NHTSA Campaign 02V070000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

Issued by GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · Reported Mar 6, 2002 · 1,589,948 vehicles affected

What's wrong

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.

Consequence

IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
BUICK SKYLARK 1996 1,589,948
BUICK SKYLARK 1997 1,589,948
CHEVROLET CAVALIER 1995 1,589,948
CHEVROLET CAVALIER 1996 1,589,948
CHEVROLET CAVALIER 1997 1,589,948
OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA 1996 1,589,948
OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA 1997 1,589,948
PONTIAC GRAND AM 1996 1,589,948
PONTIAC GRAND AM 1997 1,589,948
PONTIAC SUNFIRE 1995 1,589,948
PONTIAC SUNFIRE 1996 1,589,948
PONTIAC SUNFIRE 1997 1,589,948

Source: NHTSA Campaign 02V070000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.