Buick LaCrosse, Chevy Malibu Recall Issued Due to Brake Problems

Amid continuing concerns about problems with various vehicles manufactured and sold by General Motors (GM), the auto maker announced this week that Buick LaCrosse and Chevy Malibu vehicles from the 2014 model year are now being recalled due to an assembly error, which resulted in thinner and less durable rear brakes being put on the front wheels.  

The Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Malibu recall was announced on May 8, after GM informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that some of the sedans may have been improperly assembled. While the brake problems do not appear to pose an immediate risk, placing break rotors designed for the rear wheels on the front could reduce the life-span of the brake pads and increase the risk of an auto accident over time.

The vehicles are equipped with front and rear brake rotors, but the rear brakes rotors designed to be 7 millimeters thinner than the front brake rotors.

The recall includes 2014 Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Malibu models manufactured and sold in the United States between January 29, 2014 and March 31, 2014. Of the 8,208 recalled vehicles, it appears that only 1,694 have been sold so far, and the auto maker anticipates that only a small percentage of vehicles will have the brake assembly error. The rest of the vehicles are still in the dealer’s hands and will have maintenance performed on the vehicle before it is sold.

General Motors has issued several recalls so far this year, including 2.6 million vehicles that were subject to an ignition switch recall issued in February. The auto maker has faced sharp criticism over that recall, after it was discovered that GM knew about the problem for years and failed to take actions.

The defective ignition switches may cause certain Saturn, Pontiac and Chevrolet vehicles to suddenly shut off if heavy keys are used, or if the ignition is jolted, such as may occur in an accident. As a result of this problem, the airbags may fail to deploy when needed in a crash.

While GM has indicated that at least 13 deaths may have occurred due to airbag problems in these recalled vehicles, outside experts suggest that many more serious injuries and deaths appear to have occurred. A report by the Center for Automobile Safety suggested that more than 300 deaths have been reported to federal regulators following accidents involving some of the recalled vehicles where airbags failed to deploy.

For this latest recall, General Motors plans to notify vehicle owners of the brake problems by mail, with instructions on how to schedule a free inspection and if necessary repair at a local GM dealer. Customers with questions should contact their local GMC dealer for further information.

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