GM Issues Another Large Vehicle Recall for Saturn Aura

General Motors has issued another vehicle recall, this time for older model Saturn Auras that have a shift cable defect.

On Tuesday, May 6th, GM announced a vehicle recall for 56,000 of its 2007 and 2008 model year Saturn Auras, because a shift cable could wear out and break. The problem can make the shift lever look like it is in one gear, while actually being in a different gear. According to a statement from the manufacturer, the transmission shift cable can wear to the point that it breaks. If a driver puts the car in park, for example, the vehicle could actually be in neutral, causing the car to roll away. The vehicle can also shift into reverse and stay there, causing the driver to wreck the car when it should be in first gear.

GM said that dealers will fix the problem by installing a new shift cable assembly and mounting bracket. The Saturns under the vehicle recall are no longer in production.

Not only does the vehicle recall cover several additional older model cars – a problem that GM is currently confronting with a multimillion 2004-2005 model year vehicle recall and potential class action lawsuit – but the company said that the problem with the shift cables has caused 28 crashes and four injuries over the last seven years. Fortunately, there are no fatalities associated with this vehicle recall.

Reportedly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began investigating the problem in 2011, but GM resisted a voluntary vehicle recall.

GM began a massive vehicle recall earlier this year, which started with a few hundred thousand cars and blossomed into a recall of 2.6 million vehicles, due to problems with the ignition switch. The recall for 2004 and 2005 model year vehicles has been linked to 31 accidents and 13 fatalities.

Safety regulators are questioning the company about why more Saturn Auras were not included in a vehicle recall from 2012, which involved Chevy Malibus and Pontiacs which were affected by a similar shift cable problem.

“With these safety recalls and lifetime warranties, we are going after every car that might have this problem, and we are going to make it right,” said Jeff Boyer, vice president of GM Global Vehicle Safety. “We have recalled some of these vehicles before for the same issue and offered extended warranties on others, but we did not do enough.”

In all, GM has recalled 6.1 million vehicles in the last 16 months.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Defective Products and Vehicle Recall Cases

If you have experienced a problem with a defective product in your automobile, especially if a defective part has led to an auto accident or personal injury, and a proper vehicle recall notice has not been issued, you may be entitled to compensation. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. We can help you with complicated auto insurance claims, and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve to help you with lost income and medical bills. Our attorneys are licensed to practice in South Carolina, Georgia, and New York. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so contact us today at (803) 252-4800.