General Motors will recall 15,627 Chevrolet Captiva crossovers sold worldwide, the automaker announced today. The issue behind the recall is power steering fluid that can overheat and potentially lead to an engine compartment fire.
If a Captiva is driven for extended periods with the transmission in manual mode and left in first gear, the power steering fluid could overheat and begin to leak, said GM spokesman Alan Adler. Leaking coolant in the presence of an ignition source could lead to an engine fire.
The recall, which affects model year 2011-12 Captivas, will include 3,150 units sold to rental fleets in America. Dealers will replace the power steering fluid loop cooler with a more-efficient cooler to reduce the fire risk. Starting in January, GM will also send letters to customers with instructions detailing the proper use of manual mode, as replacement parts will not be available until March.
Though GM has received three reports of fires in Columbia, there have no incendiary incidents in America.
