20 Million GM Recalls in 2014: Are you driving one?

The influx of GM recalls in 2014 has led many customers to ask the question, “Who is responsible for fixing my recalled vehicle?”

Many Americans are under the presumption that the previous owner or the dealership they purchased it from should have fixed any recalls on the vehicle if it was pre-existing, or new recalls should be handled by a dealership.

Regardless of how you purchased your vehicle, only the manufacturer is responsible for recalling and repairing your vehicle. In the 20 million GM recalls this year, this lands Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, Saturn, GMC and Pontiac in hot water (at least, the brands that are still operational today).

Many people are under the misconception that their dealership will notify them of a vehicle recall. While dealerships often make an attempt to get the word out, they are under no obligation to do so. In actuality, the manufacturer is legally required to notify the public of any type of vehicle recall. In the case of vehicles purchased from used car dealerships, the responsibility still falls on the manufacturer’s shoulders and their dealerships.

Despite having federal law in place which requires manufacturers to notify customers regarding any relevant recalls, oftentimes it can be difficult to track down who now owns a particular used vehicle. Knowing how to discover the recalls on your vehicle is important and may help avoid preventable mishaps while driving.

The best way to find out the recall status on your vehicle is to look it up on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) website or visiting it by clicking here. Their internal search engine allows you to look up vehicles by the year, make, and model, and provides a list of all known recalls. It lists a summary of each recall, what the consequence of the recall is for consumers, and the steps necessary to remedy the issue.

If your vehicle has been recalled, typically it’s a minor issue and can be fixed at your leisure. Or in the instance of the GM recalls, it can cause serious issues if not remedied. If you find your vehicle on this list:

1. Don’t panic. A recall does not necessarily mean you are in danger. Generally, it is a precautionary and voluntary decision made by the manufacturer. This is a sign that safety is important to the manufacturer, and that they have found a preventable issue with the vehicle. Sometimes, a recall is mandated by the federal government.

2. It is important to confirm your vehicle is actually part of the recall. The manufacturer is required to notify you of a recall via traditional mail. If you didn’t receive a mailed notification, it is best to contact the manufacturer or visit the NHTSA website and check the recall status based on your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN can be found on the driver’s side of the dashboard in front of the steering wheel, on the title or lien paperwork, on the vehicle’s insurance policy, or on the driver’s side doorjamb. Newer models often have the VIN etched into the driver’s side window.

3. After the recall status of your vehicle has been confirmed, you will need to determine if your vehicle is eligible for free repairs. Vehicles that are less than 10 years old fall under the legal requirement for the manufacturer to repair the issue, replace the entire vehicle, or provide a refund for the original purchase price, minus the depreciation value. Older cars typically require the defect be repaired out of pocket.

4. Repairing the vehicle is the last step, but it is a lengthy process at times. The manufacturer is given a grace period in order to determine a course of action. However, some dealerships will honor the recall notification and proceed with free repairs as indicated on the mailer. They are not required to do so. It is a courtesy, so if a dealership declines, you will have to remain patient until official word has been given to process the necessary repairs.

5. If you do run into any hiccups in the recall process be sure to keep the copy of your recall notice and contact the manufacturer or the NHTSA.

Lately, General Motors (GM) has been in recent news due to the increased amount of recalls being made for their various model vehicles. As a convenience to our customers and those of you who own a GM vehicle, a 6-month history of all GM models is provided below with the data provided by the NHTSA. Since recalls have been announced what seems like every few days, please just use this list as a starting point then check with the NHTSA or your vehicle’s manufacturer for additional recall information.

June 18, 2014 – 31,250 Effected Vehicles

Current Recalled Models:

2012 Chevrolet Camaro 

2012 Buick Verano 

Recalled vehicles for the driver side frontal air bag which may not deploy.

June 13, 2014 – 510,000 Effected Vehicles

Current Recalled Models:

2010-2014 Chevrolet Camaro 

Driver’s knee can bump the key and knock the switch out of the “run” position, cause an engine stall, disabling power steering and brakes.

May 21, 2014 – 1,339,355 Effected Vehicles

Current Recalled Models:
Certain 2009-2014 Buick Enclave, made between April 14, 2008 and May 14, 2014
Chevrolet Traverse, made between June 6, 2008 and May 14, 2014
GMC Acadia, made between April 9, 2008 and May 14, 2014
2009-2010 Saturn Outlook, made between April 14, 2008 and March 18, 2010

A steel cable connecting the seatbelt to certain seating positions may degrade and eventually separate with time.

May 21, 2014 – 218,000 Effected Vehicles

Current Recalled Models:
Certain 2004-2008 Chevrolet Aveo with Daytime Running Lights (DRL)

Heat stemming from the DRL unit may melt it.

May 21, 2014 – 19,225 Effected Vehicles

Current Recalled Models:
Certain 2014 Cadillac CTS, made between June 10, 2013 and February 26, 2014

When the vehicle is shut down with wipers still on and they are constrained (by ice or snow cover, etc.) the battery will die and require a jump start. Once this happens, wipers will no longer function.

May 21, 2014 – 1,402 Effected Vehicles

Current Recalled Models:
2015 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, made between April 6, 2014 and May 13, 2014

The air bag unit is attached to a chute, which is then attached to the backside of the instrument panel. This has been done with a weld that was not hot enough and may cause the front passenger air bag to partially deploy in an accident.

