By Andrew Thurlow, Crain News Service
WASHINGTON (March 13, 2013) — Federal safety regulators are looking at three General Motors Co. vehicles for potential brake light defects that could result in a recall of more than a million midsize vehicles.
A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) spokesman said today the recall could affect 2004-2011 Chevrolet Malibus and 2007-2009 Saturn Auras, alleging that the brake lights do not operate properly on those model years.
Also, in February, federal safety officials told Automotive News they were investigating an estimated 550,000 Pontiac G6s because of possible brake light malfunctions that could increase the chances of an accident.
NHTSA said it had received 212 consumer complaints concerning brake light problems on 2005-2009 modelG6s.
The Malibu and Aura share many parts with the G6, but it is unclear whether all three vehicles use the same brake lights or brake-light components.
"The agency is investigating 97 complaints from different Malibu and Aura owners," a NHTSA spokesman said.
According to NHTSA documents, consumers said the brake lights on the vehicles illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed or do not light up when the pedal has been depressed.
"We are continuing to cooperate with the NHTSA and will respond to the agency's questions," a GM spokesman said. "It is premature to discuss a recall."
The Associated Press reported the investigation earlier today.
This report appeared in Automotive News, a Detroit-based sister publication of Tire Business.