General Motors recalls Chevrolet Camaro for ignition concerns

General Motors has announced four more recalls, including one that affects all current-generation Chevrolet Camaros for key-related ignition concerns. Other recalls involve the Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Sonic, and Saab 9-3 Convertible. This action brings GM’s year-to-date recall total in the United States to 14,401,773 vehicles.

Further testing inspired by the previous small-car ignition recall led to the discovery that the 2010-2014 Camaro had a similar issue. As described by GM, a driver’s knee could bump the key fob, causing the ignition to rotate out of the “run” position. This affects primarily drivers who sit close to the steering wheel. Three crashes have been attributed by the automaker to this problem. The Camaro uses a different ignition switch than the Cobalt and other cars affected by the previous recall.

The fix is a new key that separates the metal key from the fob, rather than change the ignition mechanism.

2014 Buick LaCrosse: A wiring splice in the driver’s door may corrode and break, potentially allowing power windows and sunroof to operate when the vehicle is off. It would also mean the open-door chime may not work.

2012 Chevrolet Sonic: Cars with a six-speed automatic transmission and the 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine risk a crack within the transmission that could prevent upshifting from second gear.

2004-2011 Saab 9-3: The automatic tensioning system in the driver’s seat belt retractor can fail. Dealer’s will replace the driver’s retractor, and GM has extended warranty protection for passenger-side system for the lifetime of the vehicle. This special coverage applies to the 2004-2011 convertibles and also sedans from the 2004 model year.

In all cases, customers will be notified by letter when they can take the vehicles in for the free corrections. Courtesy loan vehicles will be made available.

In the recall aftermath, is it smart to buy a GM car? Read our take.

—Jeff Bartlett

GM ignition recall