GM Recalls 2.4 Million More Vehicles for Serious Safety Defects
GM Recalls 2.4 Million More Vehicles for Serious Safety Defects
General Motors’ slew of major vehicle defect recalls continued this week with the automaker recalling another 2.42 million vehicles for four separate safety issues. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, none of the four recalls is related to GM’s faulty ignition switches, which was linked to at least 13 deaths. This week’s recalls bring the total number of GM recalls just in 2014 to 13.7 million vehicles.
The most serious issue in the recent recall involved 1,402 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESVs from the 2015 model year. These luxury SUVs have front passenger airbags that were not properly attached to the instrument panel, which means that they may deploy only partially in the event of a crash. GM sent letters, emailed and called all 224 owners of the vehicles and warned them not to drive with people sitting in the front passenger seat until the vehicles can be fixed.
 Dangerous and Defective Vehicles
GM also issued a recall and stop-sale notice on 1.3 million of its new and used full-size crossover SUVs from the 2009-2014 model years. These include models such as the Buick Enclave, Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia and the Saturn Outlook from the 2000 to 2010 models. These vehicles have a cable in the front seatbelt that can wear out prematurely and break in which case the seatbelt may not restrain the occupant in a crash. GM has instructed dealers not to sell these vehicles until after they are repaired.
A third recall expands on an earlier recall on about 1 million Chevy Malibu, Malibu Maxx and Pontiac G6 models. In these vehicles, a shift cable in the four-speed automatic transmission can break in which case the drivers will not be able to change gears, remove the key from the ignition or put the car in park mode. This particular issue has led to 18 crashes and one injury. In addition, 58 Chevy Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD heavy-duty pickup trucks from 2015 that pose a fire risk if the clips that attach a fuse block to the trucks come loose and the block moves.
 Delayed Recalls?
While some of the vehicle models in these recalls involve 2015 models, some others are 14 years old. Why has it taken GM so long to recall these vehicles? For example, the Saturn Outlook vehicles, which have seatbelts that can wear out and break, have been out there for nearly 15 years. It is clear that GM has a systemic problem. The culture of covering up has apparently permeated all levels of this organization.
One can only hope that this domino effect, which was triggered in February with the ignition defect recall, will purge our roadways of all dangerous and defective GM vehicles. If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in an accident involving these or other GM vehicles that have been recalled, please contact an experienced auto defect law firm, which will fight for your rights and ensure that you are fairly compensated for all your losses.
