GM Issues Recall For Nearly 194,000 SUVs

2006 Chevy Trailblazer

General Motors has issued a recall for about 194,000 SUVs due to a potential fire risk. The problem stems from an electronic module that could potentially short circuit.

The models affected include the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL SUVs and 2006 and 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, SAAB 9-7x, and Isuzu Ascender SUVs. Some 2005 9-7Xs are also included in the recall.

The electronic module is located in the door of the recalled vehicles where there is the potential for water to to get in and corrode the circuits. One those circuits suffer damage, they affect the power door locks and power window switches which will stop working.

This could cause a short circuit which could then make the electronic module overheat, causing a fire. The car doesn’t even need to be on for this problem to happen, so even affected SUVs just sitting parked in a driveway or garage could catch fire.

The concern is great enough that owners are being asked not to park their vehicles in their garages where the fire could spread to the surrounding structure. Instead, cars should be parked in open areas to reduce the risk of harm to buildings and people.

This isn’t the first time General Motors has issued a recall for this problem. In August of last year they issued a similar recall for the same vehicles, however it was limited only to areas that saw heavy salt use in the winter as that was deemed the cause of the corrosion.

At the NHTSA’s urging they’ve expanded that original recall to include all vehicles, regardless of the region in which the owner resides. So far there have been 58 fires reported and 11 injuries due to corrosion of the electronic module.

Owners of affected vehicles will be contacted by their manufacturers to bring their cars in for inspection. If the module shows no signs of corrosion, then it will be treated with a protective coating. In the event that water has already gotten into the module, it will be completely replaced.

Nicole Wakelin fell in love with cars as a teenager when she got to go for a ride in a Ferrari. It was red and it was fast and that was all that mattered. Game over. She considers things a bit more carefully now, but still has a weakness for fast, beautiful cars. Nicole also writes for NerdApproved and GeekMom.