GM recalls 718,000 more vehicles in US

General Motors headquarters in Detroit, USA. (AFP/Stan Honda)

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NEW YORK: General Motors on Wednesday (July 23) announced six recalls covering nearly 718,000 vehicles in the US, adding to its recall tally after an ignition-switch auto safety scandal.

The largest recall announced Wednesday, affecting 414,333 vehicles, will address a problem with the bolt that secures the height adjustor for driver and passenger seat structures in the 2010-2012 Chevrolet Camaro, the 2011-12 Buick Regal and some other models.

If the bolt falls out, the seat will move up and down freely, GM said. GM is aware of one crash and three injuries, but no fatalities because of the problem.

GM said it was also recalling 57,242 model-year 2014 Chevrolet Impalas because of a problem with the power steering system. Affected cars can lose power steering because of an issue with the electrical connection to the system. GM said it is aware of one crash, but no injuries or fatalities due to the condition.

Two other larger recalls cover problems with incomplete welding on seat hooks in 124,008 cars, including the 2014 Chevrolet Caprice; and a problem with the turn signals in 120,426 cars, including the 2011-2013 Buick Regal and the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. GM knew of no crashes or injuries in either case.

The other two recalls involved far fewer vehicles: an issue with an arm bolt that can result in reduced steering control in 1,919 2014-2015 Chevrolet Sparks imported from South Korea; and 22 Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali from model year 2015 with roof carriers that may have been attached with the wrong nuts. GM also knew of no crashes or injuries in either of these cases.

Jeff Boyer, vice president for global vehicle safety at GM, said the latest recalls reflect a proactive approach to safety.

"If we identify an issue -- large or small -- that might affect the safety of our customers, we will act decisively," he said.

GM has been under scrutiny since publicly acknowledging 13 deaths in 54 accidents linked to an ignition-switch defect in several models no longer being manufactured. The company has recalled 2.6 million cars since February for the faulty switch.

The largest US automaker is under federal and congressional investigations, and multiple lawsuits, for its delayed recall of the cars.

Lawmakers sharply criticized GM chief executive Mary Barra at a hearing last week, with Senator Claire McCaskill decrying a record of "indifference, incompetence and deceit" after the automaker failed to recall the cars more than a decade after ignition switch problems surfaced.

GM, which has recalled roughly 30 million vehicles so far in 2014, previously said second-quarter charges for recall costs would be $1.2 billion, bringing the first-half charge to $2.5 billion.

GM is scheduled to report second-quarter earnings Thursday before the stock markets open.