Over a power steering problem.

DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Co is recalling 1.3 million compact cars in North America to address a power steering problem that has been linked to 14 crashes and one injury, the company said on Tuesday.

The recall covers the 2005-2010 model year Chevrolet Cobalt and 2007-2010 Pontiac G5 in the United States; 2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit sold in Canada, and the 2005-2006 Pontiac G4 sold in Mexico, GM said in a statement.

GM said it told U.S. safety regulators about the voluntary recall on Monday after concluding an investigation that began in 2009.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation on January 27 into approximately 905,000 Cobalt models in the United States after receiving more than 1,100 complaints of loss of power steering assist.

"After our in-depth investigation, we found that this is a condition that takes time to develop. It tends to occur in older models out of warranty," GM Vice President of Quality Jamie Hresko said in the statement.

Hresko said that while greater steering effort under 15 mph may be required, the vehicle can still be "safely controlled because the customer can still steer the vehicle."

GM said it is currently developing a remedy to fix the problem and will notify customers when the plan is finalized.

Japanese rival Toyota Motor Corp is facing a slide in U.S. sales after recalling more than 8 million vehicles worldwide due to problems with uncontrolled acceleration and braking glitches that have shone a spotlight on vehicle safety.

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Use a horse for shopping and.... ...an ox-wagon for the long hauls to Durbs. Far safer and tried and tested for hundreds of years. by Voortrekker on March 02 2010, 00:28 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

An industry that needs to re-invent itself worldwide. This "moving metal at all costs" industry producing 4 units every second 24/7 365. The ever quickening treadmill had to seize. It needs to take a long hard look at it's procurement, manufacturing, marketing and retail processes. It could not . .more sustain the spireling vortex it has found itself in since the late 80's. Marque brand, model , and derivative proliferation. Rush to market. Price Collusion. Shortening model lifecycles. Questionalble materials and build techniques. Robotics. Massive retail investments. Cluster manufacturing and Transport implications. Margins and value. Increasing electrocs and declining durability of product. The pre occupation with speed and performance. And a host of other factors which this industry takes for granted. If ever and industry needs a complete overhaul it's the worldwide motor industry. . .less by Tom on March 02 2010, 00:48 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Calling GM "vehicles" vehicles is a bit of a stretch, but ja, I know what you mean by on March 02 2010, 00:56 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

NO ASTON MARTINS YET Well I am glad to see my Aston is in fine shape, pays to buy quality! by BART on March 02 2010, 01:56 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Calling anything built in the last four years 'vehicles' is a stretch Suddenly Hyundai well away from the cutting edge is looking good. by Free the REst on March 02 2010, 02:35 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

The ODD Thing The ODD thing ..... is that even with all this bad news...recession and all.... CAR PRICES IN SOUTH AFRICA ARE RISING. The Motor Industry adds absolutely zip and complains at every opportunity..... gets a subsidy.... and still adds . .more nothing to growth and jobs.... in fact recent news indicates that 160 jobs were lost recently . .less by Marky Mark on March 02 2010, 03:15 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

GERMAN CARS my bmw service is a rip off. I had a problem with it. I sent it to menlyn auto They wanted to replace the gear box which was 3X the cars value. Then the service manager offered to buy it off me. by MJ on March 02 2010, 05:08 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Broken,- like Moneyweb's clock Why are the postings being recorded at 8 hours before real time. by Voortrekker on March 02 2010, 05:37 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Just Wondering All these recalls. Something is up. Are recalls just up or is something else adrift. A couple of million cars her a couple of million there. Peak oil ? A rampant oil price. Are these cars geting a new fuel efficiecy software at the same time? by Strange on March 02 2010, 09:15 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

wonder will GM be crucified like Toyota. by thibo on March 02 2010, 12:32 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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