The 2014 Chevrolet Malibu is facing its second recall for brake problems in a week.
For the second time in barely a week, brake problems are forcing the recall of the recently updated Chevrolet Malibu.
The latest problem involves a vacuum hose that can become disconnected resulting in problems bringing the 2014 Chevy sedans to a stop. A total of 140,067 Malibus are covered by the latest recall.
Just last week, General Motors announced a smaller recall covering both the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu and Buick LaCrosse models because the factory may inadvertently have put rear brakes on the front wheel, an error that could eventually cause premier brake wear or even brake failure. That recall involved just 8,590 vehicles.
The latest Malibu recall affects base versions of the sedan equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and automatic stop/start. They were produced between June 12, 2013 and May 2 of this year. The maker said it discovered the problem while testing a different model not yet on sale that uses a brake system similar to the one in the 2014 Malibu.
The two recalls come as a further embarrassment for GM, which has been facing a spate of safety-related problems in recent months. All told, it has recalled more than 7 million vehicles since jut the beginning of the year, about a third as many cars, trucks and crossovers as the entire U.S. auto industry recalled during all of 2013.
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The single biggest recall involves the 2.6 million vehicles equipped with potentially faulty ignition switches. That defect has been linked to at least 13 deaths. But it has also triggered a flurry of lawsuits, as well as investigations by both houses of Congress, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the U.S. Justice Department.
GM has offered owners of the vehicles affected by the ignition switch problem free loaners and discounts if they wish to trade in on new vehicles. Repairs began earlier this month but could stretch on into the summer because of a shortage of replacement ignition switches.
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Other recent GM recalls have included:
- More than 56,000 Saturn Aura sedans equipped with faulty transmission cables. The Aura was added to a long list of other GM models, including the Buick Regal and 2014 Chevrolet Malibu, recalled to repair a similar problem earlier this year;
- More than 51,000 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia crossovers equipped with faulty gas gauges;
- About 172,000 Chevrolet Cruze sedans equipped with axles that could break, causing their right front wheel to com loose;
- About 1.2 million ful-size SUVs equipped with potentially faulty seat-mounted side-impact airbags.
Even the new Cadillac ELR, the luxury brand’s first plug-in hybrid, was recalled due to problems with its electronic stability control system.
Curiously, GM has been gaining steadily in various quality and reliability studies over the last several years. It was, in fact, the top manufacturer in the widely followed J.D. Power Initial Quality Survey last year. The recall frenzy could stall the maker’s efforts to improve its image – though industry analysts also have noted that its sales have shown little impact from recent recall problems.
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