GM News: GM Recalls 1.4 Million Older Vehicles To Fix Fire Issue For the Fourth Time

[William Maley]

---

General Motors has ordered a recall on 1.4 million older vehicles equipped with the 3.8L V6 for a fire risk again. The affected vehicles include,

• 1997 - 2004 Buick Regal
• 2000 - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
• 1998 - 1999 Chevrolet Lumina
• 1998 - 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
• 1998 - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
• 1997 - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  

The problem deals with valve covers that degrade and can leak oil. The leaking oil can fall onto the exhaust manifold under hard braking and catch fire. Now the Detroit News reports this is the fourth time that GM recalled vehicles with this problem since 2008. GM says the previous recalls haven't worked because of the "aging and wear to the valve cover and valve cover gasket".

 

Now the bad news is that GM hasn't figured out a fix for this problem. But in the meantime, they are contacting owners about this problem.

 

Source: The Detroit News, General Motors

 

Press Release is on Page 2

---

 

General Motors is recalling 1,283,340 older sedans and coupes in the U.S. from the 1997 to 2004 model years because drops of oil may be deposited on the hot exhaust manifold through hard braking, which can cause engine compartment fires. GM is working on a remedy. The company is aware of post-repair fires in some vehicles but no crashes or fatalities. There have been 19 reported minor injuries over the last six years. These vehicles with 3.8-liter V6 3800 engines are affected: 1997-2004 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 1998-1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue and 1997-2004 Buick Regal. Including Canada, Mexico and exports, the total population is 1,411,332.General Motors is recalling 1,283,340 older sedans and coupes in the U.S. from the 1997 to 2004 model years because drops of oil may be deposited on the hot exhaust manifold through hard braking, which can cause engine compartment fires. GM is working on a remedy. The company is aware of post-repair fires in some vehicles but no crashes or fatalities. There have been 19 reported minor injuries over the last six years. These vehicles with 3.8-liter V6 3800 engines are affected: 1997-2004 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 1998-1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue and 1997-2004 Buick Regal. Including Canada, Mexico and exports, the total population is 1,411,332.

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[Drew Dowdell]

*sigh*.... really... how hard can it be to seal a valve cover?

[aurora97]

Meanwhile, the aftermarket community had already been able to address ANY issue with the 3.8L V6 Series II engine;

http://www.wbodystore.com/gaskets-hardware.html

I just hope that there are no attempts by plaintiff lawyers to try and file any class-action lawsuits over this.

[FordCosworth]

Huh...

[G. David Felt]

This is the legacy of old GM cutting corners. I am sure they will have a fix soon. But sad to see this especially when there is clear superior products to fix this.

[daves87rs]

More than half these cars are in the junkyard already....not going to be much of a recall....

[ocnblu]

Why are they being so proactive on this?  Could it be that so many of these good old GM cars are still in daily use, especially out of the rust belt region of the country?

[FordCosworth]

Why are they being so proactive on this?  Could it be that so many of these good old GM cars are still in daily use, especially out of the rust belt region of the country?

Since there's been over 1300 fires since last recall, one can say GM is not being proactive at all.

[surreal1272]

 

Why are they being so proactive on this?  Could it be that so many of these good old GM cars are still in daily use, especially out of the rust belt region of the country?

Since there's been over 1300 fires since last recall, one can say GM is not being proactive at all.

 

It's not different than the almost twenty years of Ford cruise control issues, some issued more than four times for certain models. GM is going beyond the need considering a big chunk of these models are almost 20 years old. 

 

http://www.lieffcabraser.com/Personal-Injury/Car-Accidents/Ford-Cruise-Control-Switch-Fires.shtml

 

http://www.autosafety.org/ford-cruise-control-deactivation-switch-recalls-and-history

 

Point being "pro-active" is a relative term in this case.

