GM recalls 1.5M vehicles over wiper system fire concerns, $100 payment to drivers

DETROIT (WXYZ) - General Motors is recalling 1.5 million cars from the 2007-2009 model years because of a problem with a heated washer fluid system that could trigger a fire.

GM says they will disable the feature and provide the vehicle owners and lessees with a $100 compensation. Owners can take their vehicles to the dealership to have the heated washer fluid module removed and the washer fluid hoses rerouted.

GM’s Executive Director of Safety Jeff Boyer says “This was a unique technology available from only one supplier, and that supplier has stopped manufacturing, which left no opportunity to collaborate on an improved design. We want to be clear that the voluntary payment to customers is for the loss of the feature, not the recall.”

Models included in the recall are:

2006-2009 model year Buick Lucerne; Cadillac DTS; Hummer H2; 2008-2009 model year Buick Enclave; Cadillac CTS; 2007-2009 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe; GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL; Saturn Outlook; and 2009 model year Chevrolet Traverse.

The heated washer fluid system was originally recalled in August 2008 because a short circuit on a printed circuit board could overheat the control-circuit ground wire. At the time dealers installed an in-line fuse in the heated washer module wiring.

A government investigation was closed after the 2008 recall. However, GM kept monitoring for reports of problems with the system.