General Motors EAssist Hybrids Recalled for Faulty Circuit Board
General Motors is recalling 38,197 eAssist-equipped vehicles for a faulty circuit board that could lead to a fire in the trunk in the worst case scenario.
The recall affects 2012 and 2013 model year Chevrolet Malibu Ecos, Buick LaCrosses, and Buick Regals equipped with eAssist and sold in the U.S. Vehicles being recalled were all built before December 2012.
According to GM, a malfunctioning generator control module can slowly drain the battery, leading to an indicator on the dash. If the indicator is ignored, the engine could stall, and in some cases, a burning or melting odor, smoke, and in rare instances, a fire in the trunk.
GM did confirm that the issue is not related to the eAssist battery pack and that the smoke and fire hazard is a result of an overheating control board. So far one trunk fire has been reported, but no injuries are known related to the issue.
Those with affected vehicles will be able to go to the dealership where it will check the generator control module to ensure that it’s operating properly.
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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