GM Recalls 1.5 Million Vehicles

Government: Drops Of Oil Could Fall From Engine Into Exhaust System, Causing Fires

(AP)  General Motors Corp. is recalling 1.5 million vehicles because of potential engine fires.

GM said there have been no reports of any fires or injuries.

Some of the recalled vehicles are no longer in production. The recall includes the 1998-1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue, the 1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix, 1997-2003 Buick Regal, and the 1998-2003 Chevrolet Lumina, Monte Carlo and Impala.

It involves vehicles with a 3.8-liter V6 engine. The government said drops of oil could fall into the exhaust system and cause a fire in the engine.

GM spokesman Kerry Christopher said it was a precautionary measure for consumers.

[meinnv]

"...Hey I guess acceptable losses did not count in this fiasco. Why GM would you recall vehicles instead of just letitting them burn?" Posted by ahrats


Have you ever thought that some of those car owners only have 1 car, can not afford to get another one and maintaining the one is cheaper?

Have you even thought that car might be what gets them back and forth to work so they are no on welfare or unemployment?

And have you even give a thought that if anyone died as a result of the problem GM would not only face bankruptcy but it would likely forfeit any kind of future comeback? That means that current GM vehicle owners would not be able to get service for their vehicles or parts.

And, how would you feel if your loved one had a car affected by the recall, they were killed or burned & scarred for life? Please do think before you post.

[mswolfestock]

GM cars catching on fire is nothing new. Back in 1999 I had a '95 Chevy Blazer that I bought used from a local dealer. The car was a piece of garbage - I'd put it in the shop for one problem and it would come out of the shop with another different problem. The dealer was a crook and the mechanics were all brain damaged. To this day, I swear I would punch the dealership owner in the face if I saw him. If that wasn't bad enough, GM refused to stand by its product, they left me swinging in the breeze with an unsafe vehicle.

Eventually the silly thing caught on fire when I started it. It had been plauged with electrical problems. I was smart enough to let it burn real well before I called 911. I got enough out of the insurance settlement to buy a Suzuki Grand Vitara, a great little car. I am now driving a Toyota FJ Cruiser and I will never ever drive a GM product.

GM deserves to be bankrupt because they've been selling us bad cars for decades. We need to wise up and buy cars that really work - Japanese, German, etc.

[exaf74]

Even NATHCAR is going Toyota. Gollllly gee Cletus, lookit that thar 'lil sucker go!

[exaf74]

Ho-hum. Another day of american "quality" (union made) junk. Go figure.

[brianbwb-2009]

"...Hey I guess acceptable losses did not count in this fiasco. Why GM would you recall vehicles instead of just letitting them burn?" Posted by ahrats

It is quite possible that even one death from such a problem would seal GMs fate at this particular time, a large lawsuit, and the resulting negative publicity is probably not an acceptable liability at this time.

[brianbwb-2009]

Interesting, what does GM plan to do with engines so old that parts for them are not easy to get, and retooling just to make them is not worth the expense? Will lucky owners get a free overhaul, or possibly an engine replacement on a 10-year-old auto? Or maybe a new hybrid in exchange?

Any of the above, especially the last one, would be positive PR that they couldnt buy at ten times the cost.

[soldat44]

Hey all you foreign car lovers he is a article about toyota raclling 1.35 million vehicles I suppose now we can start trashing hte squint eyes vehicles like you trash american made. This was in jan 28, 2009 but of course our left loving media would not make a big deal out of it, heck the report is reuters not even american media.

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE50R10U20090128
Posted by stimporksuks at 6:23 AM : Apr 14, 2009

Are you saying that there have been as many Toyota recalls as GM?

LOL!!!

[soldat44]

This why I only buy BMW and Toyota. They're more expensive, but a heckuvalot more reliable.

I used to be a die-hard GM customer until 1990 when we bought our first new Camry. There was no comparison to GM.

I was parked behind a brand new Tahoe the other day. When the driver opened his door the upper door trim fell out onto the ground. He just stood there witha disappointed look on his face. $40K+ and it's still falling apart. GM hasn't made a decent car since the mid-60's.

