GM to recall mid-sized SUVs to repair power-window, door-lock switches

General Motors Co. will recall 249,260 midsize sport utility vehicles to correct a potential fire hazard, a U.S. government safety agency said. GM, in a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, said the recall affected 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer and GMC Envoy SUVs, as well as certain 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Saab 9-7X and Isuzu Ascender SUVs. A possible electrical short could affect power windows and door locks, and in some cases could cause a fire, GM said in its Aug. 17 letter to the NHTSA that was posted on the agency's Web site. The recall involves vehicles sold or currently registered mainly in the Northeast and Midwest states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. "Fluid may enter the driver's door module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short may also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke or a fire," the NHTSA said. GM dealers will replace the driver's master power window switch on Chevrolet, GMC and Buick models. Saab and Isuzu owners can call the manufacturers' customer service centers or the NHTSA safety hotline. All of the models are based on a GM platform and have been discontinued. The recall was reported Saturday by The Detroit News and the Associated Press. GM has received reports of 28 fires, the AP said. The company is not aware of any injuries caused by the problem. NHTSA launched an investigating of the SUVs in February after receiving a dozen complaints of fires. The agency upgraded its investigation of the matter to an engineering analysis in June. GM had received at least 167 reports and 698 warranty claims related to the alleged problem, the News said. NHTSA has received 83 complaints, 66 alleging the door module had melted or burned, and the remaining 17 stating that the window switches acted erratically or were inoperative, according to the News.