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Recall Tsunami Hits GM: 1.5M Cars for Potential Fire Risk

The recall tsunami, which has just caused serious damage to Chrysler is now hitting General Motors, as the company announced it is calling back 1.5 million 2007-2009 model cars, trucks and crossovers due to a heated washer fluid system issue that could lead to a fire.

The problem has spread throughout GM’s brands, as the component has been widely used. The models included in the recall are the 2006-2009 model year Buick Lucerne; Cadillac DTS; Hummer H2; 2008-2009 model year Buick Enclave; Cadillac CTS; 2007-2009 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe; GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL; Saturn Outlook; and 2009 model year Chevrolet Traverse.

The majority of the vehicles, 1,365,070 are being driven on U.S. roads, with the rest being spread between Canada (98,794), Mexico (22,228) and various export markets (38,093).

The company will replace the heated washer fluid system module and reroute the washer fluid hoses. As the feature will be disabled, GM will offer $100 to the owner or lessee of each vehicle. Simple maths shows us that GM is losing $150 million just for voluntary payments.

This was a unique technology available from only one supplier, and that supplier has stopped manufacturing, which left no opportunity to collaborate on an improved design,” said Jeff Boyer, executive director of Safety. “We want to be clear that the voluntary payment to customers is for the loss of the feature, not the recall.

GM will start sending recall letters this month, but customers may choose to contact GM dealers at any time to have the heated washer system removed.

As with other recalls, the story has roots in the previous years. GM’s heated washer fluid system was recalled in August 2008 due to a short circuit on the printed circuit board that could overheat the control-circuit ground wire and potentially cause a fire. The company’s dealers installed an in-line fuse in the heated washer module wiring.

Subsequently, the U.S. authorities closed their initial investigation. GM continued to monitor the issue and maintained an open communication line with the NHTSA. In June last year, a new and second failure mode was identified.

The company claims that it has only been aware of five fires, with “no known injuries or crashes related to this condition”.
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About the author: Andrei Tutu
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In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist.
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