The recall affects several pickup trucks, sport utility
vehicles, crossovers and passenger car models from the 2006 to 2009 model
years. GM conducted a similar recall in 2008 but came across new reports of
fires in vehicles that had been fixed.
GM said it would disable the heated washer fluid system
module that could lead to fires. The Detroit automaker will pay owners and
those leasing vehicles $100 each since the feature is being disabled.
GM said it was aware of five fires but there had been no
injuries or crashes reported. Nearly 1.4 million vehicles are in the US and
more than 100,000 vehicles are in Canada, Mexico and other international
markets.
"While our analysis shows the number of incidents is
very small compared with the number of vehicles on the road, we want our customers
to have complete peace of mind," said Jeff Boyer, GM's executive director
of safety.
The recall covers the 2006-2009 model year Buick Lucerne,
Cadillac DTS, and Hummer H2; 2008-2009 Buick Enclave and Cadillac CTS;
2007-2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV and Escalade EXT; 2007-2009 Chevrolet
Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban and Tahoe; 2007-2009 GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon
and Yukon XL; 2007-2009 Saturn Outlook; and 2009 Chevrolet Traverse.
The auto company said customers will begin to receive recall
letters later this month but can contact their dealer to make an appointment to
have the heated washer system removed. Dealers will remove the heated washer
fluid module and reroute washer fluid hoses.
GM said the technology, which helps melt ice in freezing
temperatures, was available from only one supplier, Microheat Inc., of
Farmington Hills, Michigan, which went out of business, preventing GM from
working with another supplier on an improved design.
GM recalled more than 900,000 vehicles because of the heated
washer fluid system in August 2008 because a short circuit on the circuit board
could overheat the ground wire. The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration had opened an investigation in February 2008 into 2007 Yukon and
Tahoe vehicles over potential engine compartment fires.
The government closed its investigation after the 2008
recall but GM later came across fires in vehicles that had been fixed under the
previous recall, prompting the latest safety action.
