GM Recalls Midsize SUV’s

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that GM has filed a recall for nearly a quarter of a million SUV’s to correct a potential fire hazard.  According to NHTSA, the recall affects 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazers and GMC Envoy SUV’s, as well as some 2007 Buick Rainiers, Saab 9-7X, and Isuzu Ascenders.  A possible electrical short could affect power windows and door locks, and in some cases cause a fire. 

Back in February of this year, federal regulators began investigating fires in the driver’s side doors of Chevy Trailblazers that began in the power window switch or related electrical parts.  NHTSA had received twelve complaints of fires or smoke in the Trailblazers, but no reports of injuries.  The fires happened both while the vehicles were moving with the engine on, and also while the vehicles were stopped with the engines off.

In October 2008, one woman reported the alarm sounded while her 2006 Trailblazer was parked in her driveway, and when she looked out the window, the SUV was in flames.  When firefighters put out the fire, she was informed the fire started in the driver’s door.  The fire burned not only the entire driver’s door, but the entire driver’s side of the vehicle, a portion of the passenger seat and the roof as well. 

According to the NHTSA online site, fluid may enter the driver’s door module, which can cause corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board.  This short can then cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or stop working, or may also cause overheating, which then could melt components of the door module, thus producing odor, smoke or a fire. 

The fix for this problem is still in the planning stage, and, according to GM officials,  owners will be notified by GM when a plan has been finalized.  Owners can contact NHTSA hotline at 1-800-327-4236 or got to www.safercar.gov for more information.

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