Recall Roundup: String of GM Recalls Continues; BMW, Suzuki Also Issue Recalls

In an ongoing effort to address safety issues and improve its internal processes, General Motors (GM) issued recalls for approximately 2.6 million vehicles last week, dating back to the 2004 model year. During the past week, BMW and Suzuki also issued recalls. Details are below, in alphabetical order by manufacturer.

2014 BMW X5

BMW is recalling 6,400 model-year 2014 X5 vehicles manufactured December 12, 2013, through March 10, 2014, and equipped with the Soft Close Automatic (SCA) option. The rear side door lock mechanisms may not have been manufactured to correct tolerances, and when the inside door handle is pulled, the previously engaged child safety lock could disengage. This would allow the rear-seat occupant to pull the door handle twice and open the door while the vehicle is parked or in motion.

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear side door locks and any affected door locks will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in May 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417, and may refer to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) campaign ID number 14V202000.

2014 Cadillac CTS

GM is recalling 19,225 model-year 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, through February 26, 2014. If the vehicle is turned off with wiper functionality left on and the wipers then become restricted, such as when covered in ice or snow, and the vehicle's battery goes dead and needs to be jump started, upon being jump started, the wipers will be inoperative. An inoperative windshield wiper system may decrease the driver's visibility.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front wiper module, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14157; owners may also refer to NHTSA campaign ID number 14V253000.

2015 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV

GM is recalling 1,402 model-year 2015 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV vehicles manufactured April 6, 2014, through May 13, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the air bag module is secured to a chute adhered to the backside of the instrument panel with an insufficiently heated infra-red weld. This may result in only a partial deployment of the front passenger air bag in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles do not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

GM sent to owners an interim notification letter on May 16, 2014 to advise them of the recall, and will mail a second letter when remedy parts are available. When the parts are available, dealers will replace the instrument panel right side upper trim panel, free of charge. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14220; owners may also refer to NHTSA campaign ID number 14V259000. Note: Owners are advised that until the vehicle has been remedied, occupants should not sit in the front passenger seat position.

2004-2008 Chevrolet Aveo

GM is recalling 218,000 model-year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Aveo vehicles equipped with daytime running lights (DRL). In the affected vehicles, there may be heat generated within the DRL module located in the center console in the instrument panel, which could melt the DRL module. If the DRL module melts due to the heat generation, it could cause a vehicle fire.

The remedy for this recall campaign is still under development. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's recall number for this campaign is 14236; owners may also refer to NHTSA campaign ID number 14V261000.

2015 Chevrolet Silverado HD

2015 GMC Sierra HD

GM is recalling 58 model-year 2015 Chevrolet Silverado HD vehicles manufactured January 8, 2014, through February 27, 2014, and 2015 GMC Sierra HD vehicles manufactured January 9, 2014, through February 14, 2014, and equipped with a 220 Amp Generator (RPO KW5). In the affected vehicles, the retention clips that attach the fuse block to the vehicle body can become loose allowing the fuse block to move out of position. If this occurs, exposed conductors in the fuse block may contact the mounting studs or other metallic components, causing a short to ground event. This could result in an arcing condition, and combustible materials located nearby could ignite and result in an engine compartment fire.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuse block to verify that it is properly secured, repairing it as necessary, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet) or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14208; owners may also refer to NHTSA campaign ID number 14V265000.

GM: Various 2009-2014 Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, Saturn Vehicles

GM is recalling a total of 1,339,355 vehicles, including model-year 2009-2014 Buick Enclave vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through May 14, 2014; Chevrolet Traverse vehicles manufactured June 6, 2008, through May 14, 2014; GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 9, 2008, through May 14, 2014; and 2009-2010 Saturn Outlook vehicles manufactured April 14, 2008, through March 18, 2010. In the affected vehicles, the flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue and separate over time. If the steel cable becomes fatigued and separates, the seat belt may not properly restrain the seat occupant.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair and replace the lap pre-tensioner, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's recall number for this campaign is 14187; owners may also refer to NHTSA campaign ID number 14V266000.

GM: Various 2004-2008 Saturn, Chevrolet, Pontiac Vehicles

General Motors is recalling a total of 1,131,113 vehicles, including 56,214 model-year 2007 and 2008 Saturn Aura vehicles; 1,074,899 model-year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2003, through October 5, 2007; model year 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured from June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007; and model-year 2005-2008 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured from May 26, 2004, through September 28, 2007, and equipped with 4-speed transmissions. If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, although the PARK position may have been selected, the transmission may not be in PARK. If the vehicle is not in the PARK position, the vehicle could roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter.

GM will notify owners, and GM dealers will replace the shift cable assembly and mounting bracket, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 14152; owners may also refer to NHTSA campaign ID number 14V224000.

2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza

2004-2008 Suzuki Reno

Suzuki is recalling 184,244 model-year 2004-2008 Forenza vehicles and 2005-2008 Reno vehicles manufactured from September 1, 2003, through July 30, 2008. In the affected vehicles, heat may be generated in the headlamp switch or daytime running light (DRL) module, which could melt the headlamp switch or the DRL module, increasing the risk of a fire.

Suzuki wil notify owners but the manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. The remedy for this recall campaign is still under development. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is XA; owners may also refer to NHTSA campaign ID number 14V262000.