Edited October 28, 2015 by surreal1272

[FordCosworth]

 

 

Why are they being so proactive on this?  Could it be that so many of these good old GM cars are still in daily use, especially out of the rust belt region of the country?

Since there's been over 1300 fires since last recall, one can say GM is not being proactive at all.

 

It's not different than the almost twenty years of Ford cruise control issues, some issued more than four times for certain models. GM is going beyond the need considering a big chunk of these models are almost 20 years old. 

 

http://www.lieffcabraser.com/Personal-Injury/Car-Accidents/Ford-Cruise-Control-Switch-Fires.shtml

 

http://www.autosafety.org/ford-cruise-control-deactivation-switch-recalls-and-history

 

 

 

Wrong thread. This has NOTHING to do with Ford. 

[surreal1272]

Why are they being so proactive on this? Could it be that so many of these good old GM cars are still in daily use, especially out of the rust belt region of the country?

Since there's been over 1300 fires since last recall, one can say GM is not being proactive at all.

It's not different than the almost twenty years of Ford cruise control issues, some issued more than four times for certain models. GM is going beyond the need considering a big chunk of these models are almost 20 years old.

http://www.lieffcabraser.com/Personal-Injury/Car-Accidents/Ford-Cruise-Control-Switch-Fires.shtml

http://www.autosafety.org/ford-cruise-control-deactivation-switch-recalls-and-history

Wrong thread. This has NOTHING to do with Ford.

Correct thread because it was made to illustrate the relative nature of the term "pro active" and how competing companies handle repeat issues. Edited October 28, 2015 by surreal1272

[FordCosworth]

Why are they being so proactive on this? Could it be that so many of these good old GM cars are still in daily use, especially out of the rust belt region of the country?

Since there's been over 1300 fires since last recall, one can say GM is not being proactive at all.

It's not different than the almost twenty years of Ford cruise control issues, some issued more than four times for certain models. GM is going beyond the need considering a big chunk of these models are almost 20 years old. http://www.lieffcabraser.com/Personal-Injury/Car-Accidents/Ford-Cruise-Control-Switch-Fires.shtmlhttp://www.autosafety.org/ford-cruise-control-deactivation-switch-recalls-and-history

Wrong thread. This has NOTHING to do with Ford.

Correct thread because it was made to illustrate the relative nature of the term "pro active" and how competing companies handle repeat issues.

Wrong thread. This is a GM Recall. Nothing to do with Ford.

[Drew Dowdell]

What bothers me is that the prior fixes didn't work... so I want to know what will be different this time.

[surreal1272]

What bothers me is that the prior fixes didn't work... so I want to know what will be different this time.

Yeah it's a mess that seems to be due to some old school incompetence on the part of some long gone idiots. Hopefully a true fix will happen this time.

[Drew Dowdell]

Though I have no information to back this up, my suspicion is that they just did a gasket job with the same part numbers and called it a day. 

[surreal1272]

Though I have no information to back this up, my suspicion is that they just did a gasket job with the same part numbers and called it a day.

Probably. GM has made some of the worst gaskets over the years. My wife's old 3.4L Grand Am had gasket issues.

[FordCosworth]

More than half these cars are in the junkyard already....not going to be much of a recall....

 

When a recall occurs, it will be associated with the vehicle identification numbers (VINs) of all affected registered vehicles.

[daves87rs]

 

More than half these cars are in the junkyard already....not going to be much of a recall....

 

When a recall occurs, it will be associated with the vehicle identification numbers (VINs) of all affected registered vehicles.

 

True.....

[Guest Wings4Life(BANNED)]

Meanwhile, the aftermarket community had already been able to address ANY issue with the 3.8L V6 Series II engine;

http://www.wbodystore.com/gaskets-hardware.html

I just hope that there are no attempts by plaintiff lawyers to try and file any class-action lawsuits over 

 

 

I had several GM products with the infamous 3.8L valve cover leak.  GM made them out of composite for years and many millions made, knowing from day one that they leaked due to warping.  The problem was clearly the material.   Did GM ever bother to switch the material / design?  Heck no.  To this day customers still have to deal with it, because so many are still in customers driveways.  I have two myself, both leaking on my driveway.

