Suzuki Swept Up In GM Daytime Running Light Recall


Though Suzuki has long since left the United States automobile market — having better luck selling Hayabusas and boat engines — its partnership with General Motors has not quite given up the ghost, thanks to a defect related to a couple of their last offerings.
Reuters reports Suzuki has recalled 184,244 2004 through 2008 Forenzas and Renos affected by a defect in the daytime running light module that could lead to overheating and fire. The defect is also at the heart of a global recall issued last week by GM of 284,000 Chevrolet Aveos/Suzuki Swift+ et al, the majority — 218,000 — in the United States.
The fix for the module is in development, and a second notification will be sent by the automaker to affected owners when the fix is ready; Suzuki still offers warranty repairs and other services related to its last U.S. automotive offerings.
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I had an automotive instructor several years ago who told us about the GM dealership he worked at getting a Yugo franchise. The owner was sure he was going to make a fortune selling them. A/C was a dealer add-on, but when they installed the first kit and turned it on, the car caught fire and burned to the ground. It seems Yugo cheaped out and used battery wiring that was insufficient to carry the additional current required to engage the compressor. He thought it was the funniest thing that a manufacturer could be so cheapskate.
What's left to recall? Aren't most of these things awaiting the crusher after years of subprime and subpar owners? The vehicles in this recall might have been the last of the truly "awful" cars you could buy new at one point.
A story so important TTAC apparently had to bring it up twice. Poor GM had to deal with the Toyota recall of defunct Pontiac when the Vibe accelerator pedals had to be modified in a 35 step process while trying to shut down the Pontiac brand...oh never mind...the whole thing is rich with irony.