GM Recalling Nearly 1 Million Vehicles Worldwide on Electrical Issue

General Motors will be sending letters to more than 944,000 owners worldwide, 857,735 of which are located in the U.S., due to voluntary recall that affects 16 cars and SUVs from 2006 to 2008. The huge recall involves vehicles fitted with a heated washer fluid system that could short circuit causing other electrical features to malfunction and lead to smoke or even fire. According to GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson, up until now, there have been three reported fires related to the problem. GM said that its dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge. See the affected models after the jump. -Continued

MAKE / MODEL - YEAR

• BUICK / ENCLAVE -2008
• BUICK / LUCERNE - 2006-2008
• CADILLAC / DTS - 2006-2008
• CADILLAC / ESCALADE - 2007-2008
• CADILLAC / ESCALADE ESV - 2007-2008
• CADILLAC / ESCALADE EXT - 2007-2008
• CHEVROLET / AVALANCHE - 2007-2008
• CHEVROLET / SILVERADO - 2007-2008
• CHEVROLET / SUBURBAN - 2007-2008
• CHEVROLET / TAHOE - 2007-2008
• GMC / ACADIA - 2007-2008
• GMC / SIERRA - 2007-2008
• GMC / YUKON - 2007-2008
• GMC / YUKON XL -2007-2008
• HUMMER / H2 - 2006-2008
• SATURN / OUTLOOK - 2007-2008

GM Reveals “Fuel-Saving” Chevy Silverado & Tahoe and GMC Sierra & Yukon XFE Models

In an attempt to staunch plummeting sales of large pick-up trucks and SUVs, GM has announced the release of the XFE versions of the 2009 Chevy Silverado, Chevy Tahoe, GMC Sierra and GMC Yukon. XFE stands for “Xtra Fuel Economy” and what it means is that GM has fine tweaked these vehicles to deliver a 5% increase in EPA-estimated highway fuel economy and more than 7% improved mileage in city driving.

All four XFE models are 2WD and powered by a 5.3L FlexFuel V8 engine rated at 320 HP and 340 lb.-ft. in the Tahoe and Yukon and 315 HP and 338 lb-ft in the Silverado and Sierra. The engine is matted to a 6-speed automatic transmission with a fuel-saving 3.08 ratio rear axle. To make them more fuel efficient, all models get a lower suspension that improves aerodynamics, standard alloy wheels and spare wheel, aluminum lower control arms and low rolling resistance tires. Additionally, the Silverado / Sierra are equipped with a soft tonneau cover and an eextended front lower air dam to improve aerodynamics. -Continued

GM says that while the XFE models achieve 15 city and 21 highway mileage ratings versus comparable non-XFE models’ 14/20 ratings, the increased efficiency does not come at the expense of capability as towing ratings for the Tahoe and Yukon are unchanged, while the Silverado and Sierra increase from 6,600 pounds (2,994 kg) to 7,000 pounds (3,175 kg) due to the new, 6-speed transmission and high-capacity cooling package.

We say that GM should follow the example of BMW with its “Efficient Dynamics” technologies, meaning that it’s senseless to create a separate line-up within a vehicle’s range. Incorporate all these fuel-saving measures into the entire range and convince customers that every-single product you make is designed and engineered to the highest standards in terms of fuel efficiency.

NHTSA Investigates Fire Hazard on 2.7 Million GM Trucks & SUVs

Federal regulators have began an investigation into more than 2.7 million SUVs and trucks built by General Motors between 2006 and 2008 after reports of 41 non-crash engine compartment fires, including 8 fires that may have caused significant property damage along with 16 cases where fires started while the vehicles were turned off. The probe covers 21 models sold by Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC and Hummer.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) investigators are currently examining the electrical system, engine and engine cooling system, battery cables, under-hood wiring, fuses and circuit breakers. For the time being, NHTSA calls the probe an "engineering analysis", but this could eventually lead to a recall of all the affected General Motors vehicles. -See the affected models after the jump

GM vehicles under investigation:

• Cadillac Escalade ESV and EXT MY2007-2008,
• Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 MY2007-2008,
• Chevrolet Avalanche 2500, MY2007
• Chevrolet Silverado MY2007,
• Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 MY2007-2008,
• Chevrolet Surburban 1500 and 2500 MY2007-2008,
• Chevrolet Tahoe MY2007-2008,
• GMC Sierra, MY2008
• GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 MY2007-2008,
• GMC Sierra Classic, MY2007
• GMC Silverado, GMC Yukon MY2007,
• GMC Yukon XL 1500, XL 2500 MY2007-2008,
• Hummer H2 MY2006-2007,
• Hummer H2 Utility, MY2008
• Hummer H2 MY2006-2008.