Although the Chevrolet Cobalt (as with the Saturn Ion and Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice) splashed all across news headlines due to fatal crashes stemming from faulty ignition switches, the Malibu nameplate, as well as the Pontiac G6 and the Saturn Aura, have been the cars filling the repair centers. Because while Delta platform vehicles such as the Cobalt make up 2.15 million of the General Motors recalls, the Epsilon vehicles, like the Malibu, consist of twice that amount, based on a list GM released today.
Just under 2.2 million Cobalts were potentially affected by faulty ignition switches across all years affected. The Malibu’s woes affect as many as 2.5 million, according to The Wall Street Journal. Problems include power steering, transmission, air conditioning, and brake light issues, and spans across three generations of the nameplate, all the way to 2004 model-year. Of which, most recalls seem to revolve around the 04-07 model years, but analysts fret that GM’s torrent of recalls is far from over.
Comments
Tony Cervone and the GM PR team *desperately* need to get out in front of this by putting a more positive, pragmatic face on the recalls. They need to be very straightforward in their press releases, strongly proclaiming that safety is a top priority for New GM and explaining clearly that they are being proactive in reviewing safety concerns across the board.
They need to make the distinction between Old GM vehicles and the (much improved) products from New GM so people understand that they’re taking responsibility and correcting even the most minute problems that would previously have only warranted a service bulletin.
I’ve yet to hear any major news organization report on anything but “more recalls for GM.” There are never any soundbites from GM or references to their across-the-board safety review, explaining how the industry typically handled problems in the past (bulletins vs. recalls), etc. They need to highlight the safety of their current vehicles and talk about future plans. (I like the idea of quickly moving to pushbutton start across the board to show they’re serious about eliminating this as an issue going forward.)
I’m sure their silence has something to do with their legal department, but the longer they announce recalls without a clear explanation of what they’re doing, the worse the problem will become and the more likely it will be to irreparably harm their reputation.
@JW Very true. As someone who owns a Chevy Cobalt (one that has been in the shop for two months now…) I agree with your statement…not only that but I would be less frustrated with GM and how they handle themselves..
I totally agree here. Mary got out in front on her end but the marketing people have never even woke up yet on what they are doing and why.
All GM has done is step up and tell of new safety things on the new cars.
This is a case where being proactive and open about the actions I feel would be seen as a positive.
Lets face it these recalls are 95% for cars that have been our of production and were mostly made pre bankruptcy.
GM is just cleaning the slate and fixing anything that could be a know issue later. This could be spun in a very positive way if they really wanted to.
I think its not been done in a timely manner, with the current recalls and bulletins. I’ve been experiencing issues due the the recebt recall for 3 years, due to faulty wiring. I was told today that my break lights wasn’t working the advice I was giving was to wait for a letter to come via mail so I can take my car for repair…smh