GM recalls 7.6 million more US cars after crashes, deaths

A file picture taken on Jan 14, 2014 shows General Motors headquarters in Detroit. General Motors on Monday announced another massive auto recall, calling back 8.4 million vehicles – 7.6 million of them in the US – following seven crashes an
A file picture taken on Jan 14, 2014 shows General Motors headquarters in Detroit. General Motors on Monday announced another massive auto recall, calling back 8.4 million vehicles – 7.6 million of them in the US – following seven crashes and three fatalities. -- PHOTO: AFP

NEW YORK (AFP) - General Motors on Monday announced another massive auto recall, calling back 8.4 million vehicles - 7.6 million of them in the US - following seven crashes and three fatalities.

GM, reeling over an ignition-switch recall scandal linked to at least 13 deaths, said that while there were three fatalities related to fatal crashes of older cars being recalled for ignition issues, there is "no conclusive evidence" the defect caused the incidents.

The leading US automaker announced six new recalls in all Monday. The bulk of the vehicles, about 8.2 million of the 8.4 million in the US, Canada and Mexico, are being recalled to address a problem of "unintended ignition key rotation."

GM said the three fatal crashes occurred in older model full-size sedans with that problem, but the company did not provide further details.

The group of vehicles affected includes the 1997-2005 Chevrolet Malibu, the 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero and the 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala.

The most recent vehicles recalled with the unintended ignition key rotation problem are the 2014 Cadillac CTS.

The other recalled vehicles have problems with a heater power cord, a joint fastener, and electrical problems.

GM said the latest batch of recalls means it will spend US$1.2 billion (S$1.5 billion) on recall-related costs in the second quarter, up from the previous estimate of US$700 million.

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