Tag Archives: General Motors

Chevy Volt Software Glitch Stalls Engines

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General Motors (GM) has announced a customer satisfaction campaign affecting approximately four thousand 2013 Chevrolet Volt electric cars. A software glitch in the delayed charging function could cause the vehicle to unexpectedly stall. Drivers will still have steering and brakes, but in order to restart the engine, they must stop the vehicle, turn it off, and wait five minutes before restarting.

According to GM spokeswoman, Michelle Malcho, the glitch only affects the small number of owners that have used the delayed charging option. All drivers are recommended to switch to immediate instead of delayed time charging until the problem can be fixed. GM has already sent letters by Federal Express explaining to customers that the repair requires the vehicle’s control system software to be re-flashed. The repair is expected to take less than an hour.

Chevy Sonic Turn Signal Malfunction

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General Motors (GM) is warning customer’s of certain 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles about a problem that could leave drivers unaware that their turn signals are not functioning. When a turn signal lamp fails to operate, the Body Control Module (BCM) is suppose to detect the condition and warn the driver of the problem. A programing error in the BCM system may fail to warn the driver and if the problem goes unfixed, other drivers will not know that the vehicle is turning. This could increase the risk of an accident. Owners wanting more information can contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.

GM Ford Alliance To Improve Fuel Economy

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A manufacturing alliance between General Motors (GM) and Ford, expected to be unveiled next month, will have the two rival companies developing automatic transmissions designed to improve fuel economy. The alliance could save the companies billions of dollars as they work towards meeting demanding federal fuel economy regulations set for 2017.

GM and Ford have already successfully worked together building six speed automatic front wheel drive transmissions in 2002, introduced in 2006 in approximately thirty different models. Both companies are currently developing 8, 9, and 10 speed transmissions for front and rear wheel drive cars and light trucks and they hope that the agreement will not only speed up technological developments, but will allow them to reduce manufacturing costs.

Packing more gears into the compact transmission housings used in smaller vehicles is an increasingly tricky challenge, according to engineers. Automatic transmissions with more gear ratios and more sophisticated electronic controls are crucial to improving fuel economy but the limited space of compact and subcompact cars makes it difficult. The lack of space is one reason that subcompacts like the Ford Fiesta and Chevrolet Sonic do not achieve higher fuel efficiency than the larger Ford Focus and Chevy Cruze. Longer vehicles also have lower aerodynamic drag, which helps overall efficiency.

Developing transmissions in house will not only allow GM and Ford to tailor the components to suit their needs, but will eliminate royalty costs for licenses and intellectual property rights charged by their current gearbox suppliers. The new transmissions are expected to reach the market by 2015.

GM Vehicles Could Unexpectedly Roll Away

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General Motors (GM) will be contacting owners of certain Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Saturn models equipped with four speed automatic transmissions, about a problem that could lead to the vehicles unexpectedly rolling away. According to GM, the tabs on the transmission shift cable end could fracture and separate, leaving the driver with inaccurate shift lever readings. The driver may be able to put the vehicle in park and remove the key, but the vehicle is not actually in park. The vehicle may not start and could roll away unexpectedly. GM will be notifying owners as soon as a recall schedule has been decided and dealerships will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary. Owners wanting more information on the problem can contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. The vehicles involved in the recall include:

Chevy Sonic Windshield Washer Problem

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General Motors (GM) is warning drivers of certain 2012 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured between May 2011- February 2012, that their vehicles may not conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for the windshield wiping and washing systems. According to GM, the washer hose could separate from the washer fluid reservoir making it impossible for the driver to clean the windshield while driving. A buildup of dirt could eventually obstruct the drivers vision increasing the chance of an accident. GM will be sending out notices to Sonic owners asking them to take their vehicles in to their Chevrolet dealership to have the hose secured to prevent separation. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.

Cadillac ATS Compact Luxury Sedan

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General Motors Company (GMC) luxury vehicle subsidiary Cadillac, has always been known for their brash designs and big engines. But, as consumers turn to smaller more fuel efficient vehicles, they have been forced to rethink their automobile lineup in order to become competitive in the world market. According to GMC executives, the release of the Cadillac ATS will be the first of its compact luxury models that will launch it as a global contender. GMC hopes that their subtler design, loaded with the latest technology and touch screen controls will lure the younger luxury car buyer away from BMW’s 3-Series or the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The ATS comes with three engine options, ranging from a fuel efficient four cylinder to a more powerful V-6 that can reach up to130 miles per hour. G.M. Has been advertising the ATS heavily over the summer, but the first shipments are not expected on lots until the beginning of September.

GM And Isuzu SUV Potential Door Fires

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General Motors (GM) and Isuzu will be alerting drivers of certain 2006-2007 sport utility vehicles (SUV) of a problem that could result in a fire starting inside the driver’s side door. The problem is being blamed on contaminants getting into the door and causing corrosion and a short circuit in the power door lock and power window switches. Drivers noticing a burning odor or the power door locks and power windows functioning intermittently or stop working completely, are asked to take their vehicles to the nearest dealership immediately. The problem affects certain GM and Isuzu vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The vehicles included in the recall are:

For more information about the problem:

  • Buick owners may contact the Buick owner center at 1-800-521-7300
  • Chevrolet owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546
  • GMC owners may contact the GMC owner center at 1-866-996-9463
  • Isuzu cowners may contact the Isuzu owner center at 1-800-255-6727
  • SAAB owners may contact the SAAB owner center at 1-855-880-0808

Saab Sues GM For Blocking Chinese Investors

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Luxury sports car maker, Spyker, has filed a lawsuit against General Motors accusing them of deliberately bankrupting Saab by blocking deals with foreign investors. When Spyker bought Saab from GM in 2010, the agreement allowed GM to retain the rights to technology and patents used in the engineering of Saab vehicles. As Saab struggled to avoid a court action to liquidate the company, Chinese automakers, Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile and Pang Da Automobile Trade came forward with $140 million dollars to invest in the company with an expected additional investment of up to $708 million to build Saab vehicles in Sweden’s Trollhattan plant as well as open a factory in China. According to Spyker, the deal was blocked by GM executives because they did not want Chinese investors to have access to GM technology, allowing them to compete against the U.S. auto maker in China, one of its most important foreign markets. Spyker Chief Executive Victor Muller accused GM of “deliberately pushing Saab over the cliff”. Spyker is seeking $3 billion in damages, the estimated future value of Saab if Zhejiang Youngman had been allowed to buy the Swedish auto maker and invest in it.

The lawsuit comes as GM struggles to survive in Europe. The auto maker said last week that its second-quarter earnings plunged 38% due to a $361 million loss in the company’s European operations.