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GM Recalls 1.4 Million Older Cars Over Fire Risk

Oct. 27, 2015
Chevys, Pontiacs, Buicks and Olds are all affected as part of a recall that has now stretched across more than seven years for a problem that has resulted in at least 124 deaths.

General Motors issued a recall Tuesday for 1.4 million older cars in North America over the risk that they could catch fire from leaking oil.

The recall, the third for the same problem, covers cars with 3.8-liter V6 engines from the model years 1997-2004, and includes the Pontiac Grand Prix; the Chevrolet Impala, Lumina and Monte Carlo; the Oldsmobile Intrigue and the Buick Regal.

GM said drops of oil can fall on the hot exhaust manifold of the cars and burst into flame, causing engine fires. It is not the first time GM has recalled the cars over the issue, with earlier recalls came in 2008 and 2009.

GM said it "is aware of post-repair fires in some vehicles but no crashes or fatalities." It also said there were 19 reported "minor" injuries tied to the problem since the last recall. The company said in a statement it "is working on a remedy."

GM recalled more than 30 million cars and trucks for various problems in 2014, especially because of faulty ignitions that could lead to crashes. At least 124 deaths have been tied to the ignition problem.

In related news, Volkswagen luxury brand Bentley has recalled more than 27,000 cars because of potentially faulty battery cable connections, a Bentley spokesman said on Tuesday.

The models affected were all Continental GT/GTC/Flying Spur and new Flying Spur cars built between February 2011 and June 2014, the spokesman said in an emailed statement.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2015

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