NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
87 reports13,700 miles · Oct 17, 2015
Air BagsSteeringCrashInjury
NOV 2014 I GOT A SAFETY STEERING ISSUE WITH IS CALL TOOK IT TO THE DEAL ACTION CHEVY 2 TIMES THEY DID NOTHING ABOUT LETTER # 14232 ON 6/21/2015 I HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS STEERING SAFET ISSUE THAT GM/CHEVY DID NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THEY DID NOT DO A RECALL BECAUSE IT WOULD COST MILLONS OF DOLLARS I GOT BLAMED FOR TH…
Read full complaint
NOV 2014 I GOT A SAFETY STEERING ISSUE WITH IS CALL TOOK IT TO THE DEAL ACTION CHEVY 2 TIMES THEY DID NOTHING ABOUT LETTER # 14232 ON 6/21/2015 I HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS STEERING SAFET ISSUE THAT GM/CHEVY DID NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THEY DID NOT DO A RECALL BECAUSE IT WOULD COST MILLONS OF DOLLARS I GOT BLAMED FOR THE ACCIDENT THAT WAS BECAUSE OF GM/CHEVY ALL GM/CHEVY DID WAS OPEN A CASE # 8-1613872160 ON 10/9/15 AND GM/CHEVY DID NOTHING
NHTSA ODI #10783087
19,200 miles · Oct 13, 2015
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
WHILE DRIVING INTO CHICAGO ON A BUSY INTERSTATE HWY A WARNING DISPLAYED ON THE DASH "SERVICE GENERATOR CONTROL MODULE," BEFORE I COULD REACH A SERVICE CENTER THE VOLTAGE BEGAN TO DROP AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FAILED (LIGHTS, STEERING & BRAKE ASSIST, ETC. THE ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY STOPPED. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO …
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING INTO CHICAGO ON A BUSY INTERSTATE HWY A WARNING DISPLAYED ON THE DASH "SERVICE GENERATOR CONTROL MODULE," BEFORE I COULD REACH A SERVICE CENTER THE VOLTAGE BEGAN TO DROP AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FAILED (LIGHTS, STEERING & BRAKE ASSIST, ETC. THE ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY STOPPED. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SHOULDER. THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DEAD, NO ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WORKED, E.G. EMERGENCY FLASHERS, COULDN'T REMOVE IGNITION KEY. AFTER WAITING 4 HOURS FOR TOW TRUCK, TOWED TO ROGERS CHEVROLET IN CHICAGO. VEHICLE SAT ON THE LOT TWO DAYS, THEN SERVICE TECH SAID VEHICLE STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY WITH NO FAULT INDICATIONS. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO OPERATE NORMALLY. DEALER ADVISES TO BRING VEHICLE BACK WHEN IT FAILS. CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE SAYS PERHAPS THE COMPUTER INITIATED A FALSE ERROR REPORT AND THEN SHUTS DOWN THE GCM CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STOP AND THAT'S WHY MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THE GCM PROBLEM. IT WOULD APPEAR FURTHER INVESTIGATION IS WARRANTED. FORTUNATELY NO PERSONAL INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED, BUT MY DOG LEAPED FROM THE STRANDED VEHICLE INTO TRAFFIC RESULTING ON OVER $6,600 IN MEDICAL EXPENSE SO FAR. I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE DEATH/INJURY THRESHOLD IS UNTIL GM WILL REPAIR THEIR OWN FAULTY VEHICLES.
