GM recalls 293,000 Cruzes over problems with braking system
Staff/wire report
LORDSTOWN
General Motors is recalling nearly 293,000 Lordstown-built Chevrolet Cruze compact cars in the U.S. because the power-assisted brakes can fail.
The company says the recall affects Cruzes made during the 2011 and 2012 model years. The cars have 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engines and 6T-40 six-speed automatic transmissions.
GM says the power-brake boosters can fail, and in rare cases, drivers may have to put extra pressure on the pedals to stop the cars.
Glenn Johnson, president of United Auto Workers Local 1112, which represents workers at Lordstown’s assembly plant, said the recall has nothing to do with workers there. He said it is a supplier issue but could not offer further details.
“This is something that happened with a supplier — it had nothing to do with the membership or any team at GM Lordstown,” Johnson said. “Customers are our utmost priority, and anything that needs to be done, I’m sure corporate will do everything they can to ensure this is taken care of and customers are served.”
GM did not offer to comment Friday.
The company will rectify the problem by having dealers replace a microswitch in the power-brake vacuum-pipe assembly for free.
There have been five recalls for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and four for the 2012 model year. Thus far, there have been no recalls for the 2013 model year, but 12 complaints filed — mostly about the vehicle braking system, according to information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
GM says Cruze brake problems have caused 27 low-speed crashes but no injuries.
The last major Cruze recall happened in June 2012, when GM recalled 475,418 Cruzes made in 2011 and 2012 to modify the under-engine shield so flammable liquids could not get trapped in the engine compartment.