GM Recalls 1.5 Million Vehicles for Various Problems

DETROIT November 4, 2004; Reuters reported that General Motors Corp. has recalled nearly 1.5 million vehicles in North America, including 946,817 sport utility vehicles, to fix tail lights that could loosen and flicker, the automaker said on Thursday.

Also included in four separate recalls are 204,317 mid-size cars for an accelerator that could stick, causing the car to continue speeding and possibly result in a crash.

GM, the world's largest automaker, has recalled a total of 10.47 million vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico this year through the end of October, above the total of 7.8 million for all of 2003, spokesman Alan Adler said.

Despite the high number of recalls this year, GM repeatedly cites independent studies that show its quality improving. The higher recalls stem partly from the recall in March of more than 4 million full-size pickups to replace a tailgate support cable that could corrode and fracture. In addition, the growing number of vehicles using common parts also raises the number of car or trucks subject to a recall, Adler said.

The recall of nearly 1 million SUVs includes the 2002 to 2004 model-year Chevrolet TrailBlazer, TrailBlazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL and Oldsmobile and the 2004 Buick Rainier

Vibration and heat may cause the rear brake and turn signals to stop working, Adler said. The recall includes 871,473 of the SUVs in the United States. GM had given owners a six-year warranty to cover that particular problem before issuing the recall, he said.

STICKY THROTTLE

The recall of the mid-size cars with the sticky accelerator includes the 2003 model-year Chevrolet Malibu, Oldsmobile Alero and Pontiac Grand Am. Four owners have complained about a problem with the throttle, Adler said.

Dealers will inspect, and if necessary will replace the accelerator and brake pedal assembly, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its Web site.

A third recall includes the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunfire small cars for faulty rear brake and turn signals that could fail due to inadequate contact between the bulb and socket.

Dealers will inspect the light sockets and fix the problem by applying grease or replacing the assembly if necessary, the NHTSA said.

GM knew of five crashes and two possible injuries that could possibly be due to the faulty brake and turn signal lights on the SUVs and the small cars, Adler said.

Lastly, GM recalled a total of 5,914 of its 2004 to 2005 Cadillac XLR and new 2005 Chevrolet Corvette sports cars to fix a brake line that could leak. GM discovered the problem internally, and has no reports of customer complaints, Adler said.