GM recalls Cadillac ATS and Chevy Impala for separate issues

Fri, Feb 27 2015

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration added two recalls from General Motors in the government organization's daily update of safety campaigns. Both were for failing to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards but for completely separate reasons.

The larger recall covers 58,698 units of the 2013-2015 Cadillac ATS, but it doesn't really carry huge safety concerns. In vehicles produced between April 25, 2012, and February 9, 2015, the controls for the tilt and slide of the moonroof are not recessed enough, as required by federal law. According to NHTSA, it's possible that someone could inadvertently activate the auto-close for the roof panel, which the agency claims increases "the risk of personal injury." Dealers will install a new trim plate that will add the necessary clearance.

The other campaign covers 1,177 examples of the 2014 Chevrolet Impala from between November 15, 2012, and May 27, 2014. However, this is actually a repeat of a previous recall on the Chevy and the Cadillac XTS from 2014. The affected Impalas here "were remedied incorrectly" under the earlier campaign, according to NHTSA.

On these sedans, it's possible the electronic parking brake might not fully disengage and still remain in some contact with the rotor, which is in violation of federal rules. The fault can cause excessive heat from the brakes that could potentially lead to a fire, according to NHTSA. To fix the problem, dealers will reprogram the electronic parking brake control module.

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RECALL Subject : Inadvertent Press of Roof Panel Switch/FMVSS 118

Report Receipt Date: FEB 24, 2015
NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V106000
Component(s): VISIBILITY
Potential Number of Units Affected: 58,698
All Products Associated with this Recall
Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s)
CADILLAC ATS 2013-2015
Details

Manufacturer: General Motors LLC

SUMMARY:
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to February 9, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the power-operated roof panels auto-close when the non-recessed "Slide" or "Tilt" switches are pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."

CONSEQUENCE:
Because the switch is not recessed, the roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed resulting in unintended auto-closure of the roof panel, increasing the risk of personal injury.

REMEDY:
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the roof console accessory switch trim plate, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15119.

NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

RECALL Subject : Electronic Parking Brake may Drag

Report Receipt Date: FEB 11, 2015
NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V085000
Component(s): PARKING BRAKE
Potential Number of Units Affected: 1,177
All Products Associated with this Recall
Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s)
CHEVROLET IMPALA 2014
Details

Manufacturer: General Motors LLC

SUMMARY:
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured November 15, 2012, to May 27, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the electronic parking brake piston actuation arm may not fully retract causing the brake pads to stay partially engaged. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Systems (FMVSS) No. 135 "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

CONSEQUENCE:
Brake pads that remain partially engaged with the rotors may cause excessive brake heat that may result in a fire.

REMEDY:
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the electronic parking brake control module with new software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 15100. Note: This recall covers a limited population of vehicles that were remedied incorrectly under recall 14V-541.

NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

By Chris Bruce