General Motors (GM) just announced that they will be recalling an additional 1.51 million vehicles worldwide, and they plan to take a $750 million charge in the first quarter to pay for the numerous recalls initiated in the past few months. Currently, there have been approximately 7 million GM vehicles recalled worldwide since early February.
The largest recall involved ignition switch defects that have been linked to several car accident fatalities. Approximately 2.59 million vehicles were recalled for this issue. The latest 1.51 million vehicle recall involves power steering problems. If the power steering fails, it could increase a driver’s risk of a car accident.
Vehicles involved in this new GM recall include:
- Chevrolet Malibu — all 2004-2005 model year vehicles and some 2006, 2008, and 2009 model year vehicles
- Chevrolet Malibu Maxx — all 2004-2005 model year vehicles and some 2005 model year vehicles
- Chevrolet HHR (Non-Turbo) — some 2009-2010 model year vehicles
- Chevrolet Cobalt — some 2010 model year vehicles
- Saturn Aura — some 2008-2009 model year vehicles
- Saturn Ion — all 2004-2007 model year vehicles
- Pontiac G6 — all 2005 model year vehicles and some 2006, 2008, and 2009 model year vehicles
For all recalled vehicles, GM will replace the power steering motor, steering column, power steering motor control unit, or a combination of these at no charge to the vehicle owners.