— What's it like to recall over six million cars in three months? Management at General Motors will have the answer as they today announced a recall of over 1.3 million vehicles for power steering problems.
Tomorrow GM faces a House of Representatives panel to answer questions about why it took 10 years to recall cars with a known ignition switch defect. But today, it's another GM recall to bring the total number of vehicles recalled in a three-month period to over six million cars, trucks, and SUVs.
Today's recall is a bit confusing because not only are there no repair parts currently available, but GM is performing the recall in what they call five "bulletins."
Some of the cars are the same models already recalled for the ignition switch defect, but today's recall relates to power steering problems. GM said the electric power steering could lose power at any time while driving.
That part is easy to understand. Understanding the recall process for each car will take more effort, or tranquilizers.
GM doesn't know when any of this will happen. The best they can say is an initial notification letter will be mailed at the end of April 2014.
GM Bulletin 14115
Covers the following cars that will have the power steering motor replaced by GM dealers.
- 2004-2007 Saturn Ion
- 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR
- 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
GM Bulletin 14116
Covers the following cars, but only those built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. GM dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly.
- 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx
- 2005-2006 Pontiac G6
- 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu
- 2008-2009 Pontiac G6
- 2008-2009 Saturn Aura
GM Bulletin 14117
Covers the following cars but only those built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. GM dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and power steering motor controller unit.
- 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
- 2008 Pontiac G6
- 2008 Saturn Aura
GM Bulletin 14118
Covers the following cars but only those built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. GM dealers will replace the power steering motor controller unit.
- 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
- 2008 Pontiac G6
- 2008 Saturn Aura
GM bulletin 14119
Covers the following cars where GM dealers will replace the power steering motor for the life of the vehicle.
- 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo)
- 2003 Saturn ION
If you're confused, take a number, get in line and call your manufacturer.
- Chevrolet: 800-630-2438
- Saturn: 800-553-6000
- Pontiac: 800-620-7668
GM's number for this recall is N140115.
