With new recall, GM has recalled about 15 times more vehicles than it has sold

With new recall, GM has recalled about 15 times more vehicles than it has sold

It appears General Motors is in the recall business, and business is booming. The troubled automaker just recalled another 3.16 million vehicles from the 2000 to 2014 model years for ignition concerns. This brings the total number of vehicles recalled by GM this year in the United States to 17.7 million—about 15 times the number of vehicles it sold.

To the other ignition-related recalls, GM is adding millions more models because of risk that the key can move out of the “run” position due to carrying extra weight and a jarring event, defined as including driving over railroad tracks, a washboard surface, or a pothole. GM cites eight crashes and six injuries related to this group.

Despite the similarities with other recalls, a GM representative said the Camaro and the models cited below do not share ignition components.

Rather than replace the ignition hardware, as with some previous recalls, this notice calls for dealers to add an insert to the key slot (where it hangs from a key ring) to close it down to a simple 4x6-millimeter hole. Although it covers a huge number of cars, this simple action should keep costs to a minimum for the automaker.

Recalled cars include:

2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse
2006-2011 Buick Lucerne
2005 Buick Regal LS & GS
2000-2005 Cadillac Deville
2007-2011 Cadillac DTS
2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala
2006-2008 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

The fix will be available at dealerships in a few weeks. Until then, GM encourages drivers to remove heavy key chains and preferably drive with just the ignition key.

Making good on the promise by GM's CEO, Mary Barra, to Congress to increase GM’s scrutiny of safety issues and take action when warranted, the automaker has added five other new recalls:

2013-14 Cadillac ATS (68,887) and 2014 Cadillac CTS sedans (21,863): Automatic transmission shift cable may not be fully secure.

2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 HD and 2015 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 HD (57,192): Inspection needed for proper attachment of power steering hose clamps to the steering pump. A problem could result in fluid draining and the loss of steering.

2011 Cadillac CTS AWD sedans (16,932): A gasket leak can lead to a series of events that affect the rollover sensor and can deploy the roof-rail air bags, as has happened at least 15 times.

2014 Chevrolet Corvettes with optional Competition Sport Seats (712): An unbelted child and door trim may block the passenger seat side air bag vent during deployment. The correction is a new air bag.

2014-15 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra (184): With vinyl floors, there is a risk that all-weather mats can slip around dangerously, as there are no anchors. Rather than provide anchors, this recall asks owners to take their mats back to the dealership for a refund.

In the recall aftermath, is it smart to buy a GM car? Read our take.

—Jeff Bartlett

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