GM Quality Called into Question after Third Recall in One Week
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GM Counters that Most Recalls Affect Older Models
Yesterday, Tuesday, February 10, General Motors announced it will be recalling 127,000 Chevrolet Corvettes, the third major recall in less than one week.
While the recalls will be financially covered by the worlds number one selling automaker, as they are with all manufacturers, they mar the finish of its new “quality” image.
On Monday GM made the announcement that 636,000 midsized SUVs were to be recalled, including 2002-03 model year Chevy Trailblazers, GMC Envoys, Oldsmobile Bravadas and Isuzu Ascenders (that last one only available in the U.S.). This recall was made to preempt additional reports of malfunctioning electronics that short out when water leaks into the wiper module. Reports of accidents make this recall high on GMs priority list.
Last Friday the recall news saw 1.8 million Chevy Cavaliers and Pontiac Sunfires, plus a smaller number of Pontiac Grand Ams and Oldsmobile Aleros, affected by a steering column problem too. This one also involved electronics, but the possible result of malfunction could be an electrical fire. Eighty owners have reported steering column fires so far, forcing GM to move quickly.
If you add them up, GM has announced a total of 2.4 million vehicles within the last six days. This wont help its image in the quality war, especially after taking great strides to improve perceptions of domestic brand reliability when compared to Asian imports.
To be fair to GM, some of the recalls in question affect cars that are either out of production models, or cars due to be updated shortly.
“Were attempting to do our best to improve quality,” stated GM spokesman Jim Schell. “Some of these recalls are being conducted on vehicles that are over five years old, sometimes seven years old.”
Case in point, this latest recall affects 1997 through 2004 model year Corvettes, a model that is due to be replaced this summer with a completely revised 2005 model expected to be an improvement in every way.
The latest recall is the result of electronic column lock steering columns which can lock into place while the car is in motion. To GMs credit it isnt reacting from owner complaints about the problem, but is proactively fixing the steering column before an accident happens - none have been reported.
GM created a failsafe system that shuts off fuel to the engine if the lock fails to release when the engine is turned on, but the fuel shut-off might not work if an electronic control malfunctions, making it possible to drive the car while the steering wheel is locked.
If you own an affected car you will be notified in the second quarter of 2004, with instructions to bring your car to your GM dealer to have the problem fixed.
Only time will tell if this last week of recalls is a mere coincidence of coinciding problems or a sign of continued quality glitches. Oh, how perceptions can turn in a single week.