The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced the General Motors (GM) recall of 413,148 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles due to a defect in the engine and engine cooling system, which may cause dripping or spilled oil (such as after an oil change) to collect in the engine shield near the exhaust system or hot engine surfaces. This may cause the engine shield and the oil to ignite and burn, potentially resulting in an engine compartment fire, which can lead to serious burn injuries or death.
This recall involves model year 2011 and 2012 Chevy Cruze vehicles manufactured from October 2, 2009 through May 31, 2012. General Motors will notify owners of the recall and dealers will modify the engine shield design so that fluid cannot make contact with the shield. In addition, for those vehicles with a manual transmission, dealers will add a protective tape to the electronic power steering wire harness.
These repairs will be completed at no-cost to the owner. The recall is expected to start on or around July 11, 2012. For additional information, owners may call the Chevrolet Owner Center at (866) 694-6546 or the NHTSA Hotline at (888) 4236. The recall campaign number is 12081.
At Blume Forte, our knowledgeable auto product liability lawyers in New Jersey represent those who have been injured as the result of auto manufacturer negligence and can help you determine whether you may pursue legal action for your particular situation. To find out whether your potential claim may have merit, contact us for a no-cost consultation at 973-845-4421.