GM recalls more than 420,000 cars due to transmission and turn signal problems

General Motors has recalled 426,240 of its 2007-2010 Saturn Aura and 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 vehicles equipped with 4-speed automatic transmissions, because the parked cars can potentially roll away if the tabs on the transmission shift cable end fracture and separate.

GM has also recalled more than 4,700 of its 2013 Chevrolet Sonic because the body control module (BCM) on these vehicles can fail to notify drivers when a turn signal bulb has burned out. Without a working turn signal, the possibility of a collision is increased.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the automatic transmission problem with the Saturn Aura, Chevy Malibu, and Pontiac G6 vehicles was traced to a transmission cable that can fray and fail. Transmission cable failure may result in the shift lever inside the recalled cars to not match the gear the cars are actually in. If put in park, for example, a driver would be able to turn off the car and remove the keys, but, the vehicle could fail to restart or roll away since it is still in gear.

GM will notify owners of this recall, and dealers will install a retainer over the cable end or replace the shift cable as necessary for free. GM does not yet have a notification schedule. Owners of the recalled vehicles can call GM at 1-800-521-7300.

For the Chevy Sonic recall, GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the BCM and the vehicle's key fobs for free. The safety recall is expected to begin Oct. 3, 2012. For more information owners can call the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546.

In April 2011, Consumer Reports Annual Auto Survey of more than 1.3 million vehicles identified the Pontiac G6 Coupe and Convertible as having reliability that was much worse than average among 2001 to 2010 models. For more read Best and Worst Used Cars.

Sources:
Recall: 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibu / Pontiac G6 / 2007-2010 Saturn Aura - Automatic transmission; Campaign ID #: 12V460000 [NHTSA]
Recall: 2013 Chevrolet Sonic - Exterior lighting / turn signal   Campaign ID #: 12 V454000 [NHTSA]

—Maggie Shader