General Motors Co is recalling its newer Buick Lacrosse and Cadillac SRX vehicles. The recall is over a software defect that could create potential problems with the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in the vehicles. In the MY 2011 Buick LaCrosse and Cadillac SRX vehicles, the software in the electronic climate control (ECC) module may disable the ability to adjust the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system settings. Consequently, the driver will be unable to control the heating, cooling, and ventilation of his/her vehicle.
According to General Motors Co:
- 10,179 vehicles for the model year 2011 were affected by the recall
- These vehicles showed problems resulting from a faulty defrost system
- The faulty defrost prevented clearing the windshield when the defrosters stopped working
- Software in the electronic climate controlmodules in the said vehicles may prevent the driver from controlling the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems
- On the road the flaw can hamper visibility and increase the risk of a crash by keeping the defogging and defrosting systems from properly clearing the windshield
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the said vehicles are recalled as they failed to fulfill the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 103,’windshield defrosting and defogging systems’.
According to the federal regulators:
- The problem in the climate control electronics module would disable control of the whole climate control system
- The disabled control in turn will lead to a possible loss of window defrost/defog capability
- Loss of window defrost/defog capability in a vehicle is a gross violation of federal safety rules on driver visibility
Meanwhile, General Motors has assured that there have been no untoward incidents or accidents arising from the problem so far. Actually, the defect in the climate control electronics module was discovered in an internal test when working on a new version of the software, but not when the vehicle was on the road, by the consumer.
As the potential fault lies with the software and not with the components themselves, dealers will carry out the necessary upgrades and recalibration on the modules with the problem.
The recall is expected to begin on or before the 11th of March. Notifications to owners of the affected vehicles will be sent and technicians at the dealership will reprogram the module free of cost to the consumer.