GM Recalls More Than 81,000 Vehicles For Power Steering Problem

(RTTNews) - General Motors (GM) said that it is recalling more than 81,000 vehicles for possible sudden loss of electric power steering assist.

The recall covers certain model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured April 1, 2006, to June 30, 2006, and 2006-2007 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured April 18, 2006, to June 30, 2006. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering or EPS assist that could occur at any time while driving.

The recall includes about 69,000 vehicles in the United States.

GM is expanding the original recall population to cover additional vehicles built between April 1, 2006 and June 30, 2006.

The recall population is being expanded because GM has since identified an additional, contributing cause of the EPS failures that was not fixed by the supplier until June 30, 2006.

If the power steering assist is lost, a message is displayed on the Driver Information Center and a chime sounds to inform the driver. Steering control can be maintained, as the vehicle will revert to a manual steering mode, but would require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds, which could result in an increased risk of a crash.

The company noted that minor damage to the electrical terminal on the torque sensor assembly during assembly insertion can eventually result in intermittent electrical connectivity.

GM said it will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.