General Motors Recalls Chevy Spark

© Reuters. General Motors (GM) Recalls Chevy Spark

By Michael Elkins

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Chevrolet Spark and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark EV vehicles according to a report on the National Highway Traffic Safety Association’s website. The recall notice, which effects approximately 120,500 vehicles, mentions that the vehicle’s secondary hood latch may corrode at the latch pivot, preventing the hood latch from properly engaging.

Under the defect description, the NHTSA report says that “General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2013 – 2015 model year Chevrolet Spark and 2014 – 2015 model year Spark EV vehicles. The secondary hood latch lever in these vehicles may prematurely corrode at the pivot. If severely corroded, the secondary latch striker may become stuck out of position and fail to properly engage.”

The cause of the defect is a protective coating applied to the hood striker assemblies. The protective coating is insufficient to prevent severe corrosion.

This recall relates to a 2014 recall intended to address premature corrosion of the secondary hood latch. The recall remedy was to replace the affected components with parts that had improved corrosion protection. However, following a new product investigation, GM found reports of prematurely corroding hood latches in vehicles that had received the recall remedy. At that time, the company expanded the scope of the investigation to include all 2013 – 2015 Spark and 2014 – 2015 Spark EV vehicles in the U.S. and ultimately decided to conduct a safety recall.

Dealers will replace the hood striker assembly and hood latch assembly. Vehicles included in the previous recall that have not received the recall remedy will be administratively closed under the old recall number and moved under this recall campaign.