GM recalls 1.2 million vehicles

[Elie]

For power steering issues. Don't have the link, just watched it on the news.

[Dr Mordrid]

Electric power steering motors (EPS or EPAS) in 2005-2010 Cobalt & 2007-2010 Pontiac G5 and the 2005-2006 Pursuit's sold in Canada & Mexico.

These motors are made by JTEKT Corp, a unit of.....drumroll....Toyoda Machine Works which itself is a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Group.

If they fail you still have steering, but with increased effort at <15 mph. If a failure occurs you should get a warning bell and a light on the dash, but never say always.

These are high-powered motors, often 80 amp/1kW in 12 volt cars. Makers started using them in small cars 10-12 years ago to ease passing the EPA mileage standards, starting with Honda and BMW.

Here's GM's steering column as used on the Cobalt

[KRSESQ]

These motors are made by JTEKT Corp, a unit of.....drumroll....Toyoda Machine Works which itself is a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Group.

Color me surprised. There are so many foreign-made parts in "American" cars these days that the phrase "Buy American" has lost all meaning.

Kevin