General Motors recalls 1.4 million older cars over engine fires sparked by oil leaks

Auto maker General Motors today announced a recall of some 1.4 million cars in which a known oil leak problem can cause engine fires. All of the affected vehicles are over 10 years old, and the oldest were model year 1997.

It’s the third safety recall in seven years by General Motors, and it was issued because repairs from the first two recalls didn’t work.

Find out if your car is affected by entering the Vehicle Identification Number or VIN here.

Here are the car models included in the recall:

• 1997-2004 Pontiac Grand Prix

• 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala

• 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina

• 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

• 1998-1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue

• 1997-2004 Buick Regal

A GM dealership in Detroit, Michigan [Reuters]

From the Associated Press:

More than 1,300 cars caught fire after they were fixed by dealers, the company said. In the previous recalls, in 2008 and 2009, GM told owners to park the cars outside until repairs can be made since most of the fires happened shortly after drivers turned off the engines. A spokesman was checking to see if the same recommendation applies this time.

U.S. safety regulators became aware of the fires in early 2007 and GM has since reported 19 minor related injuries. In 2008, a GM spokeswoman said the cars were responsible for 267 fires, including at least 17 that burned structures.

[via Reddit]

General Motors Warren Transmission Operations Plant in Warren, Michigan October 26, 2015.
REUTERS