May 16, 2014 – 2,440,524 Effected Vehicles

Current Recalled Models:
2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu, made between May 16, 2003 and October 11, 2012
2004-2007 Malibu Maxx, made between June 25, 2003 and April 5, 2007
2005-2010 Pontiac G6, made between May 26, 2004 and January 4, 2010
2007-2010 Saturn Aura, made between April 24, 2006 and May 26, 2009

The Body Control Module (BCM) connection has an increased resistance, sometimes resulting in Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit voltage fluctuations.

May 16, 2014 – 103,158 Effected Vehicles

Current Recalled Models:
Certain 2005-2007 Chevrolet Corvette, made between March 29, 2004 and June 22, 2007

The Under Hood Bussed Electrical Center (UBEC) housing expands, causing the low beam headlamp relay control circuit wire to bend. If bent repeatedly, this may cause a fracture, leading to the low beam headlamp to cease functioning.

May 16, 2014 – 8,208 Effected Vehicles

Current Recalled Models:
2014 Buick Lacrosse, made between January 29, 2014 and March 31, 2014
2014 Chevrolet Malibu, made between February 7, 2014 and March 31, 2014, with 17 inch front brake rotors equipped.

Brake rotors intended for the rear of the car may have been fitted on the front. This may cause the front brake pad to detach from the caliper.

May 15, 2014 – 140,067 Effected Vehicles

Current Recalled Models:
2014 Chevrolet Malibu, made between June 12, 2013 and May 2, 2014, and with a 2.5L engine with the auto stop/start option.

A loss of brake vacuum assist may cause the hydraulic boost assist to be disabled.

May 14, 2014 – 477 Effected Vehicles

Current Recalled Models:
Certain 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, made between May 23, 2013 and March 25, 2014
2014 GMC Sierra, made between May 25, 2013 and March 31, 2014
2015 Chevrolet Tahoe, made between January 29, 2014 and March 27, 2014

The tie rod threaded attachment may not be correctly tightened to the steering gear rack.

May 6, 2014 – 56,214 Effected Vehicles

Current Recalled Models:
2007-2008 Saturn Aura, made between April 24, 2006 and October 31, 2007, with a 4 speed automatic transmission.

The transmission shift cable may break.

May 5, 2014 – 51,640 Effected Vehicles

Current Recalled Models:
Vehicles made between March 26, 2013 and August 15, 2013
2014 Buick Enclave
2014 Chevrolet Traverse
2014 GMC Acadia

The fuel gauge may display incorrect values due to an issue with the Engine Control Module (ECM) software.

May 1, 2014 – 50,571 Effected Vehicles

Current Recalled Models:
2013 Cadillac SRX, made between May 29, 2012 and June 26, 2013, with 3.6L engines

Due to the Transmission Control Module programming, there may be a 3 to 4 second lag in acceleration.

April 1, 2014 – 1,340,447 Effected Vehicles

Current Recalled Models:
2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu
2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo)
2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
2008-2009 Saturn Aura
2004-2007 Saturn Ion
2005-2009 Pontiac G6

At any time while driving, a loss of the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist may occur.

March 31, 2014 – 489,936 Effected Vehicles

Current Recalled Models:
2014 Chevrolet Silverado Light Duty Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab 1500 series
2015 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe
2014 GMC Sierra Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab 1500 Series
2015 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL

A transmission oil cooler line may not be firmly seated in the fitting.

March 31, 2014 – 174,046 Effected Vehicles

Current Recalled Models:
2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze, made between November 28, 2012, and March 7, 2014, with a 1.4L turbo engine

The right front half shaft may break and separate.

March 27, 2014 – 656 Effected Vehicles

Current Recalled Models:
2014 Cadillac ELR, made between September 26, 2013 and February 14, 2014, without adaptive cruise control

The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system software may hinder certain ESC diagnostics, stopping the system from warning the driver that the ESC system is disabled.

March 17, 2014 – 1,176,407 Effected Vehicles

Current Recalled Models:
2008-2013 Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia
2009-2013 Chevrolet Traverse
2008-2010 Saturn Outlook

During a crash, resistance within driver and passenger seat mounted Side Impact Air Bag (SIAB) wiring harnesses may cause the SIAB and seat belt pre-tensioners to not function properly.

March 17, 2014 – 303,013 Effected Vehicles

Current Recalled Models:
2009-2014 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans, made between January 27, 2009 and March 7, 2014, with a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less and with front passenger air bags

In a front impact accident, if the front passenger is unbelted and hits the instrument panel with his or her head, it may not adequately absorb the impact.

March 17, 2014 – 63,903 Effected Vehicles

Current Recalled Models:
Certain 2013-2014 Cadillac XTS, made between February 14, 2012 and March 7, 2014.

If a cavity plug on the brake booster pump connector dislodges, it will allow corrosion of the brake booster pump relay connector.

February 21, 2014 – 355 Effected Vehicles

Current Recalled Models:
Certain 2014 Buick Regal, LaCrosse, Verano, and Enclave, and Chevrolet Impala, Malibu, Cruze, and Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles with automatic transmissions

The transmission shift cable adjuster may detach from the transmission shift lever.

February 10, 2014 – 2,190,934 Effected Vehicles

Current Recalled Models:
2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
2007 Pontiac G5
2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice
2003-2007 Saturn Ion
2007 Saturn Sky
2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice
2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR

This defect affects the safe operation of the airbag system.

For more detailed information, as mentioned previously, search the NHTSA database or if you are a DriveTime customer and own one of the vehicles on this list, please contact your local GM dealership first for repair information or contact us at 1-888-781-5455 if you have any additional concerns about the safety of your vehicle.