[/caption]General Motors, the American automobile giant, is recalling more than 1.5 million 2007-2009 model cars, trucks and crossovers. They are doing this to disable a heated washer fluid system module that poses a fire risk.
Because the feature is being disabled, GM is making a voluntary payment of $100 to the owner or lessee of each vehicle.
Rest assured, however, if you are a GM model 2007-2009 owner, there are no known injuries or crashes related to the condition. It's just that they do pose a fire risk so it's unsafe to use.
“While our analysis shows the number of incidents is very small compared with the number of vehicles on the road, we want our customers to have complete peace of mind,” said Jeff Boyer, executive director of Safety. “We always want to make sure customers can count on the safety and quality of their GM vehicle.”
The GM dealer personnel will remove the heated washer fluid module and reroute washer fluid hoses. Customers will begin receiving recall letters this month. If they want the module removed earlier, they can contact their dealer to make an appointment to have the heated washer system removed.
“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,” Boyer said. “We want to be clear that the voluntary payment to customers is for the loss of the feature, not the recall.”
If you are wondering if your car is affected, these are the models included in the recall:
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.
(Do not take my word for it, if you suspect that your vehicle has the module installed, contact your dealer to ensure that it gets checked out.)
1,365,070 of the affected vehicles are in the United States; there are 98,794 affected vehicles in Canada; 26,228 in Mexico, and 38,093 exports. This means that this is a very widespread recall and it's going to cost GM over $150 million if everyone whose car is affected gets the $100.
The heated washer fluid system was recalled in August 2008 because a short circuit on the printed circuit board could overheat the control-circuit ground wire. Dealers at the time installed an in-line fuse in the heated washer module wiring.
The government closed its initial investigation after the 2008 recall. GM continued to monitor the performance of the heated washer fluid module in the field and continued communications with NHTSA.
Later, in June 2009, a new and second failure mode was identified by GM. The first confirmed report consisted only of smoke. Since then, GM has been made aware of five fires. No one was hurt or injured.
So, if you have one of the above GM models, go collect your $100! And, of course get your car fixed up so it's safer.
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