U.S. safety regulators have decided to open an investigation of some recalled General Motors sedans after a fire occurred in March to a supposedly safe vehicle.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said this week that it has opened what it has called a "recall query" to determine if GM's screening test is capable of catching an issue.
Back in May, GM recalled approximately 42,904 2012 and 2013 model Buick LaCrosse and Regal cars, and 2013 model Chevrolet Malibu Eco cars equipped with its "eAssist" hybrid system to fix circuit boards that "may overheat and lead to a loss of battery charge or, in extreme cases, a fire in the trunk" according to Reuters.
The vehicle that caught fire had gone through testing and no issues were found. The same tested used on the car that caught fire is being used on almost half the vehicles recalled.
GM supposedly fixed the vehicles but a fire broke out in one of the models shortly after being returned to its owner.
Overheating of the circuit boards in the generator control module in some of the cars could cause a number of different problems like loss of battery charge and could set of the malfunction indicator light.
NHTSA said people should not ignore the warning signs, which includes a burning or melting odor.
Approximately 22,000 of the recalled vehicles are getting new battery packs, while the rest undergo screening tests to see if its control module needs to be fixed.
GM has cooperated with the NHTSA during its investigation according to Reuters.
A GM spokesperson said he is "unaware of any injures or crashes related to the issue." He also mentioned that changes in the production process at the plant the vehicles were made did not cause issues to other models made there.
People can contact the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236.
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