Edited October 31, 2015 by Wings4Life

[ocnblu]

Mark this down.  I think that was some sort of sideways compliment to GM. 

[Guest Wings4Life(BANNED)]

Could you be more vague blu. At least tell us who said it, never mind what.

[ocnblu]

It was you, Scarpachi!

[Guest Wings4Life(BANNED)]

Write this down vlahos, I give many compliments to GM.

[ocnblu]

OK thanks!  I do the same fer FoMoCo, FCA and VW, except when they annoy me.

[Guest Wings4Life(BANNED)]

Also good to know. Thanks

[ocnblu]

YW

[Guest Wings4Life(BANNED)]

IBB

[ocnblu]

pardon

[Guest Wings4Life(BANNED)]

matter?

[FordCosworth]

IBB

Actually that's KBB. And they show Market Share from Oct 2014 to Oct 2015

Ford + .6%

GM - .3%

FCA +/- .0%

And to think just the other day here I was reading someone crowing about GM's Market Share increase. Yet the truth of the matter is they've lost MS.

Edited November 1, 2015 by Burnt Valve LS7

[Guest Wings4Life(BANNED)]

^

Also good to know.

I am considering leasing again real soon, and a higher residual always helps reduce the monthly.

[surreal1272]

Yeah, they are just going the Ford route and focusing more on profits.

http://www.autonews.com/article/20151012/OEM/310129962/gm-claims-victory-even-as-its-market-share-slips

 

"GM's share of more-profitable retail sales this year has grown faster than for any of the other six largest automakers, figures from the Automotive News Data Center show. GM has dialed way back on sales to rental-car operators, long its favorite sales-goosing trick. Transaction prices are up, while incentive spending has remained below that of key competitors."

 

in addition,

"But this year's downtick is largely explained by a 50,000-unit reduction in the number of vehicles headed to rental lots, a 14 percent drop. GM's 7.2 percent retail sales growth topped all major automakers, including Toyota (up 2.9 percent) and Ford (up 5.1 percent)."

 

 

It helps when you tell the whole tale.

Edited November 1, 2015 by surreal1272

[FordCosworth]

^

Also good to know.

I am considering leasing again real soon, and a higher residual always helps reduce the monthly.

All I'll say is I found that while cruising another enthusiast site. Someone there posted an article about Oct 2015 up 12% for the industry vs 2014.

[El Kabong]

Yeah, they are just going the Ford route and focusing more on profits.

http://www.autonews.com/article/20151012/OEM/310129962/gm-claims-victory-even-as-its-market-share-slips

 

"GM's share of more-profitable retail sales this year has grown faster than for any of the other six largest automakers, figures from the Automotive News Data Center show. GM has dialed way back on sales to rental-car operators, long its favorite sales-goosing trick. Transaction prices are up, while incentive spending has remained below that of key competitors."[/size]

 

in addition,[/size]

"[/size]But this year's downtick is largely explained by a 50,000-unit reduction in the number of vehicles headed to rental lots, a 14 percent drop. GM's 7.2 percent retail sales growth topped all major automakers, including Toyota (up 2.9 percent) and Ford (up 5.1 percent)."[/size]

 

 

It helps when you tell the whole tale.[/size]

Indeed. GM's products have shown their superiority as of late. No doubt their marketing team is looking to maximize on that superiority.

