GM expands headlight recall by 180,000 cars
Washington — General Motors Co. said Tuesday it is recalling another 180,500 Buicks and Pontiacs in North America for faulty low-beam headlights.
The new recall includes 159,584 2005 Buick LaCrosse and 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix cars sold in the United States, and 21,000 2005 cars in Canada, including the Buick Allure (which is the name for the LaCrosse in Canada).
In November 2014, GM recalled 316,000 of the following: 2006-09 LaCrosse; 2006-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy and Buick Ranier; 2006 Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL; and 2006-08 Saab 9-7X and Isuzu Ascender.
“These vehicles could intermittently or permanently lose low beam headlamps. Until a permanent repair is available, dealers will replace the headlamp module with a new one of the existing part,” GM spokesman Alan Adler said.
GM told owners in January that it would then have to replace that part with a revised part at a future date.
Adler said GM knows of no confirmed crashes or injuries related to the issue.
GM said on June 26 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration informed GM of complaints of headlight failures in LaCrosse, Grand Prix, and Trailblazer vehicles. In July, GM conducted additional analysis of its data and post-warranty repair information for 2005-2009 LaCrosse and 2006-2008 Grand Prix vehicles, which prompted the new recall.
In April, NHTSA said the supplier of the headlamp driver module — Delphi Corp. — had certified the part was not used by any other automaker.
The government has taken a close look at headlight issues in recent years.
In July 2014, NHTSA closed a petition review of 2007-09 Saturn Outlooks and GMC Acadias after a complaint of loss of low-beam headlights because of an overheated bulb connector.
NHTSA said out of 248,453 vehicles, the agency received 473 consumer complaints. Many said the headlight wiring was damaged from overheating. After reviewing the complaints, NHTSA said it didn’t find a defect.
NHTSA said drivers typically have enough time between the failure of the first headlamp and the second to obtain the needed repairs: “Based on the information currently available, NHTSA does not believe that the headlamp condition as alleged by the petitioner indicates the likelihood of a safety-related defect that would warrant a formal investigation,” NHTSA said.
DShepardson@detroitnews.com
HEad
Ford Motor Co. is recalling 26,400 heavy-duty F-650 and F-750 trucks in North America because seat belts may not be anchored in the correct position.
The recall covers 2011-13 and 2015 model-year trucks that don’t comply with a federal safety standard. “The front passenger and center seat belts might not be anchored in the correct position relative to the seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash,” Ford said in a statement Tuesday.
Ford is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this issue.
The recall includes 25,941 vehicles in the United States and 417 in Canada. Due to the significant number of cab and seat configurations, service procedures are still being developed, Ford said.