If you happen to be the proud owner of a 2007-2009 Saturn Aura Hybrid, Vue Hybrid, or a 2007-2010 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, you may want to read this one carefully. Back in July, GM told the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery packs in the aforementioned vehicles could crack, resulting in the leakage of battery electrolytes and the eventual cutting of power. As such, The General has to replace all battery packs in those mild hybrids. The problem, however, is that The General can’t get enough replacement batteries for the 25,813 vehicles involved.
Last week, GM sent out a notice to dealers informing them that the recall was being put on hold due to “a shortage of replacement batteries,” which is at “a critical level and will probably not improve in the foreseeable future.” The notice states that General Motors has a 4.5 week backlog of claims and a 6-week supply of batteries once the claims are processed.
According to GM spokesman Alan Adler, the battery supplier can only produce 504 units a week. In addition, the batteries will first be sent to warm-weather states because the cracking problem is more likely to occur in those areas. This isn’t the first time GM’s mild hybrids have been recalled. Back in 2008, GM issued a recall for the battery pack due to an internal leak that caused the battery to be inoperable.
Let’s hope GM fixes this issue quickly and doesn’t turn it into the fiasco that has become the heated windshield washer recall. In the meantime, GM is working on its next-generation mild hybrid system that is most likely to appear in the next-gen Chevy Malibu and current-gen Buick LaCrosse and Regal.
Source: Jalopnik
Comments
Yes I have a 2007 Saturn Vue Hybrid and the batteries are cracking like the post states on this website. I contacted my local dealer and they couldn’t find any recalls but the here I read this, want to get it fixed and need to find out how. I’m in fear for my safety and my familys safety while driving it. Can somone please contact me by phone to resolve this issue. Thanks, Brandon
931-952-2255
I would like to know any additional information on the battery problem. I also have a 2008 Chevrolet hybrid with the same problem.
I had a battery replaced in Jan 2011 as per recall. Today my dealership did a system check and said I needed $ 1300 worth of parts .the system had the same signs of loss hybrid function (check engine light on no function of charge needle and the green hybrid function light was off.) I’ve had at least 4 trips to the dealership since 2007 all for the hybrid battery. personally I think the mechanics are not know anything about the 2007 hybrid . I cannot see investing the money when there is no solid proof because they did not want to see what paper I had from the last recall ,it took them 4 hours to come up with a list of parts to replace ,everything but the battery. I personally do not want my wife to drive this vehicle if its not safe. please advise by email or call 337-363-2256 thanks
ok so i have a 09 chevy malibu hybrid my battery went out recently does this replacement cover this i have owned this vehical since 2011 how do i find out if my car has had it replaced ????????
I purchased a used 2007 Saturn Vue Hybrid 2 years ago and I am having difficulty with the ignition (ignition becomes locked and key won’t turn) which is also a reported problem with several of these vehicles. Would someone please contact me regarding this matter. I’m still paying on the loan, travel long distances to work and really need to avoid any additional problems if I can.
I have a low-mileage 2009 Chevy Malibu. 118K on the car. The engine runs fine when the Aux battery is charged but it just seems to run down the battery. Is the alternator to be assumed bad or is it something in the circuitry that will not allow the charge to get to the battery? I notice the recall on the hybrid battery, is there a way to find out if my car had the hybrid battery replaced?