Recall Alert: 52,937 GM Compact Cars

GM has issued a recall for 52,937 vehicles, including the 2006-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2007 Pontiac G5 and 2006-2007 Saturn Ion, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall is for vehicles sold or currently registered in Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada and Texas and is due to a plastic supply or return port on the modular reservoir assembly that could crack. If either of these components cracks then fuel will leak, which could cause a fire if it ignites. The fuel leak may be visible depending on the size of the crack.

Dealers will replace the fuel pump module for free. Even if you do not own a vehicle sold or registered in the aforementioned states, check with your dealer all the same. Some vehicles from the same timeframe in other states may be eligible for special warranty coverage.

Owners may contact Chevrolet at 800-630-2438, Saturn at 800-972-8876 and Pontiac at 800-620-7668 or NHTSA’s hotline at 888-327-4236.

2007|Chevrolet|Cobalt

2007|Pontiac|G5

2010|Saturn|Ion

GM 72-Hour Sale: 0% for 72 Months

Maybe GM’s math skills got them into the trouble they’re in. Their just announced 72-hour sale starts today and runs through July 6, which is 144 hours by our count. Maybe they wanted to tie the sale name in with the sale terms, namely 0% financing for 72 months on select models for those buyers who qualify.

Included 2009 and 2010 models in the 0% for 72-months term are: Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra regular, extended and crew cab light-duty pickups; Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL SUVs; Chevrolet Impala; and the Pontiac Vibe, G3, G5, G6 and G8.

Other models have separate incentives you can find here.

What the End of Pontiac Means To You

Today GM announced it would stop producing new Pontiac models by the end of 2010. This is the end of an era for the once-proud performance brand, but it also leaves a lot of questions for car shoppers and Pontiac owners.

We talked to Jim Hopson, Pontiac’s manager of communications, this morning to clarify GM’s statement. He said that Pontiac will continue to operate normally even with today’s announcement. All warranty work will be completed as usual; any new Pontiacs sold will have the same full warranty they did last week, one which has the backing of the U.S. government. The government's backing is to help ensure consumers that its safe to still purchase new GM cars while the company seeks to restructure. Only cars purchased through May get the government-backed warranty.

GM will continue to make parts for Pontiac models indefinitely and most Pontiac dealers also sell the Buick and GMC brands and will continue to operate. The automaker still produces replacement parts for the defunct Oldsmobile, which GM shuttered in 2004.

What Hopson couldn’t say was when certain models would be phased out.

The current Pontiac lineup reads as follows, including how many days of inventory was sitting on lots as of April 1.

• Pontiac G3: 617 days of inventory
• Pontiac G5: 443 days of inventory
• Pontiac G6: 83 days of inventory
• Pontiac G8: 92 days of inventory
• Pontiac Solstice: 276 days of inventory
• Pontiac Vibe: 149 days of inventory
• Pontiac Torrent: 99 days of inventory

The national average for all brands is 83 days of inventory.

We detail specific information on Pontiac models below.

Recall Alert: 276,729 GM Vehicles From 2009 Model Year

GM has issued a wide-ranging recall for several brands and models from the 2009 model year, all affected by a potential malfunction in the transmission shift cable, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Affected models include the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Cobalt, Chevrolet HHR, Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, Pontiac G5, Pontiac G6, Saturn Aura and Saturn Outlook.

The problem has to do with a clip to the transmission cable, which may not lock into place. Therefore, the lever on the transmission may seem like it’s in the proper position when in Park, but the car might still roll away.

Dealerships will inspect the cable and replace the clip if necessary, free of charge. Owners can contact Buick at 866-608-8080, Chevrolet at 800-630-2438, GMC at 866-996-9463, Pontiac at 800-620-7668 and Saturn at 800-972-8876. They can also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.

Cars.com Compares Affordable Compacts

For the recession-minded car buyer, Cars.com has assembled a large team of reviewers to take a look at top compact cars. Mike Hanley, Kelsey Mays, David Thomas and Joe Wiesenfelder compare and contrast the 2009 Honda Civic EX-L, 2009 Pontiac G5 XFE and 2009 Toyota Corolla XLE. Which vehicle comes out ahead in gas mileage, comfort and safety? Which earns the editors’ pick as best compact car? Follow the link to find out.

Cars.comparison: Thrifty Compacts (Cars.com)