General Motors Co. has announced the recall of 1.5 million vehicles due to a problem with the heating mechanism on several windshield cleaning systems that may present a vehicle fire hazard. According to a Los Angeles Times report, the automaker is expected to provide vehicle owners with $100 and turn off the heating mechanism within the system that releases cleaning fluid onto the windshield.
Vehicles affected by the GM recall include:
- Buick Lucerne, Cadillac DTS, Hummer H2 (2006-2009 Models)
- Buick Enclave, Cadillac CTS (2008-2009 Models)
- Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL; Saturn Outlook (2007-2009 Models)
- Chevrolet Traverse (2009 Model)
The recall may cost GM up to $150 million since the automaker cannot fix the defect within the heated cleaning fluid distribution system; instead, GM can only disable it. While some fire incidents may have gone unreported, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that it is not currently aware of any injuries, accidents, or deaths caused by the GM heating mechanism defect. However, NHTSA validates the serious risk of fire presented by these models if the system is not disabled.
The importance of an automaker’s timely response regarding vehicle defects and recalls cannot be stressed enough. But why do these automobile flaws occur in the first place? Regardless of the reasons, if an accident or fire occurs due to a defective vehicle component, injured victims may seek compensation for expenses associated with their injuries.
The aggressive and skilled Los Angeles auto product defect attorneys at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP have extensive experience in personal injury and product liability litigation. The plaintiff’s firm obtained the largest product liability judgment in American judicial history against General Motors after members of a family sustained serious burn injuries when a car fuel tank exploded. To learn more about Panish Shea & Boyle’s successful auto product liability track record, please visit www.psblaw.com or call 877-800-1700 for a no-cost consultation regarding your potential auto defect injury case.
