DETROIT and WASHINGTON, D.C. -

As National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigators ramped up separate files associated with close to 1.8 million Toyota and Chevrolet vehicles, General Motors revealed late last week the automaker will recall 413,418 Chevrolet Cruzes in the United States for the 2011 and 2012 model years.

Officials said the recall is necessary to modify the engine shield under the vehicle; a change they believe will help prevent any liquids from being trapped in the engine compartment where a fire could start and spread.

Furthermore, GM explained that through a separate safety recall the OEM will inspect certain units included in the first recall to assure all welds in the rear compartment were properly applied.

The automaker determined omitted or partially completed welds in up to 249 units may affect the fuel tank strap secondary brackets attachment to the floor structure and a sub assembly to the rear floor pan.

GM stated there are no known crashes, injuries or fatalities related to either recall. The company stated only Cruzes built in Lordstown, Ohio, and sold in the United States and Canada and several hundred exported to Israel are affected. 

Of the total amount of units connected to the Cruze recalls, GM spokesperson Alan Adler told Auto Remarketing that 61,299 units in Canada are associated with engine shield recall while 8,185 units are on tap for weld inspection.

“The most important thing for our customers to know is that we are proactively working to assure the Cruze is the safe and durable car they purchased,” said GM vice president of global quality Alicia Boler-Davis. “We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by these actions.”

The company said all Cruzes with manual and automatic transmissions built in the United States from September 2010 through May are included in the engine shield modification.

GM contends improper engine oil change procedures on these vehicles can result in the spilling or dripping of oil. If oil contacts hot engine or exhaust system surfaces, and the engine shield, the shield may ignite and burn, resulting in a possible engine compartment fire.

In Cruzes with manual transmissions, the automaker indicated that continuing to drive with a completely worn clutch may cause hydraulic fluid to be expelled from the clutch housing vent hole. Under certain circumstances, the fluid could be burning as it exits the vent hole.

If fuild contacts the engine shield, the shield may ignite and a fire may spread to the engine compartment, according to GM.

The OEM acknowledged NHTSA opened a preliminary investigation in April as a result of two engine compartment fires in 2011 model year Cruzes and later added the 2012 model year.

GM believes that modifying the engine shield will take about 30 minutes in a Chevrolet dealership service department and will be conducted free of charge.

“No parts are involved, and customers are encouraged to make an appointment with their dealer at their earliest convenience,” officials recommended.

GM pointed out that owner letters will mailed be beginning July 11.

“Inspection for the possible missing welds takes only a few minutes. In confirmed cases, the repair would take about three hours,” officials added.

More NHTSA Investigations

Meanwhile, NHTSA is taking a closer look at issues associated with power windows stemming from consumer complaints of certain Toyota and Chevrolet vehicles.

The notice from the Office of Defects Investigation covering most of the units in question centers on officials being alarmed about electrical fires or thermal events that can originate in the power window master switch assembly located in the driver door armrest of certain Toyota models.

ODI has identified certain Toyota vehicles experiencing a higher rate of fire and thermal event incidents among all Toyota vehicles that use the same power window master switch design. They include a total of 1,424,747 units — model-years 2007 through 2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4 and Yaris vehicles built from approximately September 2006 through August 2008, as well as all 2008 Highlander Hybrid models.

“This engineering analysis is being opened to further study the alleged defect and its consequences,” NHTSA officials said, noting they have received a total of 161 complaints in connection with a fire that resulted in nine reports of injuries.

Meanwhile, another 341,786 Chevrolet Trailblazers from the 2006 and 2007 model years are being investigated by NHTSA in association with melting and/or burning of the driver’s master power window switch.

ODI recapped that it opened a preliminary evaluation on Feb. 9 in response to complaints alleging driver door module melting and/or burning in these Chevy SUVs.

After an ODI information request letter was sent, officials noted GM presented 167 reports and 698 warranty claims that related to the alleged problem.

ODI said it has received a total of 83 complaints, 66 alleging the door module had melted or burned, and the remaining 17 stating that the window switches acted erratically or were inoperative.

Officials added 28 of the reports received have led to driver door fires, some of which allege the vehicle was keyed off and unattended.

“Based on the agency’s current analysis, ODI has upgraded its investigation to determine whether the subject vehicles contain a defect that presents an unreasonable risk to safety. The vehicle models and production dates of affected vehicles will be evaluated,” officials explained.