GM recalls over 300,000 more vehicles

A General Motors dealership. (AFP/Mark Ralston)

NEW YORK: General Motors (GM) on Friday (Aug 8) recalled more than 300,000 vehicles, most of them to address ignition problems, taking to over 29 million the number of GM cars recalled this year.

GM, which faces a number of government probes over its handling of ignition switch problems linked to at least 13 deaths, recalled around 215,000 model year 2002-2004 Saturn VUEs because the ignition key can be removed when it is not in the off position. That could lead to unintended vehicle motion, resulting in a possible crash, according to the automaker. GM said it is aware of two crashes and one injury potentially related to the problem.

GM said it knew of no other injuries or crashes related to the other four recalls: more than 72,000 2013 Cadillac ATS and 2013 Buick Encore vehicles because of a problem with the seat belt webbing; 15,000 2014-5 Chevrolet Impalas because of a problem in a latch to a console compartment door; almost 3,000 Chevrolet Aveos from 2009-2010 and 2009 Pontiac G3s for a brake fluid issue; and 3,000 2014 Chevrolet Sparks for attaching bolts that could be inadequately tightened.

GM took a US$1.2 billion charge in the second quarter mainly due to recall expenses. With Friday's announcement, GM has recalled about 29.1 million vehicles this year, according to a tally supplied by the company.

The automaker has been heavily criticized for having known about a dangerous ignition switch problem in its cars for 11 years before starting recalls. That problem is linked to dozens if not hundreds of accidents and at least 13 deaths.

The company has hired compensation expert Ken Feinberg to set up a fund for victims.