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GM Michigan drivers learn the supplier responsible for the potentially hazardous heated wiper system is out of business. GM will provide all customers compensation for their discontinued feature due to the recall.
DETROIT, M.I. – GM Michigan customers learned today that General Motors is recalling 1.5 million vehicles worldwide due to a heated windshield wiper fluid system that could be a fire risk, the company said in a press release issued today (June 8, 2010).
“While our analysis shows the number of incidents is very small compared with the number of vehicles on the road, we want our customers to have complete peace of mind,” said Jeff Boyer, executive director of Safety in a press release. “We always want to make sure customers can count on the safety and quality of their GM vehicle.”
GM Michigan drivers will receive a voluntary payment from GM of $100 for the loss of the feature, not because of the recall. The reason the feature is being disabled is because the supplier of the technology is no longer manufacturing, which Mr. Boyer said eliminated any chance of collaboration for an improved design, and therefore proper repair or replacement.
Microheat Inc. was named as the company and creator of the HotSpot windshield cleaning system by both Autoblog and Detroit Free Press. Both sources say the company went into bankruptcy after a previous GM recall in August 2008 when the product was first found to be defective.
According to the GM press release, the August 2008 GM recall was because “a short circuit on the printed circuit board could overheat the control circuit ground wire. Dealers at the time installed an in-line fuse in the heated washer module wiring.”
GM continued to monitor the issue during and after the government closed its investigation into the 2008 recall, and in June 2009, a different problem was discovered and linked to the appearance of smoke.
Since June 2009, GM has learned five fires have occurred without injury or crash. Affected vehicles include 2006-2009 model year Buick Lucerne; Cadillac DTS; Hummer H2; 2008-2009 model year Buick Enclave; Cadillac CTS; 2007-2009 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe; GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL; Saturn Outlook; and 2009 model year Chevrolet Traverse.
If GM Michigan owners are affected, they will begin to receive recall letters this month, though they may contact their dealership at any time to have the system removed.
For more information about the recall GM Michigan drivers may visit the GM website, contact their local dealership, or call The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
Should any additional information arise, MI Auto Times will post it immediately.
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[Source: General Motors, Autoblog, Detroit Free Press, National Highway Safety Administration]
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