GM Recall Affects 1.5 Million Vehicles | Oil Leak Could Cause Fire

GM will replace faulty part for free

Chevrolet Lumina

General Motors is recalling 1,497,516 cars because of an oil leak that could start an engine fire. The company says the root of the problem is the plastic spark plug retention channel.

GM dealers will replace the defective part with two new spark plug wire retainers for free.

Affected cars

The GM recall affects the following vehicles, all of which have a 3.8-liter engine, are being recalled:

• 1997-2003 Buick Regal
• 1998-2003 Chevrolet Lumina
• 1998-2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
• 1998-2003 Chevrolet Impala
• 1998-99 Oldsmobile Intrigue
• 1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix

Details on defect

GM explains that some of the vehicles drip oil on the exhaust manifold if the driver slams on the breaks.

That could start a small fire that could spread to a plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond, increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says.

Already in hot water

It’s no secret that automakers in general are in trouble. GM has already taken $13.4 billion in short-term loans and bailout money from the government. It seems this little glitch couldn’t come at a worse time for the company. To quote ConsumerAffairs.com:

To put it mildly, automakers don’t like to conduct recalls. They are very expensive and don’t exactly do wonders for marketing efforts. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "GM Recall Affects 1.5 Million Vehicles | Oil Leak Could Cause Fire"