Recall Alert: 193,000 GM SUVs

GM is voluntarily recalling 193,000 SUVs due to an electrical problem that could cause power windows and door locks to malfunction and possibly cause a fire, the Detroit News reported. Affected vehicles include model-year 2006-07 Chevrolet Trailblazers, GMC Envoys, Buick Rainiers, Saab 9-7x's and Isuzu Ascenders, as well as model-year 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXTs and GMC Envoy XLs.

This latest recall is an expansion of an action that started last August and now includes 443,000 SUVs in the U.S. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating the issue in February 2012 and has received 83 complaints, with 66 alleging that the door module had melted or burned, the Detroit News stated.

In the recalled vehicles, fluid may enter the driver's door, resulting in rust that could cause the circuit board to short. The problem could cause the power door-lock and window switches to function intermittently or become inoperable; it could also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke or fire, the newspaper reported.

2013 Buick Encore: Family Checklist

The all-new 2013 Buick Encore is small. It's really small, and it's a challenge for almost any family to embrace it. Buick's three-row Enclave is for larger families, but I was interested to see whether the Encore, a subcompact crossover, could handle my family of four's daily life despite its size.

The Encore surprised me at first and seemed to tolerate family activity fairly well as long as rear-facing child-safety seats weren't part of the equation.

Chevy, Buick, GMC Add Two Years of Free Service on New Cars

Car shoppers just received added incentive to consider a new GM vehicle. The company announced this morning it will add two years of complimentary service to most new 2014 models from Chevrolet, Buick and GMC. Cadillac already has such a program in place.

Chevrolet becomes only the second full-line brand that offers such a plan, joining Toyota. That company added a new-car maintenance program after it was set back by the unintended acceleration recalls of 2010. Volkswagen also offers a three-year/36,000-mile maintenance program that includes four scheduled services. Nearly every premium and luxury brand offers some form of complimentary maintenance plan.

The new GM plan covers "an oil and filter change, four-wheel tire rotation and a 27-point vehicle inspection based on what's called for in the vehicle owner's manual maintenance schedule and oil life monitoring system," according to the automaker's press release.

Depending on the vehicle this plan could cover very few visits. In the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic's owner's manual, there are only two such services called for at 12,000 and 24,000 miles. An oil change is not necessarily included if the oil levels and quality is deemed acceptable by the dealer.

Owners must have the vehicles serviced at a dealer, and some cars, including performance and alternative-fuel models, will have a different plan.

"Some alternative-fuel vehicles do not include oil changes, and some performance vehicles do not include tire rotations when that service is not recommended. The program covers up to four service visits in the 24-month period, and is fully transferrable to subsequent owners. Customers who have already purchased or leased a 2014 model year vehicle will receive the scheduled maintenance program."

GM has a similar program for certified pre-owned vehicles that debuted in 2011. The automaker and others such as Dodge have also offered free-maintenance programs as incentives that were available for only a short time.

GM hopes this move will add value to its new car lineup, which has undergone a significant overhaul since its 2009 bankruptcy. Would a free maintenance plan like this influence your car shopping? Tell us in the comment section below.

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GM Expands Remote-Start App to 2014 Lineup

Vehicles with remote start are becoming more common; GM just announced it's making the feature standard across its lineup.

Through the OnStar RemoteLink Mobile App, owners of OnStar-equipped 2014 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles will be able to remotely unlock their doors and activate the horn, lights and remote start functionality on factory-equipped vehicles.

The free smartphone app is available to customers even if they haven't activated their OnStar system. After the customer takes delivery of the vehicle, they can download the app; GM says the service is free for five years from the delivery date.

The automaker debuted its RemoteLink Mobile App for the Chevy Volt in 2010, with other vehicles following. GM says it's been downloaded more than 1.5 million times and has more than 320,000 regular users.

"We know our customers value remote services. GM owners request remote door unlock assistance through OnStar more than 60,000 times each month, so it makes sense for us to offer RemoteLink Key Fob Services to enable customers to lock, unlock or start their vehicle from anywhere they have a wireless or cellular connection," Mary Chan, president GM Global Connected Consumer, said in a statement.

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2013 Buick Encore: Mother-in-Law Mobile

One unofficial role of a car reviewer is to be the go-to person for car-shopping family members. My mother-in-law has been in the market for a while and has a specific list of likes and must-haves, along with an equally daunting set of dislikes and don't-needs. It's been tough to find the right fit — until the Buick Encore went on sale.

On her must-have list are a tall ride height, city-driving maneuverability, a compliant ride and comforts such as navigation and a heated steering wheel. She doesn't want the extra cargo and passenger space of a crossover but also doesn't want to sit low, like in a sedan. After researching several crossovers and sedans, the Encore looks like a winner in a lot of ways.

Cars.com Reviews the 2013 Buick Enclave

The Enclave's combination of good looks outside and roomy comfort inside won over Cars.com reviewer Joe Bruzek. Buick's three-row crossover was redesigned for 2013 with flashier exterior styling and upgraded cabin materials. While it's not the most luxurious crossover in the class, Bruzek says the Enclave offers a winning blend of premium features and family-friendly comfort.

2013 Buick Enclave Review

2013 Buick Enclave Video

If you covet both the family friendliness of a minivan and the luxury of an SUV, Cars.com reviewer Joe Bruzek says the closest you'll come in a crossover may be the 2013 Buick Enclave. Redesigned for the first time since its brand-jump-starting intro in 2007, the new Enclave boasts updated front-end styling and upgraded interior materials, as well as improved ride and acceleration thanks to suspension and transmission tweaks. Still, stiff brakes make quick stops a chore and a cocoa-colored interior undermines the luxury feel of the classy stitching and ambient blue lighting. Watch the video above.

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Recall Alert: 38,197 Chevrolet, Buick Hybrids

GM is recalling 38,197 model-year 2012-13 Chevrolet and Buick eAssist light hybrid cars due to a problem with circuit boards in the trunk that could cause a fire, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Affected vehicles include Chevrolet Malibu Eco, Buick LaCrosse and Buick Regal sedans. Circuit boards in the trunk could overheat, causing the cars' 12-volt battery to drain and one of several indicator lights to turn on. If owners ignore the warning lights, the engine could stall and a fire could occur in the trunk, the newspaper reported. The issue is not related to the lithium-ion battery that is part of the eAssist hybrid system.

Owners will be notified "soon," according to the newspaper, though no specific time frame was given. Owners of Malibu Ecos, Buick LaCrosses and Buick Regals who notice any kind of warning light are encouraged to take their car to a dealer immediately. For more info, owners can call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 or go to www.safercar.gov.

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2013 Buick Enclave: Car Seat Check

Buick's three-row crossover, the Enclave, has been updated with exterior styling tweaks and interior updates for 2013. The Enclave comes standard with seating for seven, but the second row's captain's chairs can be replaced with an optional three-seat bench, increasing capacity to eight passengers. For our Car Seat Check, we had a seven-seat Enclave.

For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat.

2013 Buick Encore: Photo Gallery

With its new Encore, Buick is going where very few automakers have tread before: the luxury subcompact crossover class. Outside, the baby Enclave mimics its larger sibling with a version of Buick's familiar waterfall grille and sweeping, blue-accented headlamps. Inside, a handsome, high-quality cabin delivers the Enclave's level of luxury — but on a much smaller scale.

Click here for our full review and check out the gallery below. Cars.com photos by Evan Sears.