NHTSA ODI #10781632
39,000 miles · Aug 17, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ON STAR SYSTEM INTERFERED WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT SOMEONE TAMPERED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE A…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ON STAR SYSTEM INTERFERED WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT SOMEONE TAMPERED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
NHTSA ODI #10749159
57,000 miles · Aug 13, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering
WHILE DRIVING AND SIGNALING TO CHANGE LANE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE RADIO TURNED OFF. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AFTER SPEAKING WITH CHEVY. THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATED THE ISSUE. IT HAPPENED A FEW MORE TIMES THEN AUG 8, 2015 I WAS ABLE TO RECORD A 2 MINUTE VIDEO OF THE ISSUE. IT IS UPLOADED ON YOU TUBE, HTTPS://WWW.YOUT…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING AND SIGNALING TO CHANGE LANE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE RADIO TURNED OFF. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AFTER SPEAKING WITH CHEVY. THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATED THE ISSUE. IT HAPPENED A FEW MORE TIMES THEN AUG 8, 2015 I WAS ABLE TO RECORD A 2 MINUTE VIDEO OF THE ISSUE. IT IS UPLOADED ON YOU TUBE, HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=T44SLFCG434 I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER 8/11/2015. ON 8/13/2015 NICHOLAS FROM GLOBAL AUTO (908) 757-4000 CALLED SAYING THAT THIS IS HAPPENING BECAUSE OF A FAULTY ALTERNATOR. I FIND THIS HIGHLY SUSPECT BECAUSE OF THE FOLLOWING. AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE VIDEO, THE RADIO CUTS OUT, THE STEERING CUTS OUT BUT THE AIR CONDITIONER STAYS ON. IF THE ALTERNATOR IS GOING BAD YOU WOULD SEE AN ACROSS THE BOARD LOSS OF POWER NOT JUST CERTAIN SYSTEMS. I WILL BE TAKING THE CAR TO AUTOZONE THIS WEEKEND TO HAVE THE ALTERNATOR INSTALLED. DUE TO THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING LOSS OF STEERING ON CHEVY MALIBU'S I HAVE ZERO FAITH IN THIS RESOLVING THE ISSUE. FURTHERMORE IF IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR IT WOULD NOT PICK AND CHOOSE WHEN TO QUIT AND IT WOULD NOT ONLY QUIT WHEN MAKING A RIGHT HAD TURN.
NHTSA ODI #10748441
Mileage unknown · May 6, 2015
Service Brakes
FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS, THE BRAKES ON THE CAR DO NOT RELEASE. THIS ISSUE STARTED DURING A SNOW STORM IN THE WINTER BUT HAS CONTINUED. IT IS NOT ALL THE TIME, BUT SEEMINGLY EVERY EVENING AFTER WORK THAT THE BRAKES ARE LOCKED UP. MORNINGS ARE USUALLY FINE. THE PEDAL STAYS DEPRESSED, WHICH I DIDN'T REALIZE FOR A FEW WEEKS, LEADING…
Read full complaint
FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS, THE BRAKES ON THE CAR DO NOT RELEASE. THIS ISSUE STARTED DURING A SNOW STORM IN THE WINTER BUT HAS CONTINUED. IT IS NOT ALL THE TIME, BUT SEEMINGLY EVERY EVENING AFTER WORK THAT THE BRAKES ARE LOCKED UP. MORNINGS ARE USUALLY FINE. THE PEDAL STAYS DEPRESSED, WHICH I DIDN'T REALIZE FOR A FEW WEEKS, LEADING TO CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING, SLUGGISH MPG RATES, EXTRA WEAR ON THE BRAKE PADS, ENGINE STRAIN, LOWER SPEEDS THAN EXPECTED, NO COASTING, DIFFICULT ACCELERATIONS, AND TAIL LIGHTS STAYING ON AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE PEDAL CAN BE RELEASED MANUALLY BY KICKING IT UP WITH YOUR FOOT, BUT THIS IS REALLY TIRESOME IN TRAFFIC AND LONG COMMUTES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10714928
14,878 miles · Mar 24, 2015
Electrical SystemVisibility
GOT IN CAR & PUSHED THE PASSENGER WINDOW BUTTON DRIVER SIDE, WINDOW DID NOT GO DOWN, REACHED OVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE & DID NOT GO DOWN. WENT TO DEALER & TRIED TO GET A REP TO COME TO THE CAR BEFORE I SHUT IT OFF BUT COULDN'T SO I TURNED OFF CAR & GOT A REP, WHEN WE GOT TO THE CAR AND TURNED IT ON THE WINDOW WORKED. THEY SAID …
Read full complaint
