General Motors Recalls Cadillac ATS Cars For Fire Dangers
General Motors Recalls Cadillac ATS Cars For Fire Dangers
General Motors is recalling 121,000 Cadillac ATS cars for fire dangers linked to a defect in the rear defogger system.
According to a Detroit News report, the recall includes 97,000 2013-16 ATS sedans in the United States and 24,000 in Canada, Mexico and other countries.
General Motors has said it is aware of four fires relating to the vehicle defect, but no injuries, crashes or fatalities.
The automaker believes that less than 1 percent of the recalled vehicles may be defective.
Understanding the Problem
The defect could pose a risk of a fire inside the rear pillar on the driver’s side of the vehicle, according to GM officials.
Some of the recalled ATS cars may have been manufactured with “critically weak terminal connectivity in the coil antenna module, which powers the rear defogger system.”
So, there is the danger of the module overheating and causing a fire. When the recall begins, dealers will update the Electronic Climate Control module software to remove the automatic rear defogger “on” function.
What to Do if Your Car Has Been Recalled
The worst thing you can do if your car has been recalled is to do nothing. While getting a vehicle recalled is no reason to panic, it is not the time to be apathetic either. Manufacturers are required to notify you by mail if they are issuing a recall.
If you have not been contacted, confirm that your car is affected by contacting the manufacturer, or by visiting the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) site, safercar.gov.
You can check by using your vehicle identification or VIN. You can find this number on the driver’s side of the dashboard in front of the steering wheel or on the driver’s side doorjamb.
It is important that you get your car repaired. Automakers who issue recalls are required under the law to make the repairs free of charge.
If your vehicle has been recalled for a fuel leak or a fire risk, you may also want to park it outside and away from any structures until the fix has been made.
If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a defective vehicle, please contact an experienced auto product liability lawyer who will ensure that your legal rights and best interests are protected, and that the negligent automaker is held accountable.
