General Motors has announced it will recall 1.3 million cars in North America over a potentially faulty power steering motor following a federal probe into the problem in January.
The recall would cover 2005- through 2010-model year Chevrolet Cobalts and 2007-2010 Pontiac G5s, along with similar models in Canada and Mexico, the top US automaker said in a statement late Monday.
Complaints had been filed about power steering failures that could make the vehicles difficult to control.
“After our in-depth investigation, we found that this is a condition that takes time to develop. It tends to occur in older models out of warranty,” GM vice president of quality Jamie Hresko said in the statement.
“Recalling these vehicles is the right thing to do for our customers’ peace of mind,” he added.
The cars remain safe to drive, although vehicles with the power-steering problem may take more effort to steer at slow speeds.
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched a probe of 905,000 Chevrolet Cobalts earlier this year after receiving more than 1,100 consumer complaints, which included reports of 14 crashes and one injury.
The problem comes amid heightened safety concerns at GM’s Japanese rival Toyota, whose series of defects have led to the global recall of more than eight million vehicles.
The world number one automaker has come under fire this year for accelerator and brake system defects, and has been accused of dragging its feet on making the safety flaws public.
Toyota executives were due to face a US Senate panel grilling on Tuesday after company president Akio Toyoda last week apologized in a US House hearing.
Of the two brands affected by the GM recall, the Detroit-based company is phasing out its iconic Pontiac brand by the end of this year, as announced in 2009 amid a dramatic restructuring.
GM’s Hresko insisted the vehicles under recall were still safe to drive.
“While greater steering effort under 15 miles per hour (24 kilometers per hour) may be required, these vehicles are safe to drive because the customer can still steer the vehicle,” he said.
“When the condition occurs, both a chime will sound and a ‘Power Steering’ message will be displayed” in the vehicle, he said.