[FordCosworth]

Yeah, they are just going the Ford route and focusing more on profits.

http://www.autonews.com/article/20151012/OEM/310129962/gm-claims-victory-even-as-its-market-share-slips

 

"GM's share of more-profitable retail sales this year has grown faster than for any of the other six largest automakers, figures from the Automotive News Data Center show. GM has dialed way back on sales to rental-car operators, long its favorite sales-goosing trick. Transaction prices are up, while incentive spending has remained below that of key competitors."[/size]

 

in addition,[/size]

"[/size]But this year's downtick is largely explained by a 50,000-unit reduction in the number of vehicles headed to rental lots, a 14 percent drop. GM's 7.2 percent retail sales growth topped all major automakers, including Toyota (up 2.9 percent) and Ford (up 5.1 percent)."[/size]

 

 

It helps when you tell the whole tale.[/size]

And that tale told here about GM Market Share increase was a what then?

[El Kabong]

Come now. We do not concern ourselves with folks who use trolling user names.

Congrats on breaking 100 posts tho

[Guest Wings4Life(BANNED)]

 

Yeah, they are just going the Ford route and focusing more on profits.

http://www.autonews.com/article/20151012/OEM/310129962/gm-claims-victory-even-as-its-market-share-slips

 

"GM's share of more-profitable retail sales this year has grown faster than for any of the other six largest automakers, figures from the Automotive News Data Center show. GM has dialed way back on sales to rental-car operators, long its favorite sales-goosing trick. Transaction prices are up, while incentive spending has remained below that of key competitors."[/size]

 

in addition,[/size]

"[/size]But this year's downtick is largely explained by a 50,000-unit reduction in the number of vehicles headed to rental lots, a 14 percent drop. GM's 7.2 percent retail sales growth topped all major automakers, including Toyota (up 2.9 percent) and Ford (up 5.1 percent)."[/size]

 

 

It helps when you tell the whole tale.[/size]

And that tale told here about GM Market Share increase was a what then?

 

 

Amazing then that with all that market share gain and sales of high profit segments, they lag so far behind in profit.

 

And that really is the whole picture, not just sales.

[El Kabong]

But GM's profits are better than Ford's.

[FordCosworth]

But GM's profits are better than Ford's.

Maybe in Bizarro World...

$1.4b ( GM ) vs $1.9b ( Ford ).

[El Kabong]

But GM's profits are better than Ford's.

Maybe in Bizarro World...

$1.4b ( GM ) vs $1.9b ( Ford ).

Funny you should put it that way, because I was using the same thought process that wings used here:

http://www.cheersandgears.com/topic/85823-47-grand-0-60-in-46-mt-tests-mustang-gt-pp/page-6

...post #103, to be precise. Now THAT'S a logical thought process, eh

But good on you for mocking thought processes like that. I'm sure your buddy would agree. :D

[FordCosworth]

But GM's profits are better than Ford's.

Maybe in Bizarro World...

$1.4b ( GM ) vs $1.9b ( Ford ).

Funny you should put it that way, because I was using the same thought process that wings used here:http://www.cheersandgears.com/topic/85823-47-grand-0-60-in-46-mt-tests-mustang-gt-pp/page-6

...post #103, to be precise. Now THAT'S a logical thought process, eh

But good on you for mocking thought processes like that. I'm sure your buddy would agree. :D

Very constructive dragging a locked thread here.

[El Kabong]

Now, let's drag this sucker back on topic.

Issuing recalls for 18 year-old cars is probably a bit of an overreaction. But hey, erring on the side of caution is a good flavour of the month to be sampling. Hopefully they add it to the main menu.

[El Kabong]

LOL@slow reaction time.

Bottom line: this recall is a bit frustrating. But hardly the end of the world.

Dragging the subject all willy-nilly is just bad for bandwidth. Good lulz tho

[ocnblu]

GM is the only company with enough cars this old still on the road to even warrant a recall.  Makes me proud.