[geminispyder-2009]

The American Big 3 should no longer apply to GM, Ford , and Chrysler.

The title should belong to Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman; where Made in America doesn't mean junk.

[Newster1]

JUNK, more JUNK, every year we go thru these massive recalls!

[Kuei1248]

GM's 3.6L v6 is complete crap.

[ahrats]

Hey I guess acceptable losses did not count in this fiasco. Why GM would you recall vehicles instead of just letitting them burn?

[DoubleHappiness88]

GM = JUNK

It is astoundingly arrogant that GM solicits the loyalty of American buyers to whom GM has shown no loyalty or respect by producing poor quality products for decades.
Foreign competition did not kill GM; General Motors committed suicide.

[jamesguy]

I'd call this the last nail in the GM coffin, but the GM coffin seems to have an almost unlimited capacity for nails.

[djberson]

You know, this article clearly says that the cars being recalled ar 5-10 years old, and this "problem" has never actually caused a problem. All you import drivers who want to make yourselves feel better or try and justify your total lack of support for the home team by bashing American cars at every opportunity, well it is just not right. First of all, GM makes very very good cars. In fact, Buick was just rated #1 in long term quality..Buicks require the LEAST amount of repairs of any brand car sold over three years of driving it off the lot. That is ahead of Toyota and way ahead of Honda and Nissan. Secondly, I actually drive an American car, unlike many of you that just drive your imports without even giving an American car a chance. . It is a 9 year old Pontiac Bonneville SSei with 116K, and it is simply a joy to drive and super reliable. Please stop trashing our cars!!! OUR cars. You should all be proud of and support American Companies, and if you are afraid of getting a lemon read product reliability reviews. There are many American brand models to choose from, something for everyone... including sporty models, fuel efficient models, and yes... models highly rated for reliability!!! Go google JD Power and Associates automotive ratings to see for yourself.

[Thomas Orsi]

Has no one here read that NONE of the vehicles has had a single problem, and that the government initiated this? NO PROBLEM. Japan can recall your Honda for anything that is NO PROBLEM too. Think people. Political move. Obvious. What else could it be? Bailing-out, recall for something made 10 years ago that has worked without incident, makes a 1. stronger hand for government control or 2 Less. You all just demonstrated how easily led you are to think it is better for government to control the all-time biggest car maker in the world. Do you think they got that way because nothing they makes works? Please think outside of CNN hypnotic blurry blue light. GM's issues were far from complete demise. This was done from outside, not in.

[achangenow]

I owned one GM product ("88 Chevy Pickup) that was a total piece of junk. Think it's insane for GM to build inferior products and then allow the CEO to receive an outrageous bonus for running the company into the ground! GM was the largest auto company for 75 years but far from the best. Bigger is not necessarily better. They rested on their laurels and now it's biting them in the b$tt! I will definitely not purchase another GM product.

[marx4prez]

This is a stupid recall notice, look at the model years, any old car can leak oil out of any of about 50 places on an engine if it's got some years and miles piled on it. Heck, I think all the used cars I ever owned all leaked engine oil, and sometimes it makes it to the exhaust manifold and other parts of the exhaust, it just cooks off, I don't think it would start a fire, unless it was alot of oil, but drops are no big deal. You have a better chance of starting a fire if the guy in front of you tosses a lit ciggarette butt out the window and your intake sucks it up and it gets caught in your air filter. The rushing air just lights it up faster! lol

[riob678]

What I wonder is why a company like GM didn't go out of business long ago. The only new GM product I ever purchased was a 1972 3/4 ton pickup. It was without a doubt the worst vehicle I ever owned; couldn't keep a transmission (automatic) in the miserable beast. All I ever pulled with it was a 21 foot travel trailer. Heck, even my 1970 AMC Rebel was able to pull the trailer without the transmission falling apart.

[tramtrack]

GM makes me ashamed to be an American. Can't they get anything right?!