GOT IN CAR & PUSHED THE PASSENGER WINDOW BUTTON DRIVER SIDE, WINDOW DID NOT GO DOWN, REACHED OVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE & DID NOT GO DOWN. WENT TO DEALER & TRIED TO GET A REP TO COME TO THE CAR BEFORE I SHUT IT OFF BUT COULDN'T SO I TURNED OFF CAR & GOT A REP, WHEN WE GOT TO THE CAR AND TURNED IT ON THE WINDOW WORKED. THEY SAID BRING IT BACK WHEN IT'S NOT WORKING. I LEFT, GOT TO WHERE I WAS GOING, IT WOULD NOT ROLL UP. IT HAPPENED PERIODICALLY OVER TIME. FINALLY I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO SERVICE & A REP WITNESSED THE WINDOW NOT WORKING. THEY FOUND A SHORT IN THE WINDOW SWITCH & REPLACED THE SWITCH W/2025110 .2 DIAG. WHATEVER THAT IS. IT IS STILL NOT WORKING RIGHT, TO THIS DAY. ON 2/14/15 I CALLED WALDORF SERVICE ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE WINDOW, VOLTAGE FLUCTUATING FROM 11.43 TO 14.45, THE BATTERY CHARGE INDICATOR IS LOW MOST OF THE TIME & MY CAR WAS MAKING SICK AIRPLANE NOISES. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE BUSY & THAT I WOULD GET A CALL BACK. HOWEVER THEY DID NOT, SO I TOOK THE CAR TO CHEVY ON 2/23/15 AND REPEATED THE ABOVE ISSUES AND HAD AN ADDED ISSUE CAR RADIO STAYED ON WHILE THE KEY WAS OUT OF THE IGNITION, BOTH CAR DOORS WERE OPEN. I HAVE A VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT. THEY ASKED ME TO LEAVE THE CAR SO I DID. I WAS TOLD THAT THE FLUCTUATING WAS NORMAL & THAT HYBRID/ECO VEHICLES MAKE THAT NOISE. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK ON 3/20/15, THE NOISE WAS UNBEARABLE. I WAS TOLD I HAD TO WAIT ABOUT 15 MINUTES, I SAID I WILL WAIT. I WENT BACK TO MY CAR AND TURNED IT ON, NOT 3 MINS LATER A REP CAME OUT & SAID I HEAR IT, IT IS LOUD, SOMETHING IS WRONG. I FOUND OUT ON 3/22 THAT IT IS THE HYBRID MOTOR. WAS PROMISED IT BACK 3/24, THEY STILL HAVE IT. THEY WAITED UNTIL MY WARRANTY EXPIRED. ITS COVERED BUT NOT THE RENTAL CAR. I HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL BUT POSSIBLY 3 DAYS. I STILL HAVE TO FIGHT FOR REPAIRS TO MY PASSENGER WINDOW. I THINK I HAVE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10701426
20,000 miles · Jan 5, 2015
Equipment
PURCHASED THE CAR IN AUGUST 2013 (NEW), FACTORY INSTALLED STEREO WORKED FINE AT TIME OF PURCHASE. IN SEPTEMBER 2014 STEREO WOULD NOT READ MUSIC OFF PHONE WHEN PLUGGING IN THROUGH USB PORT IN VEHICLE, WHICH IS A FEATURE OF THE STEREO THAT IS SUPPOSED TO WORK. IT WORKED UP UNTIL THAT POINT, BUT THEN STOPPED AND STARTED GIVING ME…
Read full complaint
PURCHASED THE CAR IN AUGUST 2013 (NEW), FACTORY INSTALLED STEREO WORKED FINE AT TIME OF PURCHASE. IN SEPTEMBER 2014 STEREO WOULD NOT READ MUSIC OFF PHONE WHEN PLUGGING IN THROUGH USB PORT IN VEHICLE, WHICH IS A FEATURE OF THE STEREO THAT IS SUPPOSED TO WORK. IT WORKED UP UNTIL THAT POINT, BUT THEN STOPPED AND STARTED GIVING MESSAGES INDICATING "FILES UNFOUNDED". I HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR THIS ISSUE TO BE FIXED WITH NO SUCCESS. THE DEALERSHIP IS AT A LOSS AS TO A FIX FOR THIS ISSUE. THE STEREO SYSTEM WHICH IS CALLED "MYLINK" WILL NOT READ MUSIC FROM THE PHONE AS IT SHOULD. THE PHONE BEING USED IS AN APPLE PRODUCT. UPON DOING RESEARCH ONLINE I'VE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH APPLE PRODUCTS AND GM'S "MYLINK" STEREO SYSTEM. OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS SAME PROBLEM TO DEALERSHIPS AND GM DIRECTLY WITH NO SUCCESS IN GETTING THE PROBLEM SUCCESSFULLY RESOLVED. HERE IS A LINK HTTP://GMAUTHORITY.COM/BLOG/TOPIC/MYLINK-STOPPED-RECOGNIZING-IPOD-CLASSIC/ TO AN ONLINE FORUM WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM I'M EXPERIENCING AND WHO HAVE ALL CONTACTED GM WITH NO SUCCESS IN GETTING THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. I AM AT A LOSS AND HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO GET MY STEREO FIXED THAT IS A GM FACTORY INSTALLED STEREO. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY FOR ANOTHER 6K MILES AND I WOULD LIKE FOR THE PROBLEM TO BE RESOLVED, HOWEVER GM SEEMS TO NOT BE OFFERING ANY RESOLUTIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10670151
54,000 miles · Jan 5, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND NOTICED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE REAR TRUNK AREA NEAR THE ECO BATTERY. THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO CLEA…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CHEVROLET MALIBU ECO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND NOTICED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE REAR TRUNK AREA NEAR THE ECO BATTERY. THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO CLEARED THE CODE, BUT DID NOT PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DIAGNOSIS FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE ODOR COULD STILL BE DETECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V173000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
