Nearly 1.5 million GM-made sedans are being recalled to fix an engine flaw that could cause fire, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Monday.
The recalled vehicles all have naturally aspirated 3.8 liter V6 engines—that is, engines that uses atmospheric pressure to bring in air for combustion rather than a mechanical blower—according to documents filed with federal regulators by GM last week.
On Friday, the federal government acknowledged the filing and agreed to the plan.
The problem involves a potential for oil to leak on the exhaust manifold during hard braking. When a car operates under normal conditions, the manifold can get very hot. Oil that runs below the manifold’s heat shield could ignite and spread to plastic channels that hold spark plug wires.
The company recommends as a solution for the problem a change in the bracket that holds spark-plug wires, which will be done free of charge.
Some of the recalled vehicles are no longer in production. The recall includes the 1998-1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue, the 1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix, 1997-2003 Buick Regal, and the 1998-2003 Chevrolet Lumina, Monte Carlo and Impala.
GM spokesman Kerry Christopher says it was a precautionary measure for consumers.
| 
|