General Motors is recalling 1.3 million compact cars due to a defective power steering motor. The motor can fail while driving causing drivers to lose power steering and potentially lose control of the vehicle. Over one thousand complaints were reported with 14 crashes to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration.
General Motors asserts that the cars are safe to drive and drivers will be notified by a light and a chime when the power steering assist fails on the vehicle. Older model vehicles are more prone to the fail because in almost every report the fail occurred after 20,000 miles. If drivers experience a power steering fail they should immediately slow down and steer the vehicle to a safe place. Once there turn the car off and then back on, usually the power steering returns.
General Motors will notify drivers when parts are available and when they can began to be installed. All new cars are being outfitted with the new part before they leave the factory or the dealership lot.
Recalled Vehicles:
2005 to 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
2007 to 2010 Pontiac G5
2005 and 2006 Pontiac Pursuit
2005 and 2006 Pontiac G4s
Related Sources:
GM to recall 1.3M compacts for steering problem
