GM recalls 1.3M vehicles for power steering defect

General Motors issued a new separate recall today of more than 1.5 million cars for a steering defect and the company now estimates the recent spate of recalls will cost it about $750 million.

The power steering defect, which covers a range of compact and midsize cars from 2004 through 2010 model years, is not related to the expanded ignition switch recall — but some of the vehicles affected by the new recall are also affected by the ignition switch issue.

GM did not immediately disclose whether the power steering defect caused any deaths, but a quick review of complaints filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration showed some crashes and injuries.

The new recall comes a day before GM CEO Mary Barra is expected to testify before Congress about the company’s failure to fix the faulty ignition switches.

The latest recall expands the number of vehicles GM has recalled in the last two months to about 4.5 million.

http://www.freep.com/article/20140331/BUSINESS0101/303310117/GM-General-Motors-recall-power-steering