NHTSA Probes GM’s Screening Test After Fire

The NHTSA is looking into whether GM is doing the right thing with cars it has recalled. According to Reuters, "the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it has opened what it calls a recall query to look at whether a stress test GM is using on a portion of the recalled cars is good enough, because a fire occurred after the procedure that was meant to catch the problem." In May, GM recalled 42,904 2012 and 2013 model Buick LaCrosse and Regal cars, and 2013 model Chevrolet Malibu Eco cars equipped with its "eAssist" mild hybrid system, after circuit boards did overheat and would "lead to a loss of battery charge or, in extreme cases, a fire in the trunk," as the report says. Of the recalled cars, about 22,000 are getting their battery packs replaced. The rest undergoes a screening test to see if the control module needs to be replaced. Says Reuters: "NHTSA questioned the effectiveness of the screening test because the fire in March occurred in a car that had already gone through the testing as part of a service procedure before the recall."  The NHTSA said that the fire drew "into question whether or not the procedure can effectively identify a defective control module." from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com

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