Chevy Recalls: Is Your Vehicle on the List?

It seems like every time you turn on the news, an update for a new vehicle recall is reported. It can be confusing to keep up with all of the information.

Most owners are aware of the Takata airbag recall, but what about some of the other recalls?

This article highlights some of the recent Chevy recalls, like ignition switches and side airbags. It also provide additional information for car owners on how they can obtain consumer protection.

Chevy Recalls

The recent Chevy recalls listed include a number of manufacturing defects.

Chevy Camaro 2010-2014:  Over 511,000 Chevy Camaros for model years 2010 to 2014 have been recalled due to an ignition switch problem. This problem causes the ignition switch to be able to be pushed out of the “run” position and may have contributed to three crashes.

“A driver’s knee can bump the key fob and cause the key to inadvertently move out of the ‘run’ position, with a corresponding reduction or loss of power,” GM said in a statement. “The issue, which may primarily affect drivers sitting close to the steering column, was discovered by GM during internal testing following the ignition-switch recall earlier this year.”

Chevy Caprice 2011-2013:  In the Chevy Caprice, there are flexible steel cables that connect to the seatbelt in the front seats that may bend from being sat on while passengers and drivers entered the vehicle. Repeated bending of the cables can cause them to break, leading to seatbelt restraint failure.

Chevy Cobalt 2005-2010:  The Chevy Cobalt recall is one of more than 1.3 million vehicles that are being recalled for power steering problems. These power steering issues cause the vehicle to suddenly lose electric power steering assist during driving.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a summary of the issue saying, “In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving. If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.”

Several crashes were also suspected to be related to this defect, though none of the injuries sustained as a result of the crashes were fatal.

Chevy HHR 2006-2011:  Chevy recalls for the HHR include the recall for power steering problems that also affect the Chevy Cobalt vehicles as detailed above.

Chevy Impala 2000-2014:  Chevy recalls for the Impala include a number of different issues. Some older Impalas, model years 2000-2004, have a risk of engine-compartment fires in vehicles with a 3.8-liter V6 engine.

“Drops of oil may be deposited on the hot exhaust manifold through hard braking, which can cause engine-compartment fires,” GM spokesman Alan Adler said in a statement. “The company is aware of post-repair fires in some vehicles but no crashes or fatalities.”

Model years 2006 to 2014 Chevy Impalas are also being recalled for ignition switch defects that cause the car to move out of the “run” position if keys are too heavy or if a jarring event occurs, which could also cause the airbags to fail to deploy.

The ignition switch moving out of the “run” position could also affect power steering and power braking capabilities in the vehicle in addition to disabling the airbags in a crash.

The 2014 Chevy Impala is being recalled due to brake lamps that flash intermittently and the cruise control may disengage on these vehicles.

Chevy Malibu 1997-2005, Chevy Malibu 2004-2006, 2008-2009, Chevy Malibu Max 2004-2006: The Chevy recalls for the Malibu and Malibu Max are due to loss of electrical power steering assist that also affects the Chevy Cobalt vehicles detailed above.

Chevy Monte Carlo 2000-2007: Chevy Monte Carlo recalls were issued for engine-compartment fires, ignition key switches that move out of the “run” position, causing failure of power steering, power braking and disabling airbags.

Chevy Traverse 2009-2013: Chevy Traverse vehicles are being recalled due to a problem with the wiring harness that may lead to the non-deployment of the vehicle’s “side impact restraints,” including side airbags.

“The vehicles are equipped with a Service Air Bag warning light in the driver information center,” GM said in a statement. “Ignoring the Service Air Bag warning light will eventually result in the non-deployment of the side impact restraints, which include driver and passenger seat-mounted side airbags, front center airbag (if equipped) and the seatbelt pretensioners.”

Taking Legal Action Following Chevy Recalls

A class action lawsuit investigation has been launched into the Chevy recalls and recalls for related GM vehicles. This class action lawsuit will seek to award vehicle owners actual or statutory damages, punitive damages and other damages under consumer protection laws.

If you have been affected by the Chevy recalls and would like to learn more about pursuing damages in a class action lawsuit, specialized lawyers are available to answer your questions.