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Fire Risk Prompts GM Vehicle Recall

General Motors is recalling more than 850,000 model year 2006 to 2008 vehicles that are equipped with a heated windshield wiper fluid system, because a potential short circuit problem in the fluid system may cause smoke and risk of fire.

The recall announced Friday applies to the following General Motors vehicles equipped with a heated windshield wiper washer system: 2006-2008 Buick Lucerne; 2008 Buick Enclave; 2006-2008 Cadillac DTS; 2006-2008 Hummer H2; 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; 2007-2008 Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, and Tahoe; 2007-2008 GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL; 2007-2008 Saturn Outlook. A potential short circuit on the printed circuit board for the washer fluid heater can overheat the control-circuit ground wire -- possibly causing the malfunction of other vehicle electrical features, creating smoke, and increasing the risk of fire -- according to a recall announcement from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Nine vehicle fires have been linked to the problem, but no injuries or accidents have resulted, according to the Chicago Tribune. Reuters reports that in order to remedy the problem, "GM plans to install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge," and vehicle owners should soon be receiving notification and instructions from GM.

• Reuters: Electric Fault Spurs Big GM Recall
• Chicago Tribune: GM Recalls 850,000 Vehicles Over Fire Risk
• NHTSA Defect and Recall Search
• SaferCar.gov (vehicle safety information from the U.S. government)
• Vehicle Defects and Recalls (FindLaw)
• Safety Search: Vehicles and Equipment (FindLaw)

Full post as published by FindLaw's Common Law on September 02, 2008 (boomark / email).