| Subject: | Generator control module fires |
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| Investigations Summary: | On may 3, 2013 general motors (gm) issued safety recall 13v-173 to address the improper function of the generator control module (gcm) in model year (my) 2012-2013 Buick lacrosee and regal and my 2013 Chevrolet malibu eco vehicles, equipped with eassist. This condition may cause a gradual loss of battery charge and the illumination of the malfunction indicator light. This could later lead to engine stall and/or inability for the vehicle to start. It may also lead to a burning or melting odor, smoke and possibly a fire in the trunk. Gm's recall notification to the office of defects investigation (odi) stated that, prior to the recall decision, a service procedure was applied to unsold vehicles which involved stressing the gcm under extreme conditions to identify potential gcm non-conformities. According to the recall notice, dealers are to perform this screening process on a certain population of vehicles and/or if necessary, replace the gcm. Gm recall bulletins 13136 and 13142 address this screening process and the replacement of the gcm, respectively. However prior to the recall notification, gm was informed of a fire in a vehicle that previously had the service update performed, thus drawing into question whether or not the procedure can effectively identify a defective gcm. A recall query has been opened to investigate whether or not the service procedure is sufficient in identifying the safety defect in the subject vehicles. |
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