GM used H3′s fire-prone parts in Saturn Sky, Pontiac Solstice

Following General Motors’ recall for the Hummer H3 and H3T, reports suggest the same fire-prone parts were used in the Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice without prompting the same safety action.

The Hummer campaign focused on a wiring harness connected to the blower motor, affecting approximately 200,000 vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received at least 73 complaints alleging component melting, smoldering or vehicle fires.

After hunting through the NHTSA complaints database, The Truth About Cars noticed similar complaints for the Pontiac and Saturn models and confirmed that the same part number had been used for both roadsters. The original part had been succeeded by two revisions, fueling speculation that the company may have attempted to resolve the issue without issuing a recall.

A further search identified the Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent as additional models sharing the same original part. The company is said to have switched to a new wiring design in 2006, apparently fixing the overheating problems.

GM has worked to restore its tarnished image in the wake of the ignition-switch defect, which has been associated with at least 114 deaths. The company claims to have changed its ways, instituting a more proactive approach in dealing with recalls. A flood of defect announcements in the past year has appeared to support the claim, however the latest revelations have led to comparisons with GM’s years of nonchalant approach to safety concerns.

In the H3 recall, GM allegedly failed to act on owner complaints for six years before reporting the potential problems to the NHTSA in January. After uncovering a volume of complaints much higher than GM self-reported, the agency allegedly pressured the company to launch a recall or face a formal investigation.