GM Recall 2012 Chevy Impala and Buick LaCrosse Separate Issues Problem

General Motors announced today that it is recalling 11,905 2012MY Chevrolet Impala and 4,293 MY2012 Buick LaCrosse sedans sold in the US and in Canada over two separate issues.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, the 2012 Impala recall affects certain cars manufactured from April 19, 2011 through July 29, 2011 and concerns the installation of the power steering hose. If misplaced, the hose could be damaged and leak power steering fluid onto the engine compartment and the catalytic converter, with the risk of a fire.

From the 11,905 Chevys recalled, 10,334 have been sold in the USA and the rest in Canada. So far, there have been no recorded accidents or injuries related to the issue. GM dealers will inspect the upper power steering hose to ensure it is routed properly and, if necessary, make all repairs free of charge.

 

The recalled 2012 Buick LaCrosse sedans were manufactured from June 9, 2011 through July 2, 2011. The reason for the recall is failure to conform to federal motor vehicle standard No. 126 about the operation of Electronic Stability Control Systems (ESC).

More specifically, the Stabilitrak system, as Buick calls its ESC, has an incorrect calibration that may not detect that a sensor has malfunctioned and, thus, not illuminate the warning light as required. This may cause the ESC to falsely activate, making sudden changes of direction and/or decelerating and possibly leading to loss of vehicle control and an accident.

GM dealers will reprogram the module free of charge. The recall is expected to begin before the end of August.