General Motors said it will recall 3.16 million mid-size and large cars to modify their ignition keys to prevent the same problem that has been blamed for 13 deaths and 54 crashes in small cars that GM recalled earlier this year.
Simultaneously GM announced five other recalls for different defects totaling 165,770 U.S. vehicles.
And the automaker boosted to $700 million, from a previously forecast $400 million, the charge against second-quarter earnings it plans to take to pay for the recalls.
GM now has announced 44 recalls this year covering 17.73 million U.S. vehicles.
The North America total – including the U.S., Canada, Mexico and exports – is 20 million, GM says, noting that some vehicles have been recalled for more than one issue.
GM said the big, new ignition switch recall covers 2000 to 2014 models in the U.S. because the ignition switch might inadvertently move out of the "run" position if the key is carrying extra weight and experiences some jarring event. The automaker says it knows of eight crashes and six injuries related to the switches being recalled.
GM's statement on today's switch recall:
The use of a key with a hole, rather than a slotted key, addresses the concern of unintended key rotation due to a jarring road event, such as striking a pothole or crossing railroad tracks.
Only one of the models included in the U.S. recall of 3,160,725 cars is still in production – the previous generation Chevrolet Impala, which is sold to daily rental fleets as the Impala Limited. The total North America population – U.S., Canada, Mexico and exports – is 3,360,555.
The safety recall follows a review of ignition issues following the recall in February of 2.6 million Chevrolet Cobalts and other small cars. GM is aware of eight crashes and six injuries related to this recall.
If the ignition switch moves out of the 'run' position, there is an effect on power steering and power braking. In addition, the timing of the key movement out of the 'run' position, relative to the activation of the sensing algorithm of the crash event, may result in the air bags not deploying.
The cars being recalled are:
Buick Lacrosse -- 2005-2009
Chevrolet Impala -- 2006-2014
Cadillac Deville -- 2000–2005
Cadillac DTS -- 2004–2011
Buick Lucerne -- 2006–2011
Buick Regal LS & GS -- 2004–2005
Chevy Monte Carlo -- 2006–2008
In these vehicles, the ignition switch may be unable to handle extra weight hanging on a slotted key. GM will add an insert to the ignition keys of the recalled vehicles to close the slot and leave a 4x6-millimeter hole through which the key ring could be attached. In vehicles where the key cover has been worn, new keys with holes instead of slots will be provided free of charge.
Rework of the keys – adding key inserts – at GM dealerships is expected to begin in the next few weeks. Until the rework or replacement is completed, owners of the recalled cars are urged to remove additional weight from their key chains and drive with only the ignition key.
The five smaller recalls:
- 68,887 2013-14 Cadillac ATS and 21,863 2014 Cadillac CTS sedans. The gearshift cable might not be properly connected to a bracket and the driver might not be able to shift into or out of gear
- 57,192 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 HD and 2015 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 GMC Sierra HD to inspect for proper attachment of power steering hose clamps. If the vehicle is driven with the clamp unattached, the truck suddenly could lose power assist to the steering and brakes nd be harder to control. GM knows of no crashes or injuries from the condition.
- 16,932 model-year 2011 Cadillac CTS sedans with AWD. A gasket leak can cause the driveshaft to comes loose and hit the car's floor, triggering head-protection airbags because sensors think the car is rolling over. GM says 15 unintended airbag deployments have been reported, "but injury data is unclear."
- 712 model-year 2014 Chevrolet Corvettes with optional Competition Sport Seats, because seat-mounted side airbags can inflate improperly, injuring unbelted children riding in the seat. Dealers will install a new-design airbag. GM says it knows of no crashes or injuries, but says owners should prohibit small children from riding in the seat.
- 184 model year 2014-15 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickups with vinyl floors and accessory all-weather floor mats purchased new with the vehicle. The mats can slip under the driver's feet because the vinyl floors have no attachments to secure them in place. GM dealers will refund the price of the mats. GM is unaware of any crashes or injuries related to the mats.
