Six new GM recalls of 717,950 vehicles

General Motors announced six more recalls today, totalling 717,950 newer-model U.S. vehicles for a variety of defects.

That brings the number of GM recalls this year to 60, totaling 26.41 million vehicles.

GM says it knows of three crashes and two injuries, but no deaths, linked to the new recalls.

The automaker sees the latest round of call-backs as evidence it's continuing to strictly police itself on safety issues.

"These recalls signify how we've enhanced our approach to safety," said Jeff Boyer, vice president in charge of global vehicle safety. "We are bringing greater rigor and discipline to our analysis and decision making. If we identify an issue – large or small – that might affect the safety of our customers, we will act decisively."

"It must be a little easier for the company to continue in this direction, knowing that the numerous recalls have not" hurt sales or resale and trade-in values of GM vehicles, says Eric Ibara, director of residual values for Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com.

GM and Ford Motor report second-quarter earnings early tomorrow. GM has said it will take a $1.2 billion charge to pay for second-quarter recalls. Analysts expect it to show strong results nonetheless. Wall Streeter Ryan Brinkman at JP Morgan forecasts "Suburban-size" GM profits on North American operations.

GM's list of the vehicles and the defects, from most to least:

•414,333 2011-2012 model year Chevrolet Camaro; 2010-2012 model year Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain; 2011-2012 Buick Regal and LaCrosse; and 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX models in the U.S. equipped with power height adjustable driver or front passenger seat structures.

The bolt that secures the height adjuster actuator can fall out, allowing the seat to move up and down without restraint. GM is aware of one crash and three injuries but no fatalities related to this condition.

•124,008 model year 2014 Chevrolet Caprice, 2014 Chevrolet SS, 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado standard duty and heavy duty, 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS, 2014 Cadillac CTS, 2014 Cadillac ELR; 2013-2014 Buick Encore; and 2014-2015 GMC Sierra standard and heavy duty, because some might have a defective seat weld that won't hold the seat in place properly.

Dealers will inspect the weld. If it is insufficient, dealers will replace the lower seat track at no charge. Fewer than 1% of welds are expected to require seat track replacement. GM is unaware of any crashes or injuries as a result of this issue.

•120,426 2011-2013 model year Buick Regal and 2013 model year Chevrolet Malibus equipped with front turn signals that use two bulbs in each front turn signal. If one of the two bulbs burns out in either signal, the turn-signal indicator on the instrument panel still will flash normally, giving the driver no warning of the problem.

Dealers will reprogram the body control module to fix the condition. GM knows of no crashes, injuries or complaints related to this issue.

•57,242 2014 Chevrolet Impalas equipped with belt-drive electric power steering. Paint could have seeped onto a connection, creating a poor electrical ground connection. Power assist to the steering can fail. The cars still can be steered, but require much more effort.

Dealers will inspect and clean paint from behind the ground nut, re-torque the nut and update the power steering control module software at no charge. GM is aware of one crash but no injuries or fatalities related to this condition.

•1,919 2014-2015 Chevrolet Sparks imported from Korea assembled with a lower control arm bolt not fastened to specification. The defect can result in loss of steering while driving.

Dealers will inspect the left and right hand lower control arm attaching bolts to assure they are tightened to specification. GM knows of no crashes, injuries or fatalities related to this condition.

•22 2015 model year Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon Denali vehicles in the U.S. The roof rails might have been installed with the wrong hardware, tearing or punching holes in the roof-rail safety air bags. Eight of these vehicles are in dealer stock and will be repaired before being sold.