Posted on 06/25/2012 1:34:37 PM PDT by bigbob
OK, the tail lights looked like Toyota-ish.
Though in this case, the fire apparently started in the trunk and is not related to the recall, it does make one wonder if that's the next recall.
Thanks, that’s what it looked like to me.
But it must be photoshopped because as everybody on FR knows, a Japanese car could not be defective.
I always wear my Hinchman Nomex when I drive my Cruze.
It fits a little tighter than when I raced in SCCA 30 yrs ago, LOL.
In the case of the Celica, IIRC the reason that one went on fire was because dude had his aftermarket stereo system short out and burst into flames - that pic has made the rounds before. or one just like it anyway.
You may have a point, there. However, I’m guessing you didn’t see the other thing the Cruze is being recalled for. I don’t recall ever hearing of a Japanese car they forgot to weld the back on properly. Or that has the clutch fluid leak out once the clutch gets worn.
The official recall Q&A: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/UCM423012/RCORRD-12V289-6767.pdf
It’s pretty funny. Apparently if you drive it with a worn clutch, it leaks hydraulic fluid as well. And someone forgot to weld the back of the car on properly. From that document:
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FINAL Q&A for 2011-2012 Chevrolet Cruze Underhood Fires and Potential Missing Rear Compartment Welds Safety Recalls. (Populations: U.S. 413,148; Canada 61,299; Export 701 [Israel only])
Q&A
Q1. What is the proposed fix for the underhood fires?
A1. The engine shield, also known as the belly pan, can “catch” oil or other hot fluids that might drip from the engine. This occurs most often if an oil change is done improperly or improper parts are used. If these fluids make contact with hot engine parts, such as a manifold or catalytic converter, and then contact the engine shield, a fire could start and spread. Modifying the shield will help prevent any liquids from being trapped in the engine compartment. In Cruzes with manual transmissions, continued driving with a worn clutch may cause extremely hot or burning hydraulic fluid to leak from the manual transmission vent. Modifying the shield should also help prevent the hydraulic fluid from becoming trapped in the engine compartment, where a fire could start and spread.
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Q3. What about the missing welds? How did this happen?
A3. A welding process error in one body shop station created a condition in which up to 249 cars may be missing some welds in the rear of the vehicle.
Q4. So what will you do to cars found missing welds?
A4. The first step is to inspect. Corrections will be made with mechanical fasteners (bolts and rivets) if necessary.
Q5. What if a customer with a car missing welds doesn’t want it anymore? Will GM repurchase the car?
A5. We are always happy to work with customers. We believe the repair more than adequately addresses the missing welds issue.
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I wouldn’t be too happy about someone bolting and riveting my car together because they forgot to weld it up instead... You gotta wonder about it; if the lazy UAW asshats couldn’t be bothered to weld the chassis together properly, what else did they ‘forget’ to do?
I checked with “sources” and that welding is robotic, so rather than some UAW guy, it was a programming error on the part of a white collar person.
Actually, a whole line of cars - Flame, Incendiary, Nitro Express (to hell), Hot Pants, El Bomba (the Mexican Export), and Al Jihad (the Muslim Import).
The welding is supervised by a UAW worker. Not a white collar guy.
So, where was he for two hundred odd cars?
Probably out back smoking weed.
It’s a Lordstown tradition, going back to the 60s.
Likewise the drunken Cajuns throwing their lunch trash and Coke/beer bottles inside panels then welding them inside at the Shreveport plant. Can’t fire any of them either, they’re UAW.
So, why would I want to buy a car loosely screwed together by cretins like that? Say what you like about the Japanese, but they fire anyone caught doing that and GM doesn’t.
I tried to donate it to Goodwill this morning, but they said it’s too dangerous.
Maybe I can get my old Cleveland Irish Mafia buddies to steal it and collect a few pennies on insurance.
From an acquaintance that works at a New England Chebby dealer:
“The Cruise is a s**t ton better than the Sonic. but that is not saying much. Having been under these cars when they hit dealerships, I can say I was not impressed with the packaging. I saw many things that did not seem to make sense from a Tech’s point of view and made them harder to work on when a simpler solution could have been used. In my honest opinion, you could tell this car was “thrown” together to get it out.
We had one come back after 3,500 miles FIVE times for a coolant smell in the HVAC system. It got to the point where the guy wanted a new car and GM pretty much told him to go f**k himself. GM made him take it to court. Ridiculous.”
What is it with GM and small cars catching fire? They need to stick with what they have been successful at, building tricks and SUV’s.
I’d be interested to do a walk around with him.
I have mine up on my lift when I change oil and it doesn’t look a whole lot different than any other fwd econobox. I’ve worked on a lot of different makes since I retired from doing it “professionally” @ the General.
They do have a full belly pan for aero but it’s just a bunch of easily removed bolts.
He’s saying it’s worse than many he’s seen.
Also, as someone who has given domestics many, many chances over the years, quite often the engineering in them is far worse than the competition. Sometimes it’s better, but not often.
The only reason I have a Ford diesel pickup right now is because the older Nissan and Toyota diesels still have ridiculous resale value and the bang for the buck just isn’t there. The Dodges have the rest of the truck rot away around the Cummins engine, the GMs pitch rods like Nolan Ryan threw fastballs and some idiot at GM thought it was a good idea to stick the engine’s rather heat-sensitive injection control module in the middle of the V where heat cooks it. The Ford is a compromise between the two, but there’s still many, many bonehead moments in this thing’s design. It’s actually worse designed than my old XJ6 (why the F**K do you have to drill holes in the doors to remove the damn window motors????), but it does the job without the truck rotting away or the engine exploding.
Hit send too soon. Anyway, Ford’s engineering has gotten better and is on par with the better foreign makers now. Even Chrysler’s gotten better, but GM really hasn’t done too much to improve their overall tech base - instead they chose to concentrate resources on niche vehicles.
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