GM RECALLING 1.4 MILLION VEHICLES OVER OIL LEAK AND FIRE RISK
American car maker General Motors has announced that it will recall 1.4 million cars due to an oil leak and fire risk in some of its models dating back to 1997. The recall marks the third time the car maker has attempted to solve the same issue.
According to the Associated Press, GM has admitted that the faulty cars have caused more than 1,300 fires—some of which were in vehicles that had already been serviced by dealers as part of a past recall. The issue resides in a valve cover gasket that, when degraded over time, allows oil to leak into the exhaust manifold and catch fire. In most cases, cars and property have been damaged by the fires, but the company also reports that 19 minor injuries have also been attributed to the oil leakage defect.
The GM models named in the new recall include:
- Pontiac Grand Prix (1997-2004)
- Buick Regal (1997-2004)
- Chevrolet Impala (2000-2004)
- Chevrolet Lumina (1998, 1999)
- Oldsmobile Intrigue (1998, 1999)
- Chevrolet Monte Carlo (1998-2004)
SUSPICIOUS CITING OF INCIDENTS
As the Associated Press notes, the previous recalls to address this issue occurred in 2008 and 2009, but National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data reporting similar incidents date back much earlier than that. In 2005, more than a quarter of complaints filed for 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix model involved fires similar to the ones that company is now admitting to newest recall. A supercharged Grand Prix fire burned down the home of one owner and the owner’s neighbor in 2006, as well.
It is currently unclear whether or not NHTSA or GM should have reasonably taken earlier action to repair these defects and protect consumers. If you or a loved one have been harmed by one of these oil fires, then it may be time to speak a knowledgeable and dedicated Cameron County auto production liability attorney. At The Cowen Law Group, we have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of clients who have been harmed due to the actions of other individuals and companies. We know what it takes to pursue rightful compensation in these cases and can ensure your rights as a consumer are properly asserted both in and out of the courtroom.