NHTSA ODI #10670062
100 miles · Oct 28, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
THE FUEL MILEAGE IS VERY INCONSISTENT. IT CAN RANGE FROM AN AVERAGE OF 20 TO 28 AND HAS BEEN AS LOW AS 18 AND AS HIGH AS 29. BEFORE YOU DISMISS THIS COMPLAINT AS DRIVING CONDITIONS OR ROUT-THIS CAR TRAVELS THE SAME 8 MILE ROUT 4 DAYS A WEEK TO WORK AND NOT MUCH MORE THAN THAT IN AN AVERAGE MONTH. IT HAS BEEN ON HIGHWAY TRIPS AND…
Read full complaint
THE FUEL MILEAGE IS VERY INCONSISTENT. IT CAN RANGE FROM AN AVERAGE OF 20 TO 28 AND HAS BEEN AS LOW AS 18 AND AS HIGH AS 29. BEFORE YOU DISMISS THIS COMPLAINT AS DRIVING CONDITIONS OR ROUT-THIS CAR TRAVELS THE SAME 8 MILE ROUT 4 DAYS A WEEK TO WORK AND NOT MUCH MORE THAN THAT IN AN AVERAGE MONTH. IT HAS BEEN ON HIGHWAY TRIPS AND NOT GOTTEN OVER 29 MPG. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS DUEL TO THE FUEL MIXTURE THAT I WAS PURCHASING. I HAVE TRIED EVERY BRAND OF GAS IN THE TOWN I LIVE IN AND IT DOES NOT HAVE A NOTICEABLE EFFECT ON THIS PROBLEM. DOES NOT ACHIEVE THE ADVERTISED MILEAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10650604
11,000 miles · Oct 28, 2014
Power Train
DRIVING UP HILL HAVING TO DECELERATE, THERE IS A HARD JERK AS IF THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED-THIS IS DANGEROUS DUE TO HUMAN REACTION TO ALSO QUICKLY TO APPLY THE BRAKES. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND THE FIRST TIME I THOUGHT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD STRUCK SOMETHING OR HAD A MAJOR MALFUNCTION. IT ONLY LAST FOR A SECOND OF TIME. THE DE…
Read full complaint
DRIVING UP HILL HAVING TO DECELERATE, THERE IS A HARD JERK AS IF THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED-THIS IS DANGEROUS DUE TO HUMAN REACTION TO ALSO QUICKLY TO APPLY THE BRAKES. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND THE FIRST TIME I THOUGHT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD STRUCK SOMETHING OR HAD A MAJOR MALFUNCTION. IT ONLY LAST FOR A SECOND OF TIME. THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS JUST CHARACTERISTICS OF A 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION. THIS IS MY THIRD GM WITH A 6 SPEED AND THE OTHERS DID NOT DO THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10650597
NHTSA investigations
2AQ14001 · Sands Chevrolet/hybrid System Fire/stall
Opened May 2, 2014 · Closed May 22, 2016
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
NHTSA opened AQ14-001 to determine whether Sands Chevrolet of Surprise, Arizona complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and non-compliances with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and, in turn, that a dealer not sell and deliver a new vehicle subject to a recall unless the recall remedy has been performed (49 U.S.C. ?? 30112(a), 30120(i)).NHTSA issued an information request (IR) letter to Sands Chevrolet on May 5, 2014.Sands Chevrolet responded to this request on May 22, 2014.To ensure NHTSA?s information request encompassed all possible reference codes for General Motors recall 13V-173, NHTSA issued another IR letter to Sands Chevrolet on June 8, 2015.Again, a response letter was received on June 9, 2015.NHTSA?s investigation indicated that Sands Chevrolet did sell and deliver recalled vehicles that did not have the recall remedy completed at the time the vehicles were delivered to the customers.NHTSA therefore concluded that Sands Chevrolet was liable for civil penalties for violations of the Safety Act, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. ? 30165.Under a Settlement Agreement dated March 24, 2016, Sands Chevrolet represented that it improved its processes to verify that it checks every vehicle for recalls prior to delivery to the purchaser and that it has not sold and delivered any unremedied new motor vehicles since June 9, 2015.Sands Chevrolet also represented that it now also checks for open recalls on every customer vehicle brought in for service, and that it checks for open recalls on every used trade-in vehicle, regardless of make or model, and takes steps to have all used trade-in vehicles repaired prior to retail sale. Sands Chevrolet admitted to violating the law and must pay civil penalties in the amount of $40,000.This Audit Query is closed.
