WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, 2008

Possible Fire Hazard Sparks Big GM Recall

Nearly 1M Automobiles Affected Because Of Problem With Windshield Wiper Fluid System

  •  (AP / file)

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(AP)  General Motors Corp. said Friday it was recalling 944,000 vehicles because of a problem with a windshield wiper fluid system that could lead to a fire.

More than 850,000 sport utility vehicles, trucks and passenger cars in the United States and nearly 100,000 vehicles in Canada, Mexico and the Middle East are involved in the recall, the company said.

GM said it includes the 2008 Buick Enclave, 2006-2008 Buick Lucerne, 2006-2008 Cadillac DTS, 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade ESV, 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT, 2007-2008 Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Tahoe and Suburban, 2007-2008 GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL, 2006-2008 Hummer H2 and 2007-2008 Saturn Outlook.

The recall involves vehicles with a heated washer fluid system. A short circuit in the system could cause electrical features to malfunction, which could lead to an odor, smoke or potentially a fire.

GM spokeswoman Carolyn Markey said there have been nine reports of fires and three of them have been linked to the system. There have been no accidents or injuries connected to the defect, she said.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation last February into 2007 Yukon and Tahoe vehicles over potential engine compartment fires. In June, the highway safety agency upgraded its investigation into about 2.7 million 2007-2008 GM trucks and SUVs and reported allegations of 41 engine fires.

Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse to fix the problem free of charge, GM said.

For more information, owners may contact Buick at (866) 608-8080, Cadillac at (800) 982-2339, Chevrolet at (800) 630-2438, Saturn at (800) 972-8876, GMC at (866) 996-9436 or Hummer at (800) 732-5493.

© MMVIII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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by oneworldusa September 1, 2008 8:36 AM EDT
By US companies farming out jobs and materials to cheap labor nations while keeping the fat profits for themselves and failing to offer US employees a living wage, they''ve priced themselves out of the US economy.

They want to sell to us, but they won''t employ us for enough to buy their own products and services. So, they go overseas ''cheap,'' then so do the consumers, overseas ''cheap'' but more reliable (cars, not much else).

It''s what the corporations wanted. Don''t feel bad that the CEOs are hurting because of their greed.
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by whitemale08 August 31, 2008 2:34 AM EDT
Again the critics of John McCain going over to Columbia to spread this "globization" krap over seas proves why it didn''t work in the first place.

Sure in the short term it looks like it works because you supplement every body''s falling wages with credit cards and home equity credit lines but once that is over then you''re finished.

Because during that whole time our economy was hollowed out by shipping all of the good paying manufacturing jobs over seas and then the domestic "decision makers" are left with no choice but to cut costs and lay off workers.

That adds to low quality and recalls like in this article.

The Republicans are the "enemy" of the "middle class" and...

8 IS ENOUGH!!!!
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by pollroller1 August 31, 2008 2:33 AM EDT
There was a time when cars made in America WERE junk. I would have never thought of buying an American car. That was until I drove the Cadillac. After test driving the Escalade, I was sold. As I said before, it has been a great car with no problems. Ours is now 5 years old, and I have no intention of getting rid it. Would I buy another one? YES, and I wouldn''t think twice about it.
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by sociald63 August 30, 2008 6:23 PM EDT
strunke - whats the matter - still driving your pinto ... err, i mean yout yugo ??? comparing my hondas to gm is like your ged to my double phd :)
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by incog-nito August 30, 2008 3:30 PM EDT
nrgmizer: The ONLY way we can bring back jobs to the U.S., is to forget "free trade" and restore import tariffs. As long as there are workers overseas making a fraction of U.S. pay under sweatshop conditions, the jobs will go there. Tariffs also bring revenue to the U.S. treasury, possibly allowing for lower taxes elsewhere.
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by strunke August 30, 2008 2:23 PM EDT
Why do these idiot posters like generey post this. Didn''t honda just have a huge recall?? Shut up...geez...
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by timdgrim August 30, 2008 10:06 AM EDT
GM (Giant Mistake)
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by nothappyatall August 30, 2008 7:09 AM EDT
LOL like anyone ever needed a f''king heated washer fluid system before now, hello- it''s called ANTI-FREEZE washer fluid for a reason.

"These parts are not made in America.Companies like GM outsource the making of parts to foreign countries,probably China.

Posted by NSKDuke2

That''s because Americans won''t pay $45,000 for a car made all in the USA from USA parts, we like CHEAP, if you can call $20,000 for 4 wheels and a seat "cheap" that is.
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by incog-nito August 30, 2008 3:49 AM EDT
These parts are not made in America.Companies like GM outsource the making of parts to foreign countries,probably China.

Posted by NSKDuke2 at 03:27 PM : Aug 29, 2008

I suppose it''s once again the Chinese''s fault that an "American" company chooses to cut cost--and corners--by outsourcing their parts overseas, costing American jobs in the process.

It''s always their fault, never ours, right?
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by haoli25 August 30, 2008 3:46 AM EDT
So sad, Mr. Goodwrench has Alzheimers.
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by sociald63 August 30, 2008 2:02 AM EDT
like i said before = gm products sucks and that is why i drive hondas and audis :)
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by beehive21-2009 August 30, 2008 1:26 AM EDT
We invent the rest follow,whats new ? Americans, buy home made.
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by pollroller1 August 29, 2008 7:47 PM EDT
They all give problems. We have an 03 Cadillac Escalade and we haven''t had any problems with ours. It is a great car and we average 15.4 mpg around town. Not too bad for a big car.
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by nskduke2 August 29, 2008 6:27 PM EDT
These parts are not made in America.Companies like GM outsource the making of parts to foreign countries,probably China.
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by generey August 29, 2008 4:52 PM EDT
Good ''ol american made products. Big $$$, little qaulity. Same story, different day.
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