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GM Recalls 1.5 Million Cars For Fire Hazard

Buick Regal; Chevy Lumina, Monte Carlo and Impala; Oldsmobile Intrigue; Pontiac Grand Prix

April 14, 2009
Beleaguered General Motors has issued a safety recall for as many as 1.5 million Buick, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Pontiac models. The carmaker says the cars are prone to leak oil which could start a fire.

Included in the recall are:

• 1997-2003 Buick Regals
• 1998-2003 Chevy Lumina, Monte Carlo and Impala models
• 1998-99 Oldsmobile Intrigue
• 1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prixs

GM disclosed the recall in a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The common characteristic of the vehicles in the recall is the engine – all models are equipped with GM’s 3.8 liter engine, standard equipment on the company’s midsize fleet.

Not all vehicles in this class are in danger of igniting, the company says, but some vehicles could be a danger because of the oil leak. The company says that if the leaking oil drips on the exhaust manifold, it could catch fire. The normally happens in situations of sudden application of the brakes.

Owners of affected vehicles should take their cars to a GM dealer. The dealer’s service department will remove the plastic spark plug retention channel and install new spark plug wire retainers at no charge.

Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.

In August 2007 the government recalled 20,594 Buick Rendezvous, Chevrolet Venture, Pontiac Aztec and Montana, all from the 2002 to 2004 model years because the fuel tank check valve could fracture, presenting a fire hazard.

Consumers may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153) or at www.safercar.gov.

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