RQ13003 · Generator Control Module Fires
Opened Jul 5, 2013 · Closed Jul 22, 2014
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery
On July 5, 2013 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ13-003 to investigate whether the service procedures utilized in recall bulletins 13136 and 13142 for safety recall 13V-173 were sufficient to identify the safety defect in the subject vehicles.These safety recalls were issue on May 3, 2013 to address the improper function of the Generator Control Module (GCM) in certain model year (MY) 2012-13 Buick LaCrosse and Regal and MY 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco equipped with eAssist.This condition may result in a loss of battery charge, engine stall and/or inability for the vehicle to start.In severe cases it may also lead to odor, smoke and possibly a fire in the trunk.During discussions with General Motors (GM), ODI was informed that the subject vehicles could be separated into 4 distinct build populations, or groups. Group A contained vehicles built from the start of production through 3/19/2012.Group B involved vehicles built from 3/20/2012 to 8/20/2012, group C from 8/21/2012 to 12/31/12, and group D from 1/1/2013 onwards.Bulletin 13136 instructed dealers to inspect and, if necessary, replace the GCM for vehicles in groups A or C.Bulletin 13142 instructed dealers to replace the GCM of any vehicle in group B.Group D vehicles were not recalled.All eAssist vehicles have a Powerpack which contains a BAS (belt alternator-starter) Power Inverter Module (BPIM)/Accessory Power Module (APM) and a 115-V Lithium-Ion battery.The Powerpack is known by GM's Part Description System as the GCM and Battery Module. The BPIM/APM contains 3 multi-layered printed circuit boards (PCBs) comprised of conductive layers separated by isolating layers.Vehicles built within the time periods of groups A and B had PCBs using single isolation layers.Vehicles build in group C had dual isolation layers on 1 of the 3 PCBs, and group D had all 3 PCBs built with dual insulation.Adding dual insulation to a PCB makes it more robust to material and manufacturing variations, and ultimately less susceptible to an electrical short circuit and subsequent failure.Through initial analysis of the GCM failures, GM identified that vehicles within group B contained PCBs that were contaminated during production due to increased production volumes that resulted in inadequate quality control.GM also noted that GCM failures occurred early in the life of the vehicle (typically <1000 miles).Therefore a service procedure was developed to replicate early life failures by subjecting the GCM to high current loads which would cause the identified failure mechanism (copper migration) to occur quickly and reveal any underlying PCB defect.Although groups A and C were built with PCBs containing single layer PCBs, they were built using better quality control, and as the data supports, experienced significantly lower failures.GM advised that for these reasons the two different service procedures were used in the Recall 13V-173 population.In response to ODI's Information Request (IR) GM submitted 234 unique reports related to the alleged problem. It was noted that 197 (84%) of the received reports fell into the group B population.The 2 fire incidents noted were events in which flames were evident and/or damage was experienced outside of the GCM. Both of these incidents involved group B vehicles. One hundred four warranty claims were also submitted in response to the IR, with 96 claims (92%) from group B.It was also noted that none of the claims from groups A or C occurred after the service procedure was conducted, and that the majority of the A or C incidents occurred during the service procedure.Given the data, ODI believes the ser