GM Recalls 413,418 Chevy Cruzes Because They Might Burst Into Flames

Jalopnik.com ^ | June 22, 2012 | Benjamin Preston

[Palmetto Patriot]

Chevrolet is on fire this year, literally. After a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation into Chevy Volt battery fires, the bowtie is in the hot seat again, this time for its so far much lauded 2011 and 2012 Cruze models.

There's a problem with the engine cover where if oil leaks onto the hot exhaust pipe, the plastic cover catches fire. Chevrolet, eager to hang on to its recent J.D. Power & Associates award for build quality, issued a recall for 413,418 cars, encouraging Cruze owners to avoid fiery death and have the problem fixed for free at any Chevrolet service center.

[Palmetto Patriot]

Video of flaming Chevy Cruze at link.

[Doogle]

obamamobile

[Third Person]

Does the steering wheel fall off first?

[stephenjohnbanker]

I have seen 2 on fire, and neither had been in a collision.

[rlmorel]

"...Chevrolet, eager to hang on to its recent J.D. Power & Associates award for build quality..."

What a damned joke. Some people really believe these things...probably the same people who fawn over people on the cover of Time, or recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize.

[TBall]

Ford just looks better and better. The big F.

[pieceofthepuzzle]

It’s the spontaneous combustion engine.

[Palmetto Patriot]

Does the steering wheel fall off first?

If the steering wheel falls off, GM recommends you drive it to a dealership immediately.

[andy58-in-nh]

They really need to rethink their marketing strategy.

[Caipirabob]

GM - cars made for commies

[andy58-in-nh]

It’s the spontaneous combustion engine.

Okay, that was just funny as hell.

[depressed in 06]

A metaphor for the DumBO campaign.

[reg45]

Cruze - Same chassis as the Volt.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Wonder if the Pelosi’s own one of these death traps...

[reg45]

It's a moot point. The Chevy Cruze never leaks oil. </sarcasm>

[Palmetto Patriot]

Cruze - Same chassis as the Volt.

Both erupt in flames.

Different source of ignition.

[nhoward14]

I can see dealers right now putting HOT HOT HOT signs on all their Cruze inventory.

[reg45]

New Slogan: “AVOID FIERY DEATH: Buy a Ford, Honda, or Toyota”

[Eye of Unk]

MarxistMobiles

[nascarnation]

That’s amazing, there are 5 total in the NHTSA database and you’ve witnessed 40% of them!

[COBOL2Java]

[stylin19a]

same platform as the volt?

[Palmetto Patriot]

Gives new meaning to the term “Chevy Blazer”.

[Proud2BeRight]

Looks like about a million less Chevys need to be recalled than the number of Toyotas needing recall that could have their doors catch on fire.

[DrC]

I don’t see the problem. Government Motors creates business for government-run health care. Are we sure this “synergy” wasn’t planned to keep unionized health care workers busy under Obamacare?

[MIchaelTArchangel]

musta made them on the Volt line.

[Dallas59]

[Average Al]

GM announces the parts will continue to fall (or burn) off until the car improves! ;-)

[Average Al]

Every car comes with a 33,000 mile $1M burn center policy.

[Zeppo]

It’s not a “bug”, it’s a “feature”.

Time for some clever GM marketing exec to suggest bundling a long fork and some free coupons for marshmallows with every Chevy Cruze sold.

[Salvavida]

At least the owner got a car wash out of the deal.

[jazusamo]

The company knows of 30 fires caused by the problem, but no injuries have been reported, spokesman Alan Adler said. Flames engulfed and destroyed cars in two cases reported to federal safety officials.

30 engine fires spur Chevy to recall 475,000 Cruze compacts

GM seems to have another data base.

[Third Person]

From the WSJ:

Chevy Recalls Cruze After A Steering Wheel Falls Off

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2011/04/10/chevy-recalls-cruze-after-a-steering-wheel-falls-off/

[nascarnation]

Still - one person has randomly encountered 7% of the national population.
What an amazing stat.

[JCBreckenridge]

Ahahahahaha.

Post of the day.

[dsrtsage]

Meh, what't the big deal, I've had the dash in my '66 landcruiser catch fire a couple of times. Just stop, spray it with the fire extinguisher, rewire, go...less than a 10 minute inconvenience..

[jazusamo]

The 7% you mentioned are those fires that have been reported, who knows how many haven't?

I would imagine many things are amazing to one who has witnessed them, not so much for those who haven't.

The VW Bug had a terrible reputation for engine fires, a gas line in the engine compartment was the culprit. I saw many of them over a period of years and I'd guess tens of millions never saw one.

[Palmetto Patriot]

Chevy Recalls Cruze After A Steering Wheel Falls Off

I can see where that might be a problem.

[Redcitizen]

Flame decals not needed.

[AAABEST]

That’s amazing, there are 5 total in the NHTSA database and you’ve witnessed 40% of them!

The NHTSA is a government source. i.e. it doesn't count. Not all fires would be reported to them, even if they weren't incompetent.

GM has another 30:

The fires can ignite when fluids, mainly oil spilled when it is being changed, drip onto a hot plastic shield below the engine, the company said Friday. GM knows of 30 fires caused by the problem.
LINK

One can only guess how many additional fires aren't being reported by (or haven't been reported to) GM or the NHTSB.

[Palmetto Patriot]

Cruze IE (Incendiary Edition)

[calex59]

If the steering wheel falls off, GM recommends you drive it to a dealership immediately.

Your statement reminds me of the old computers where if your keyboard failed, or was simply not plugged in, during boot up the computer would stop and give this message "Keyboard failure, hit any key to continue".

[DrC]

“Every car comes with a 33,000 mile $1M burn center policy.”

For families I believe they also offer a “Buy One, Get One Free” policy on skin grafts for burn victims.

[Average Al]

A bag of marsh-mellows comes in every glove box...

[nascarnation]

Actually there’s a tremendous incentive for these to be reported.

These are all 1 or 2 year old cars which means almost 100% chance they are covered by comprehensive insurance.

Insurance companies are going to want reimbursement from GM and having NHTSA declare a defect helps their case.