Image source: Flickr, Tino Rossini
These Small Bolts Could Have Killed You
Due to issues with the suspension, General Motors recalled almost six million cars in 1981. The models included the Monte Carlo, Grand Prix, Regal, Buick Century, and the Oldsmobile Cutlass. The problem started with two loose bolts that attached to the lower part of the rear control arm.
The rear control arm is affixed to the back axle and could cause drivers to crash if the control arm is defective. The company highlighted that the two bolts could rust easily.
The bolts in question were hardened more than usual, which caused a loss in corrosion resistance. General Motors fixed the problem by providing soft bolts with stronger resistance to corrosion. The good news was that the replacement of the bolt only took 25 minutes.