery packs when a vehicle is due for inspection. The dealers are also advised to give priority to those customers whose vehicles are no longer operational because of the problem.

"We're trying to make sure we get them to the people who need them first," GM spokesman Alan Adler was quoted as saying by the source. He added that, considering the current manufacturing rate, the entire operation will be completed in several months.