General Motors is planning to recall 1.4 million previously-recalled vehicles due to an issue that could lead to a fire.
This recall will be the third to fix the issue on the same vehicles since 2007. The previous recalls took place in 2007 and 2009 and included 1.1 million of the cars included in this latest recall. Affected vehicles are over 10 years old.
The defect: oil leaks onto a hot engine manifold, which typically happens after “hard braking”, according to GM.
The hazards: engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
According to GM, 1,345 cars caught fire after they were previously fixed by dealers, meaning that even car owners who had their vehicles repaired will need to bring them back for another fix.
About 85 percent of the fires took place when the car was shut off and there was no one around the car, said GM spokesman Alan Adler.
GM is aware of 19 reported minor injuries over the last six years tied to the problem but no crashes or deaths.
Affected vehicles:
- 1997-2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
- 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala
- 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina
- 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
- 1998-1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
- 1997-2004 Buick Regal
Number of vehicles affected: 1.4 million, of which 1,003,556 are in the United States.
The fix: GM is finalizing an improved remedy that will be applied free of charge.
Vehicles that are covered by the previous recalls (08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201) that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number, once the improved remedy has been finalized. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.
Owners should: GM’s 2009 recall letter strongly recommended that owners of affected vehicles do not park their vehicle “in a garage, car port or other structure.”
Customers looking to find out if their vehicle is included in this GM recall should visit recalls.gm.com. There, owners will be able to enter their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see any open recalls as well as customer satisfaction programs. If the vehicle is part of the recall, customers should take it to a General Motors dealer.
Since the Pontiac and Oldsmobile brands have been discontinued by GM, owners of these vehicles can go to any Chevrolet, Buick, GMC or Cadillac dealership for the repair.
Owners can also contact Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, or Oldsmobile customer service with questions by using the following information.
Contacts:
- Chevrolet Customer Service: 1-800-222-1020
- Buick Customer Service: 1-800-521-7300
- Pontiac Customer Service:Â 1-800-762-2737
- Oldsmobile Customer Service: 1-800-442-6537
- GM Recall Number:Â 15757
- Previous GM Recall Numbers:Â 08V-118, 09V-116, 15V-201
- NHTSA Toll Free: 1-888-327-4236
- NHTSA (TTY): 1-800-424-9153
- NHTSA Website: www.safecar.gov
- NHTSA Recall Number:Â 15V701000
Comments
“…Ford The Third Time…”?
There is No car company that would do this for the second time, Kudos to GM for Practicing What they Preach about Safety!! 😉
The 3.8 leaked oil since it was first used in the 60’s by Buick in it’s First Gen. The 2.5 Iron Duke was even worse when they went to silicone in the 80’s on the Valve Cover.
Good engine but it was never a well sealed engine and the plastic valve covers and silicone sealer in the FWD transverse location just made it worse.
This kind of issue was far more wide spread than most realize and many companies had issues with leaks.
I used to make a lot of money fixing them.
Any of the Fiero fires were mostly due to the 2.5 leaks and when it caught fire all you had over it was a molded fiberglass deck lid that caught fire.
The 3.8 I had in a Holden VN Calais never had that issue, even with over 350,000 miles on it (and yes it is the same engine). Had numerous other issues, but not a single oil leak. Although part of that might have been due to it being rear wheel drive.
the 3.8 in my 01′ Grand Prix never had this issue – even after 252,000 miles. Scott, it’s funny you mention the Fiero. I will be putting that engine/transmission from my GP into an ’86 Fiero this coming year.
What about all the toyota recalls? toyota is JUNK
The oil leak is from the valve cover gaskets being shitty. Always has been and always will be until they are replaced.
My 97 3800 Series II has had an oil leak from the front valve cover for years, it’s not the problem.
The fires are from dried up o-rings on the fuel lines or injectors. This has been known for years, just dig through some old threads on the graveyard that is http://www.ClubGP.com.
The L67 only recall for fires was the valve cover gasket, which was a nice freebie repair but not the issue.
The bullshit spark plug loom recall on the L36 just removed the plastic loom exposing the side of the warped valve cover (replaced with spark plug ties/clips/organizers).
I hate my car now. I bought my 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix in 2004. It has 152,433 miles on it don’t you think that after all of this time if it was going to fail that it would’ve. I caved and took my car in 12/17/16 at 11:00 am and go it back at 4:00 pm. I got into my car and heard this whine and i immediately looked for my service guy. And I was told that they had to remove the housing/cover that covered my Turbo Charger and that I would just have to get used to the whine. The recall did not include replacing the housing/cover and my old one no longer fix. Why didn’t they think of that, now my car has lost it actual 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP integrity because the housing stated Turbo Charger on it. I wished I never had taken my car into to have the recall worked on.
This is jeff Gipson I have a 03 Impala that I went to Allen Turner Chevy in Crestview Florida for recall 15757 they had it for two days and they replaced the front valve cover and never touched the back one what the hell is that a job only half done. The back one also is leaking oil as well that is not acceptable . They need to fix it the right way not half assed