The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced the recall of about 426,240 General Motors (GM) vehicles as the result of a transmission defect that increases the risk of a car accident.
The affected vehicles include model year 2008 to 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, model year 2007 to 2010 Saturn Aura, and model year 2008 to 2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles, all equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission.
The tabs on the end of the transmission shift cable may fracture and separate. Should this happen, the actual position of the transmission gear and the shift lever may not match. While the driver would be able to move the shift lever to “Park” and remove the ignition key, the gear may not have fully transitioned into “Park,” increasing the risk that the vehicle may roll or move with or without the driver or other occupants in the vehicle, and cause a crash. In addition, the vehicle may not be able to restart.
General Motors will notify owners of the recall and dealers will replace the shift cable or install a retainer over the cable at no cost to the owner. A notification schedule has not yet been provided. For additional information, owners may call GM at (800) 521-7300.
At Blume Forte, our knowledgeable NJ auto product liability attorneys are dedicated to helping victims of car accidents caused by defective equipment or parts. If you have been injured as the result of a defective auto product, contact us for a no-cost consultation to understand your legal rights and potential options. 973-845-4421.