GM Recalls 1.2M SUVs; Honda Recalls 900K Minivans

A GM SUV recall and a Honda minivan recall are in full swing, adding to the staggering number of vehicles being recalled as of late.

General Motors has had a tough time with recalls lately. The U.S. Department of Justice recently launched a formal investigation into GM for allegedly failing to address dangerous safety problems for years before issuing a separate recall affecting compact cars.

What are the GM and Honda recalls about this time around?

GM Midsize Crossover SUV Recall

Roughly 1.18 million GM midsize crossover SUVs are being recalled because their side air bags, front center air bags, and seat belt pretensioners might not deploy if drivers ignore an air bag warning light on their dashboard, The Associated Press reports.

This GM SUV recall affects the following vehicles:

• Buick Enclaves and GMC Acadias from model years 2008 to 2013;
• Chevrolet Traverses from model years 2009 to 2013; and
• Saturn Outlooks from model years 2008 to 2010.

GM says it has received no reports of injuries related to any of the recalls, but that contradicts publicly available complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If people have in fact suffered injuries from the air bag defect, they could likely be successful in a lawsuit against the car manufacturer for injuries caused by the defect.

Honda Minivan Recall

Honda's recall includes nearly 900,000 Odyssey minivans from model years 2005 to 2010 that could catch fire. More specifically, the affected vehicles have a fuel-pump part that could crack and cause a fuel leak, increasing the risk of fire, Reuters reports.

Thus far, there have been no reported injuries from the Honda minivans under recall. Car owners who haven't sustained an injury are still entitled to recall remedies.

Honda has three options for correcting the defect: repair, replacement, or refund. The company has opted to replace the fuel-pump part. However, because of the sheer number of vehicles involved -- 886,815 Odyssey vans, to be exact -- the replacement parts won't be ready until summer. Meantime, the company will provide "interim" parts to customers, who will be notified beginning in April.

Car owners who have a problem with a recall repair may want to contact an experienced motor vehicle defects attorney to explore possible legal options.

Related Resources:

• GM recalls 1.5M vehicles for air bag, fire risks; $300M charge expected (Detroit Free Press)
• Get Legal Help with a Car or Vehicle Defect or Recall (FindLaw)
• GM Recall Expands to 1.6M Vehicles; 13 Deaths Reported (FindLaw's Common Law)
• GM Recalls 780K Cars After 6 Deaths (FindLaw's Injured)