GM recalls 824,000 1996-98 sedans
boxeroo
01-12-2004, 02:25 PM
GM recalls 824,000 1996-98 sedans
Steering problem may be tied to injury accidents
By August Cole, CBS.MarketWatch.com
Last Update: 1:53 PM ET Jan. 12, 2004
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- General Motors on Monday announced a recall of 824,000 sedans built between January 1996 and October 1997 to find and fix a steering problem that may be tied to reports of accidents and injuries.
The models identified with possible problems in the power-steering gear assembly are the 1996-98 Buick Regal, 1996-97 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, 1997-98 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 1997-1998 Chevrolet Lumina, 1997-98 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 1997-98 Chevrolet Malibu, 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue and 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix.
"Most reports indicate the driver experienced an intermittent loss of power steering assist when making left turns, usually at low speeds," GM said in a statement.
The Detroit-based company will notify owners in early February, and dealers will fix or replace the affected parts at no charge, GM said.
GM shares (GM: news, chart, profile), a component of the Dow industrials, fell 9 cents to $53.72 on the New York Stock Exchange in recent action.
GM spokesman Jim Schell said if customers think they have a problem they should go to their dealers to have the steering inspected, even if a vehicle is off warranty. Of the total being recalled, 750,000 vehicles are in the U.S.; the rest are in Canada.
"We're aware of a small number of injuries, cuts and bruises, related to this condition, but there have been no serious or fatal injuries," Schell said.
GM would not name the supplier of the steering systems on the affected cars and declined to say how much the recall program might cost. It's also too early to tell how long the recall might take or how many cars will need replacement parts.
"We won't know that until the recall is conducted and we get reports from the field," said Schell.
The problem was first identified during warranty repairs that date back to 2001.
It's the second steering-related recall, Schell said. The first was announced in November 2002, and the recall followed soon after. Then, GM recalled 1.5 million 1996 to 1998 vehicles, including the 1996-98 Chevrolet Cavalier, the 1997-98 Pontiac Grand Prix, the 1996-98 Pontiac Sunfire and the 1996-98 Oldsmobile Silhouette, Pontiac Transport and Chevrolet Lumina/Venture minivans.
GM's title as the world's biggest automaker and its high production volumes mean that there may be more problems. But to consumers, a recall of any size is significant, particularly at a time when GM is working to revive its car products after a long run of successes in the truck and SUV market.
"It definitely hurts their image and perception with the consumer," said Karl Brauer, editor in chief of Edmunds.com. Japanese automakers are moving aggressively into the truck market with bigger and bigger vehicles, meaning no incumbent will go unchallenged in any segment. See full story.
"All the domestics need to be concerned about it more than ever before. They owned the truck market because they were the only ones that offered these things," he said.
August Cole is spot news editor at CBS.MarketWatch.com in San Francisco.
Steering problem may be tied to injury accidents
By August Cole, CBS.MarketWatch.com
Last Update: 1:53 PM ET Jan. 12, 2004
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS.MW) -- General Motors on Monday announced a recall of 824,000 sedans built between January 1996 and October 1997 to find and fix a steering problem that may be tied to reports of accidents and injuries.
The models identified with possible problems in the power-steering gear assembly are the 1996-98 Buick Regal, 1996-97 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, 1997-98 Oldsmobile Cutlass, 1997-1998 Chevrolet Lumina, 1997-98 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 1997-98 Chevrolet Malibu, 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue and 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix.
"Most reports indicate the driver experienced an intermittent loss of power steering assist when making left turns, usually at low speeds," GM said in a statement.
The Detroit-based company will notify owners in early February, and dealers will fix or replace the affected parts at no charge, GM said.
GM shares (GM: news, chart, profile), a component of the Dow industrials, fell 9 cents to $53.72 on the New York Stock Exchange in recent action.
GM spokesman Jim Schell said if customers think they have a problem they should go to their dealers to have the steering inspected, even if a vehicle is off warranty. Of the total being recalled, 750,000 vehicles are in the U.S.; the rest are in Canada.
"We're aware of a small number of injuries, cuts and bruises, related to this condition, but there have been no serious or fatal injuries," Schell said.
GM would not name the supplier of the steering systems on the affected cars and declined to say how much the recall program might cost. It's also too early to tell how long the recall might take or how many cars will need replacement parts.
"We won't know that until the recall is conducted and we get reports from the field," said Schell.
The problem was first identified during warranty repairs that date back to 2001.
It's the second steering-related recall, Schell said. The first was announced in November 2002, and the recall followed soon after. Then, GM recalled 1.5 million 1996 to 1998 vehicles, including the 1996-98 Chevrolet Cavalier, the 1997-98 Pontiac Grand Prix, the 1996-98 Pontiac Sunfire and the 1996-98 Oldsmobile Silhouette, Pontiac Transport and Chevrolet Lumina/Venture minivans.
GM's title as the world's biggest automaker and its high production volumes mean that there may be more problems. But to consumers, a recall of any size is significant, particularly at a time when GM is working to revive its car products after a long run of successes in the truck and SUV market.
"It definitely hurts their image and perception with the consumer," said Karl Brauer, editor in chief of Edmunds.com. Japanese automakers are moving aggressively into the truck market with bigger and bigger vehicles, meaning no incumbent will go unchallenged in any segment. See full story.
"All the domestics need to be concerned about it more than ever before. They owned the truck market because they were the only ones that offered these things," he said.
August Cole is spot news editor at CBS.MarketWatch.com in San Francisco.
amisunk
08-27-2004, 06:42 AM
I have a 1997 Oldsmobile Model 88; I am having trouble with my gas gauge not registering properly with consistency. My Olds also has a hesitation that comes and goes. Thank you for any input.
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