After numerous reports of high beam malfunctions, drivers in China have forced GM to respond and consequently recall nearly 195,000 vehicles. A glitch in the vehicles’ hardware prevents high beams from being turned off.
The recall applies to GM vehicles sold between 2009 and 2012 that were built by Shanghai General Motors Co. Ltd., according to Tech Times. GM considers China the largest market for its automobiles.
Recalls are a common theme for GM; Shanghai General Motors called backed more than 1 million Buick Excelles and 240,000 Chevrolet Sails in December 2013 because of a problem with the supporting brackets of the vehicles’ fuel pumps. If those brackets were to break, a dangerous fuel leak could occur. That recall applies to Excelles made between 2006 and 2011 and Sails made between 2009 and 2011.
Ignition defects had been detected in GM vehicles back in 2001 and is connected to at least 13 deaths, according to Tech Times. Five years later, GM test drivers picked up on the problem. Unfortunately, old parts were mixed with new ones, creating confusion that would take years to resolve. As a result, 2.6 million Chevy Cobalts, Saturn Ions and other vehicles were recalled, leading to a $35 million fine.
GM apparently pointed the finger at Ray DeGiorgio, the engineer who designed the faulty Cobalt switches as well as newer models. DeGiorgio and 15 other GM officials were ousted for their mishandling of the ignition switch issue.
Photo: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
