GM announces three more recalls

General Motors yesterday announced three more recalls, related to airbag deployment and other issues, and said it would take a $300m (€215m) charge primarily to cover the costs related to these actions as well as the previous recall for faulty ignition switches.

The No 1 US carmaker, which will take the charge in the first quarter, did not provide a breakdown of how much was related to the ignition-switch recall of more than 1.6m older-model vehicles that has hurt the company’s reputation since it was announced last month.

GM yesterday said it is recalling more than 1.5m newer crossover utility vehicles, luxury sedans, and full-size vans in three separate recalls.

While there were reports of engine compartment fires in two dealer-owned Cadillac XTS sedans, the company said it has received no reports of accidents or injuries related to the three new recalls.

GM said the latest recalls include 1.18m mid-sized crossovers to repair an issue that could lead to the nondeployment of side airbags.

Affected are some 2008-9 and all 2010-13 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia crossovers, some 2009 and all 2010-13 Chevrolet Traverses, and some 2008-9 and all 2010 Saturn Outlooks. Most of the vehicles were sold in the US, but some are in Canada and Mexico.

The Detroit-based GM is also recalling 303,000 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans to replace plastic material in the passenger instrument panel to meet federal head-impact crash standards for unbelted passengers, a spokesman said.

In the XTS, a brake booster pump wiring issue can lead to overheating, melting of plastic parts, and a possible engine compartment fire, the spokesman said. There were two reports of fires in unsold cars on dealer lots in June and September last year as well as two cases of melted components.

GM said the new recalls resulted from chief executive Mary Barra’s push for a comprehensive internal safety review following the ignition-switch recall. She previously apologised for how GM handled that action and said it would take an “unvarnished” look at the process.

“I asked our team to redouble our efforts on our pending product reviews, bring them forward and resolve them quickly,” Barra said yesterday.

“That is what today’s GM is all about. We are conducting an intense review of our internal processes and will have more developments to announce as we move forward.”

The ignition-switch recall has led to government criminal and civil investigations, an internal probe by GM, and preparations for hearings by Congress. All ask why GM took so long to address a problem it has said first came to its attention in 2001.