DETROIT (AP) - General Motors Co. is
recalling more than 40,000 cars sold in warm-weather states because a
plastic part might crack and cause a fuel leak.
The company is recalling
Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 sedans from the 2007 through 2009 model
years and Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent SUVs and Saturn Ion
sedans from the 2007 model year.
The recall affects vehicles
sold or currently registered in Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada or
Texas. Owners in Arkansas and Oklahoma also are included in the recall
of the 2009 Cobalt and G5.
The vehicles have plastic
parts connected to the fuel pump which could crack. If the crack gets
large enough, fuel could leak out of the vehicle and cause a fire.
GM says there have been no
reports of fires or injuries related to the defect. The company began
investigating the issue in 2011 after a dealer reported fuel leaking
from some vehicles.
GM says its warranty data
indicates that the problem is far more common in warm-weather states. It
will repair the vehicles for free in those states. Owners will be
notified of the recall by mail.
But the company also plans
to send letters to owners in other states offering a free repair within a
limited time period if the parts are cracked. That offer is valid for
10 years or 120,000 miles from the date the vehicle was sold, spokesman
Alan Adler said.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the recall on its Web site Saturday.
