DETROIT -
General Motors said Thursday that it is conducting a recall of more than 14,000 Cadillac DTS and Buick Lucerne vehicles to fix a power-steering issue.
The affected vehicles are all from the 2010 and 2011 model years, and all of the Lucerne vehicles included in the recall are V8 models.
In total, 14,245 units have been recalled. Dealers are not selling the remainder of these models left in their inventories until the repairs are conducted.
The automaker explained that there is either a starter or alternator cable in the impacted vehicles that touches the power steering return line and this can prove to be problematic.
“Such contact could cause the cable to wear through the power steering line causing a power steering fluid leak and a loss of power steering,” GM said in a statement. “Contact also may wear away the cable protective wrap, conduit and wire insulation, so there is metal-to-metal contact, which could result in battery drain.”
The automaker went on to note that should the exposed battery cable and power-steering line become disconnected, it may possibly result in enough sparks to melt a hole in the power-steering line.
“If the power steering fluid contacts hot metal parts of the engine, there could be a fire,” officials indicated.
GM dealers will conduct harness routing inspections and fix if necessary, so that the power steering line is not touched. If repairs are necessary, they will be done at no charge to the vehicle owner, according to GM.
The automaker said that it knows of four fires stemming from this issue. However, GM said it is unaware of any injuries.  
GM is notifying customers via letters that are to be sent out Nov. 19.