— General Motors has issued another nine recalls involving about 733,000 cars, trucks and SUVs. This brings the total number of GM recalls in 2014 to about 63 (we're trying to figure that one out) and the total number of recalled GM vehicles to over 29 million.
Chevy Camaro, Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain, Buick Regal, Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac SRX
The largest recall involves over 414,000 vehicles equipped with front seats with power height adjusters. GM names the vehicles as the 2011-2012 Chevy Camaro, 2010-2012 Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain, 2011-2012 Buick Regal and LaCrosse and the 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX.
GM says a bolt could detach from the height adjuster actuator and cause the seat to move up and down on its own. Strangely, GM says the vehicles are safe to drive, yet the automaker says one crash and three injuries are attributed to the defect.
Apparently "safe" to GM means no fatalities have been reported. Yet. About all the company is saying right now is don't touch the adjustable height feature until the bolt is replaced.
Chevy Caprice, Chevy SS, Chevy Silverado, Cadillac ATS, Cadillac CTS, Cadillac ELR, Buick Encore, GMC Sierra
More seat problems have caused GM to recall 124,000 cars, trucks and SUVs. Those vehicles include the model year 2014 Chevrolet Caprice, 2014 Chevrolet SS, 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado LD and HD, 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS, 2014 Cadillac CTS, 2014 Cadillac ELR, 2013-2014 Buick Encore and the 2014-2015 GMC Sierra LD and HD.
GM blames the problem on a laser welding machine that failed to secure a weld on the seat hook bracket assembly.
Data was collected from the machine for a six-month period and showed the laser welding machine might have been losing power it needed to create the weld. GM dealers will inspect the weld and replace the lower seat track if the weld has problems.
The automaker believes only 1 percent of the vehicles will need the track replaced. No reports of crashes or injuries have been recorded.
Buick Regal, Chevy Malibu
Over 120,000 model year 2011-2013 Buick Regals and 2013 Chevrolet Malibus need the body control modules reprogrammed to fix problems with the turn signals.
The cars are equipped with two bulbs in each front turn signal. A driver would get a rapidly flashing turn signal arrow in the instrument panel if both bulbs in one turn signal were burned out. However, there would be no signal to the driver if only one bulb on either side burns out.
GM is unaware of any crashes, injuries or complaints related to this defect, but dealers will still need to reprogram the body control module.
Chevy Impala
Electrical problems are at the heart of the recall of 57,000 model year 2014 Chevrolet Impalas equipped with belt-drive electric power steering.
A failed electrical ground connection to the power steering control module could cause a complete loss of power steering. With the power steering out, drivers would see a warning message and hear a chime, but the steering wheel won't be easy to turn. That could mean trouble at slow speeds.
GM says paint might have leaked behind the nut on the power steering control module ground stud. GM knows of one crash attributed to the defect, but no reports of injuries or fatalities.
Dealers will inspect and clean paint from behind the ground nut, re-torque the nut and update the power steering control module software.
Cadillac CTS
Good vibrations? Not in the case of what is happening in almost 17,000 model year 2011 Cadillac CTS cars. The automaker says vibrations from the drive shaft can cause the car's rollover sensor to deploy the roof rail air bags without warning.
A driver will be in for one heck of a surprise when they get hit by the air bag while cruising down the street. That itself could cause an accident and since the air bag already deployed, there wouldn't be any protection from the crash. At least from the roof rail air bags.
GM dealers will completely replace the rear drive shaft assembly during the recall, but GM didn't say when the recall will begin. If you're getting bad vibes from your 2011 Cadillac CTS, call Cadillac customer service at 800-458-8006 and give them recall number 14233.
Chevy Spark
Over 1,900 model year 2014-2015 Chevy Sparks imported from Korea could go out of control without warning. GM says the Sparks were built with a lower control arm bolt that can come loose.
A loose bolt could cause noise from the front-end and cause the lower control arm to detach from the steering knuckle. Once detached, all steering control will be lost, although GM said it is unaware of any accidents, injuries or fatalities related to the defect.
Chevy Corvette
Over 712 model year 2014 Chevy Corvettes equipped with optional sport seats will be called back to dealers. General Motors says an unbelted child could receive a neck injury if the side air bag deploys. The automaker says it found the seats don't meet GM internal specifications for injury protection.
The recall should begin in August 2014. GM dealers will replace the passenger's side air bag, but until then, owners should not allow small children to ride in the front passenger seat. GM's number for this recall is 14240.
Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra
The Silverado and GMC Sierra are on the recall list again, this time because GM says about 184 model year 2014 Silverado and Sierra trucks have floor mat problems. With images of Toyota running through its head, GM says the floor mat could move, block the accelerator pedal and cause the truck to take off on its own.
GM says the recalled 2014 Chevy Silverado trucks were manufactured May 15, 2013, to January 29, 2014, and the 2014 GMC Sierra trucks were manufactured September 19, 2013, to February 8, 2014.
The affected trucks have optional accessory all-weather floor mats and optional vinyl flooring. The floor mats aren't correctly attached to the flooring, and once the mats move near the gas pedals the trucks won't go back to idle even if you want them to idle.
GM has no idea when the recall will begin, but the automaker will give your money back if you bought the optional items.
Based on details from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall will involve GM providing an "insert" to add to the owners manual. That insert will provide directions on what to do: Don't use any floor mats with the affected 2014 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra.
If you have moving mats, call Chevy at 800-222-1020 or GMC at 800-462-8782 and reference recall number 14310.
Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Suburban, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon Denali
In the smallest recall, 22 model year 2015 Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Suburban, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon Denali SUVs have air bags that could rip upon deployment. GM says the the wrong retaining nuts were used in the roof carriers. The roof rail air bags could tear if the air bags deploy in a crash.
With any questions or screams you have for General Motors, call one of these numbers:
- Chevrolet: 800-222-1020
- Buick: 800-521-7300
- GMC: 800-462-8782
- Cadillac: 800-458-8006
If you own one of the recalled vehicles or might be thinking of buying one, read what owners say about those vehicles.