[surreal1272]

Yeah, they are just going the Ford route and focusing more on profits.http://www.autonews.com/article/20151012/OEM/310129962/gm-claims-victory-even-as-its-market-share-slips

"GM's share of more-profitable retail sales this year has grown faster than for any of the other six largest automakers, figures from the Automotive News Data Center show. GM has dialed way back on sales to rental-car operators, long its favorite sales-goosing trick. Transaction prices are up, while incentive spending has remained below that of key competitors."[/size]

in addition,[/size]"[/size]But this year's downtick is largely explained by a 50,000-unit reduction in the number of vehicles headed to rental lots, a 14 percent drop. GM's 7.2 percent retail sales growth topped all major automakers, including Toyota (up 2.9 percent) and Ford (up 5.1 percent)."[/size]

It helps when you tell the whole tale.[/size]

And that tale told here about GM Market Share increase was a what then?

Maybe you missed the above part where GMs retail sales growth far exceeded Fords and as a result their profits have increased as well, hence me saying that they are going the Ford route. You should be taking that as a compliment but of course it appears that went right over your head. Edited November 2, 2015 by surreal1272

[El Kabong]

It's a bit of a backhanded compliment, blu... but compared to some of the thought processes I've read in here lately it's Einstein-level stuff

Edited November 2, 2015 by El Kabong

[surreal1272]

It really wasn't though. Ford has played it smart with managing their production and inventories, as well as reducing their dependence on rental sales. GM is following suit and that is a good thing.

[FordCosworth]

Yeah, they are just going the Ford route and focusing more on profits.http://www.autonews.com/article/20151012/OEM/310129962/gm-claims-victory-even-as-its-market-share-slips

"GM's share of more-profitable retail sales this year has grown faster than for any of the other six largest automakers, figures from the Automotive News Data Center show. GM has dialed way back on sales to rental-car operators, long its favorite sales-goosing trick. Transaction prices are up, while incentive spending has remained below that of key competitors."[/size]in addition,[/size]"[/size]But this year's downtick is largely explained by a 50,000-unit reduction in the number of vehicles headed to rental lots, a 14 percent drop. GM's 7.2 percent retail sales growth topped all major automakers, including Toyota (up 2.9 percent) and Ford (up 5.1 percent)."[/size]It helps when you tell the whole tale.[/size]

And that tale told here about GM Market Share increase was a what then?

Maybe you missed the above part where GMs retail sales growth far exceeded Fords and as a result their profits have increased as well, hence me saying that they are going the Ford route. You should be taking that as a compliment but of course it appears that went right over your head.

Maybe you missed the part where ' the tale told here about GM's Market Share increase was what then?'

It appears that went right over your head.

[surreal1272]

 

 

 

Yeah, they are just going the Ford route and focusing more on profits.http://www.autonews.com/article/20151012/OEM/310129962/gm-claims-victory-even-as-its-market-share-slips

"GM's share of more-profitable retail sales this year has grown faster than for any of the other six largest automakers, figures from the Automotive News Data Center show. GM has dialed way back on sales to rental-car operators, long its favorite sales-goosing trick. Transaction prices are up, while incentive spending has remained below that of key competitors."[/size]in addition,[/size]"[/size]But this year's downtick is largely explained by a 50,000-unit reduction in the number of vehicles headed to rental lots, a 14 percent drop. GM's 7.2 percent retail sales growth topped all major automakers, including Toyota (up 2.9 percent) and Ford (up 5.1 percent)."[/size]It helps when you tell the whole tale.[/size]

And that tale told here about GM Market Share increase was a what then?

Maybe you missed the above part where GMs retail sales growth far exceeded Fords and as a result their profits have increased as well, hence me saying that they are going the Ford route. You should be taking that as a compliment but of course it appears that went right over your head.

Maybe you missed the part where ' the tale told here about GM's Market Share increase was what then?'

It appears that went right over your head.

 

So you did not read the article at all. Thanks for confirming that because I never said one thing about market share prior. That's you trying to put words in my mouth. Now head on back over to the 2017 GT500 thread so that you and your buddy can keep each other company and work on those up votes. Oh, that's right. You ran outa votes for the day. Oh well.

[El Kabong]

ROFL!