GM recalls nearly 200,000 vehicles for various defects

DETROIT (AP) _ General Motors Corp. is recalling nearly 200,000 vehicles because of various safety defects, federal regulators said Thursday. <br/><br/>The largest recall is of 155,465 pickups, vans and

Friday, February 11th 2005, 9:32 am

By: News On 6

DETROIT (AP) _ General Motors Corp. is recalling nearly 200,000 vehicles because of various safety defects, federal regulators said Thursday.

The largest recall is of 155,465 pickups, vans and sport utility vehicles _ including the Hummer H2 _ because of possible brake malfunctions, the automaker and federal safety regulators said.

All of the affected vehicles are from the 2004 and 2005 model years and have Bosch hydro-boost brake assemblies. They are the Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado and Suburban; the GMC Savana, Sierra and Yukon XL; two commercial trucks, the GMC Topkick and Chevrolet Kodiak; and the Hummer H2, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NHTSA said a pressure accumulator in the braking system could crack during normal driving and fragments could injure people if the hood was open. The crack also could allow hydraulic fluid to leak, which could make it harder to brake or steer and could cause a crash.

In addition, GM is recalling 19,924 Cadillac XLR coupes, SRX SUVs and Pontiac Grand Prix sedans from the 2004 model year because the accelerator pedal may not work properly in extremely cold temperatures, requiring more braking. GM spokesman Alan Adler said temperatures far below freezing could cause a spring to break, which means the pedal may take longer than the maximum 3 seconds allowed by federal regulations to come back up after it is depressed.

GM also is recalling 17,815 Buick Rainiers, Chevrolet TrailBlazers, GMC Envoys and Isuzu Ascenders from the 2005 model years because the windshield could fall out in a crash. Adler said certain humidity levels can loosen the adhesive used to bond the windshild to metal, which can increase the chances of the windshield popping out of its frame in a crash.

Adler said the company isn't aware of any injuries caused by any of the defects. GM is expected to begin notifying consumers about all three recalls next month. Dealers will make free repairs, NHTSA said.