General Motors has issued a recall for 38,197 2012 and 2013 model year Buick LaCrosse eAssist, Regal eAssist, and Chevrolet Malibu Eco mild hybrid vehicles due to a malfunctioning generator control module that could slowly drain the battery, causing an indicator to light up in the dash. If that indicator is ignored by the driver, the engine may stall. And in the most extreme cases reported, “a burning or melting odor, smoke, and, in rare instances, a fire in the trunk” can take place. Most incidents are said to have occurred within the vehicles’ first 1,000 miles of operation.
GM says the issue is not with the eAssist battery pack itself, but is rather caused by the overheating of the control board. Only one trunk fire has been reported, and no injuries have been reproted at this time. Vehicles built after December 2012 are not part of the recall.
Comments
all three will perhaps be a drop of water in the pond of hybrids as, some competitor brands get as good mileage without the GM ECO tech . Christian Science Monitor in their vehicles review quoted CNN for their comment ” the Malibu Eco is maybe the most disliked car of the year to date (Jan-Apr. 2013) . I looked up the non eco 2013 Malibu comparison on the internet , there are pages and the results are similar from Motor Trend to Car and Driver to Car Connection to US News…only a few in two pages of results condemned the back seat , most were about : thirsty engines , steering feel , interior packaging , lack of balance … front end appears longish and rear too short . The most telling comment from US News , who rated the Malibu as 17th out of 18 mid-sized sedans tested , said ; On its own merits the Malibu is a solid quiet comfortable ride , but its the competition that weighs so heavily with better all-around products , more fuel efficient , with more space and better interiors . This is one tough market segment so Alex , any hints about making a 2014 one available to you for an exclusive preview ?
“front end appears longish and rear too short”
that’s because the people reviewing these vehicles have to taste in design, the short hood long rear end on camry and accord looks weird by comparison.