GM CANADA WILL DEACTIVATE HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEMS

By General Motors of Canada - General Motors of Canada is recalling 98,794 cars, trucks and crossovers from the 2007-2009 model years to disable a heated washer fluid system module that could pose a fire risk. Since the feature will be disabled, GM will make a voluntary payment of $105 to the owner or lessee of each vehicle for the loss of the feature.

GM Canada is conducting this recall to ensure customers have complete peace of mind and can count on the safety and quality of their GM vehicle. There are no known injuries or crashes related to the condition and there have been no reported incidents in Canada.

Dealership service personnel will remove the heated washer fluid module and reroute washer fluid hoses. Customers will begin receiving recall letters this month, but they can contact their dealer at any time to make an appointment to have the heated washer system removed.

The heated washer module was a unique technology available from only one supplier, and that supplier has stopped manufacturing, which left no opportunity to collaborate on an improved design.

Models included in the recall are the 2006-2009 model year Buick Lucerne; Cadillac DTS; Hummer H2; 2008-2009 model year Buick Enclave; Cadillac CTS; 2007-2009 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe; GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL; Saturn Outlook; and 2009 model year Chevrolet Traverse.

Most of the vehicles, 1,365,070, are in the United States; there are 98,794 affected vehicles in Canada; 26,228 in Mexico and 38,093 exports.

The heated washer fluid system was recalled in August 2008 because a short circuit on the printed circuit board could overheat the control-circuit ground wire. Dealers at the time installed an in-line fuse in the heated washer module wiring.

GM continued to monitor the performance of the heated washer fluid module in the field. In June 2009, a new and second failure mode was identified by GM with the first confirmed report consisting of smoke only. Since then, GM has been made aware of five fires in the US.