The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore all-wheel-drive vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to September 9, 2013; Verano vehicles manufactured August 8, 2012, to June 20, 2013; Chevrolet Cruze vehicles manufactured August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2013, and 2012-2014 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles manufactured May 10, 2011, to August 16, 2012 equipped with a Calix oil pan/block heater. In cold temperatures, the insulation on the engine block heater cord can become damaged, allowing the wires to be exposed.
The risk
Exposed wires increase the risk of electrical shock and personal injury if the cord is handled while it is plugged in.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine oil pan/block heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degree Celsius. The recall began in August 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14257.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Buick Encore | 2013, 2014 |
| Buick Verano | 2013, 2014 |
| Chevrolet Cruze | 2013, 2014 |
| Chevrolet Sonic | 2012, 2013, 2014 |
Components: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buick Encore | 2013 | 52 | 6 |
| Buick Encore | 2014 | 60 | 4 |
| Buick Verano | 2013 | 107 | 3 |
| Buick Verano | 2014 | 101 | 6 |
| Chevrolet Cruze | 2013 | 587 | 5 |
| Chevrolet Cruze | 2014 | 702 | 10 |
| Chevrolet Sonic | 2012 | 354 | 7 |
| Chevrolet Sonic | 2013 | 217 | 6 |
| Chevrolet Sonic | 2014 | 150 | 4 |
Other equipment recalls in 2014
107 of the 770 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2014 concerned the equipment; General Motors LLC filed 272 campaigns in all.
| 14V828000 30 Dec 2014 | Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC |
| 14V823000 29 Dec 2014 | Forest River, Inc. |
| 14V821000 29 Dec 2014 | Champion Bus, Inc. |
| 14V782000 9 Dec 2014 | Starcraft RV |
| 14V775000 5 Dec 2014 | Jayco, Inc. |
| 14V745000 21 Nov 2014 | Altec Industries Inc. |
| 14V734000 17 Nov 2014 | Allied Recreation Group, Inc. |
| 14V718000 10 Nov 2014 | Sutphen Corporation |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2014