Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
1,003,556
Reported to NHTSA
2015-10-26
Owners notified
2016-02-19
Defect description
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Safety risk
Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Manufacturer remedy
The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 2, 2015, that they are is recalling certain model year 2004 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured April 9, 2003, to June 1, 2003, 2004 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 8, 2003, to June 23, 2003, and 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles manufactured April 7, 2003, to June 23, 2003. On May 18, 2015, GM expanded the recall to cover an additional 49,751 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2003, to June 25, 2004. In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak.
Safety risk
The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the plastic cover and plastic oil fill tube extension and replace the front valve cover and gasket. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14574.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Safety risk
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH LOWER THAN SPECIFIED TORQUE ON BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPER TO STEERING KNUCKLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS. WITH IMPROPER TORQUE, THE CLAMP LOAD AT THE JOINT MAY NOT BE ADEQUATE TO PREVENT MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE CALIPER BRACKET AND KNUCKLE.
Safety risk
DEPENDING ON WHETHER ONE OR BOTH BOLTS BACKS OUT OR FRACTURES, THE RESULT CAN BE LOCKING OF THE AFFECTED WHEEL DURING BRAKING AND AN ABRUPT STEERING INPUT IN THE DIRECTION OF THE LOCKED WHEEL, REDUCED BRAKING AND NOISE FROM THE AFFECTED WHEEL, OR SEVERING OF A BRAKE HOSE, INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, AND REDUCED STEERING CONTROL. REDUCED BRAKING OR STEERING CONTROL COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS ARE TO TIGHTEN BOTH BOLTS TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC 1-800-620-7668.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Electrical system
85
65,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
62
47,000 mi
Engine
24
119,295 mi
Steering
15
46,500 mi
Exterior lighting
11
57,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic
6
12,000 mi
Unknown or other
6
20,000 mi
Service brakes
5
50,000 mi
Suspension
5
51,000 mi
Vehicle speed control
5
25,800 mi
Engine and engine cooling
4
107,000 mi
Seats
4
50,500 mi
Air bags
3
130,000 mi
Equipment
3
90,000 mi
Seat belts
3
63,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring
2
40,200 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine
2
22,965 mi
Power train
2
56,284 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid
2
34,000 mi
Visibility/wiper
2
76,399 mi
Wheels
2
100,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module
1
102,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly
1
9,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
1
135,652 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner
1
9,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
1
—
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: LPG systems
1
90,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights
1
123,401 mi
Fuel system, gasoline
1
90,000 mi
Fuel system, other
1
90,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
1
—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
1
30,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock
1
3,400 mi
Power train: automatic transmission
1
50,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler
1
56,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock
1
—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor
1
14,450 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
1
16,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
1
50,000 mi
Steering: column
1
37,000 mi
Steering: gear box: shaft sector
1
44,000 mi
Structure
1
3,400 mi
Tires
1
26,251 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control
1
5,100 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system
1
120,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls
1
76,425 mi
The 2003 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2005 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.