Check a VIN

1998-2001 Buick Skylark, Chevrolet Cavalier and others recall: switch

General Motors Corp. reported this safety recall on January 27, 2004. It covers about 1,415,231 vehicles.

vehicles affected
1,415,231
reported
Jan 27, 2004
owners notified
Mar 1, 2004
related complaints
374

Electrical system: ignition: switch

What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles. If the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the "start" position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch, and sometimes produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts.
Risk
If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed. The fire could spread to the interior of the car, which could injure occupants or cause damage to adjoining structures.
Remedy
Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch, and check that your car will start with a properly charged battery and, if necessary, replace the ignition switch. Owner notification will begin on march 1, 2004. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668, buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537. Customers can also check their vehicle online by going to www.mygmlink.com and entering the vehicle's identification number.

Recall number 04V036000

Affected vehicles

Owner complaints about the same problem

Owners of these vehicles have filed 374 complaints about electrical problems.

1998 Buick Skylark1998 Chevrolet Cavalier1999 Chevrolet Cavalier2000 Chevrolet Cavalier2001 Chevrolet Cavalier1998 Oldsmobile Achieva1998 Pontiac Grand Am1998 Pontiac Sunfire1999 Pontiac Sunfire2000 Pontiac Sunfire2001 Pontiac Sunfire

Questions about recall 04V036000

Is there a recall on the 1998-2001 Buick Skylark, Chevrolet Cavalier and others switch?

Yes. Recall 04V036000, reported on January 27, 2004, covers about 1,415,231 vehicles.

What is the fix for recall 04V036000?

Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch, and check that your car will start with a properly charged battery and, if necessary, replace the ignition switch. Owner notification will begin on march 1, 2004. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668, buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537. Customers can also check their vehicle online by going to www.mygmlink.com and entering the vehicle's identification number.

Is the recall repair free?

Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers. A dealer can confirm with the VIN whether a specific vehicle is included and whether the repair has already been done.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Buick Skylark?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history