DETROIT GM recalls vehicles for fault in ignition

The recall will be done in three phases, starting in early March.
STAFF/WIRE REPORTS
DETROIT -- General Motors Corp. is recalling 1.8 million cars, including some Lordstown-built Chevrolet Cavalier and Pontiac Sunfires, to repair potential ignition-switch problems that may cause a fire.
In addition to certain 1998-2001 Cavaliers and Sunfires built between March 1997 and April 2001, the automaker is recalling some 1998 Pontiac Grand Am, Oldsmobile Achieva, and Buick Skylark cars built between March 1997 and January 1998.
Of the total, 1.4 million of the vehicles are in the United States and 337,000 are in Canada. The remaining vehicles are in other countries.
The problem
The vehicles are to be serviced to prevent high electrical-current flow through the ignition switch that may cause a fire in the steering column.
The automaker said there have been reports of 80 incidents of heat buildup, melted components, smoldering parts or fires in the ignition system and steering column. It said no injuries or fatalities have been reported.
Most of the incidents occurred within minutes of an unsuccessful attempt to start the car, GM said.
In some of the vehicles, the ignition switch may deteriorate if the battery is weak, the engine fails to crank, and the driver holds the key in the "start" position for an extended period, GM said.
Because of the number of vehicles involved in the recall, the repair process will occur in three phases.
Beginning in early March, GM will begin notifying owners of the 1998-99 vehicles involved. They will be instructed to contact their dealers as soon as they get the letter. The owners of 2000 model-year vehicles will be notified in May, asking them to contact dealers in May to arrange a service date, and the owners of 2001 model-year vehicles will be contacted in June with service instructions for that month.