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GM Daewoo Recalls 200,000 Matiz Units


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Seoul March 20,2004; Bae Keun-min writing for the Korea Times reported that GM Daewoo Auto & Technology has informed the Ministry of Construction and Transportation of its decision to recall 197,565 units of its Matiz subcompacts to fix manufacturing defects.

Two kinds of defects were detected, including rust prevention capability problems for the engine and defects with the rings connecting the clutch cables.

Although engine coolant has to be exchanged for every two years, the changing time was set as three years, resulting in low performance in preventing rust. Also, there is a possibility that some of the rings may be cut due to a lack of lubrication.

The recall affects 190,171 units built between Feb. 1, 1998 and April 23, 2000, of which the capability against rust is insufficient, as well as 7,394 units assembled between Oct. 1, 2002 and Nov. 23, 2003, of which the cable-connecting ring in the manual transmission is defective.

Owners of recalled vehicles can receive free repairs at GM Daewoo shops from Tuesday for the next 18 months.

GM Daewoo on Tuesday also recalled 163,977 units of the LPG-powered minivan Rezzo manufactured between Dec. 27, 1999 and Mar. 1, 2004 because of a faulty engine control module.

The defective vehicles have been found to have oil leaks that lead to engine damages as the leakage may lead to failure for the oil to lubricate between the inside of the engine and pistons.