WASHINGTON (AP)
GM recalling 944K vehicles

Posted: Aug 29, 2008 12:11 PM

Updated: Aug 29, 2008 12:13 PM

General Motors is recalling 944,000 vehicles because of a problem with the windshield wiper fluid system that could lead to a fire.

The recall involves more than 850,000 sport utility vehicles, trucks and passenger cars in the U.S. and nearly 100,000 vehicles in Canada, Mexico and the Middle East.

It involves the 2008 Buick Enclave, 2006-2008 Buick Lucerne, 2006-2008 Cadillac DTS, versions of the 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, 2007-2008 Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Tahoe and Suburban, 2007-2008 GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL, 2006-2008 Hummer H2 and 2007-2008 Saturn Outlook.

The recall involves vehicles with a heated washer fluid system. A short circuit in the system could cause electrical features to malfunction. There have been nine reports of fires, but no accidents or injuries.

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Owners of GM vehicles with heated washer fluid systems should pull the fuse for it until the new wiring harnesses arrive at the dealer.

 

Eh, what's the big deal? You can live without washer fluid. I'm still excited about the recall on my Buick Regal GS.

"Braking too hard could result in engine compartment fire."

 

WORST possible timing for something like this.

As always, I give kudos to them for owning up and doing what's right, but man the timing here SUX.

 

washer fluid system causing fire...who knew!

 

When you force your supply chain to take risks by scouring the corners of the globe for the lowest-cost product, ocassionally bad things will happen

 

These are HEATED washer fluid systems only. It keeps the washer fluid warm even when the vehicle is off. It beats scraping the frost off of your windshield in the winter in northern climates. The replacement wiring harnesses wont be ready until November.

 

Isn't that like an oxymoron or something?

 

yeah, alcohol is flammable... it can also eat rubber.

I need to call my grandfather and tell him to pull the fuse on his DTS.

 

I doubt that it's the fluid that's catching fire. Those systems require a 50-60A feed in order to heat the fluid quickly enough (~30 seconds or so for the first "shot"), and any short circuit condition could make a real mess of the wiring or electronics.

I'm shocked that the circuit wasn't properly fused in the first place, because half-assing the wiring protection is what forced Ford to recall all of those vehicles with the defective cruise switch.