Chevy Cruze Recall: GM Recalls Popular Model For Safety Modifications

Chevy Cruze Recall

General Motors has issued a Chevy Cruze recall affecting nearly half a million units of the popular model.

The Chevy Cruze recall covers 413,418 units sold in the United States during the 2011 and 2012 model years and another 60,000 sold in Canada.

The recall involves modifying the engine shield under the vehicle to prevent any liquids, such as motor oil, from being trapped in the engine compartment, GM said in a press release on Friday.

In a separate safety recall, GM said it will inspect certain cars included in the first recall to assure all welds in the rear compartment were properly applied. Omitted or partially completed welds in up to 249 cars may affect the fuel tank strap secondary brackets attachment to the floor structure and a sub assembly to the rear floor pan.

It added that there are no known crashes, injuries or fatalities related to either recall.

“The most important thing for our customers to know is that we are proactively working to assure the Chevy Cruze is the safe and durable car they purchased,” said GM vice president of Global Quality Alicia Boler-Davis. “We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by these actions.”

All the affected cars were built at GM’s plant in Lordstown, Ohio, from the start of production in 2010 through this past May.

Improper engine oil change procedures on these vehicles can result in the spilling or dripping of oil. If oil contacts hot engine or exhaust system surfaces, and the engine shield, the shield may ignite and burn, resulting in a possible engine compartment fire.

In Cruzes with manual transmissions, continuing to drive with a completely worn clutch may cause hydraulic fluid to be expelled from the clutch housing vent hole. Under certain circumstances, the fluid could be burning as it exits the vent hole. If it contacts the engine shield, the shield may ignite and a fire may spread to the engine compartment.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a preliminary investigation in April of this year as a result of two engine compartment fires in 2011 model year Cruzes and later added the 2012 model year.

Modifying the engine shield will take about 30 minutes in a Chevrolet dealership service department and will be conducted free of charge. No parts are involved and customers are encouraged to make an appointment with their dealer at their earliest convenience. Owner letters will mailed be beginning July 11. Inspection for the possible missing welds takes only a few minutes. In confirmed cases, the repair would take about three hours.