Almost 260,000 sport utility vehicles are being recalled by General Motors and Isuzu due to a short-circuit issue in the door lock and power-window switches that need to be fixed because it can cause a fire to break out. Thus far 28 fires have been reported to GM and the company states it is not aware of any injuries to date that have been caused by the defective product. The recall covers the GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, Isuzu Ascender, Chevrolet TrailBlazer and the Saab 91-X SUV, all in 2006 and 2007 models years.

The recall covers the United States and Canada as the SUVs were sold in 20 different states, including Pennsylvania, as well as Canada where chemicals and salt are used to clear winter roads. According to National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration documents and published reports, the chemicals can enter the inside of the driver's side door panel and cause corrosion in the circuit boards of the power-window and door switches. That corrosion can cause the circuits to short and start a fire.

If you own one of these vehicles, take it into an authorized dealer to have the power-window and door switch replaced at no charge. General Motors will replace the switches in vehicles in states not covered by the recall as well. As many people know, a vehicle is often sold used and the recall notice may not make it to the current owner of the vehicle. The Isuzu Ascender was manufactured by GM and the Saab was part of the GM lineup back when the SUVs were built.

The NHTSA first began investigating the problem back in February after it received a "dozen" complaints about fires. One of the complaints from as far back as October 2009 reported an alarm sounded when a 2006 TrailBlazer was parked in a driveway. The owner investigated and discovered her vehicle in flames. Firefighters told the owner the fire had started in the driver's side door and burned the driver's side of the vehicle, roof and part of the front passenger seat. Lucky for her she was not in the vehicle at the time.

Recalls of automobiles and other products are often instigated after an injury occurs and a product liability lawsuit is filed. Hopefully this particular recall proves to be a solely preventative measure.

Source: ABC News, "GM, Isuzu Recall 258,000 SUVs to Fix Power Windows," Tom Krisher, Aug. 18, 2012