10-08-2010, 03:09 AM
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- General Motors is recalling almost 4,000 of its new 2010 Cadillac SRX crossovers in the United States because of a steering-related problem that could lead to fires.
Some of the small SUVs may have a problem in which a power steering pressure hose could leak and squirt power steering fluid onto hot engine parts possibly resulting in a fire.
The reduction in power steering pressure could also make the car more difficult to steer, according to documents from GM and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The problem is believed to actually exist in only two or three of the 3,996 recalled crossovers, GM said in a statement.
The problem was found by a GM engineer assigned to investigate an engine fire in a customer's SRX. So far, that particular instance remains the only fire attributed to the problem.
Most of the SRX's involved in the recall are in the United States, but some are in China.
To fix the problem, dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the power steering hose.
The SRX, which was completely redesigned for the 2010 model year, has been a popular product for GM. So far this year, GM has sold more than three times as many SRXs -- about 37,000 -- as it sold during the same period last year. It is the best selling model in the Cadillac line-up.
This is the second recall in recent weeks for GM's Cadillac luxury division. The automaker recently recalled some Cadillac CTS cars because they didn't provide adequate protection from leg injuries in crashes for smaller people not wearing seatbelts.
GM recalls Cadillacs for potential leg injuries
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- General Motors is recalling 20,224 model year 2009 and 2010 Cadillac CTS all-wheel-drive cars and CTS-V performance sedans because of the potential for leg injuries in some crashes.
The vehicles don't comply with federal safety requirements in terms of how well they protect smaller, unseatbelted passengers from leg injuries in crashes, GM said in a letter alerting safety officials to the problem.
"In the event of a crash, if a small occupant is in the front passenger seat and is not wearing a safety belt, the risk of injury to the femur is higher than permitted under federal law," GM said in a September 13 letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The femur is the long bone the thigh.
The problem was discovered during crash tests contracted by GM.
To rectify the problem, GM dealers will replace the cars' glove compartment assembly and, in some cases, will modify the structure of the instrument. The work will be performed at no charge to the cars' owners.
The recall does not apply to two-wheel drive Cadillac CTS models.