RECALL: CHEVROLET CAPTIVA
Vehicle Make / Model/ Year(s):
CHEVROLET / CAPTIVA 2011-2012
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS LLC
Mfr's Report Date: DEC 19, 2011
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V591000
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
Potential Number of Units Affected: 3,150
Summary:
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CHEVROLET
CAPTIVA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2, 2009, THROUGH APRIL 21, 2011.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN MANUAL MODE AND IN FIRST GEAR
CAUSES THE ENGINE AND POWER STEERING PUMP TO OPERATE AT HIGHER SPEED THAN
IS TYPICAL. INCREASED PUMP SPEED GENERATES HEAT THAT IS TRANSFERRED TO THE
POWER STEERING FLUID AND CAN RESULT IN POWER STEERING FLUID TEMPERATURES
THAT APPROACH THE POWER STEERING PUMP RESERVOIR’S MELTING POINT.
Consequence:
AFTER PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ELEVATED FLUID TEMPERATURES, THE RESERVOIR
MAY LEAK. LEAKING FLUID, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY RESULT
IN A FIRE.
Remedy:
GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING FLUID
COOLER WITH AN IMPROVED VERSION, FREE OF CHARGE. AN ADVISORY LETTER TO
CUSTOMERS, ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS, WILL BE MAILED IN JANUARY 2012. WHEN
PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, GM WILL SEND ANOTHER LETTER ASKING CUSTOMER TO TAKE
THEIR VEHICLE TO A GM DEALER TO HAVE THE REPAIRS PERFORMED. GM ANTICIPATES
PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MARCH 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT
1-800-630-2438.
Notes:
GM'S RECALL NUMBER IS 11333. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL
HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT
1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV
.