I-Team uncovers auto recall pile-up

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Auto manufacturers and local dealers are scrambling to keep with a record breaking number of recalls. The ABC7 I-Team is investigating a recall pile-up that could affect you.

Consumer Investigative Reporter Jason Knowles spoke with customers who have been waiting weeks or even months for their recalled parts to be replaced. A new report suggests it's because there are simply too many auto recalls to keep up with. The I-Team found some drivers on that dreadful waiting list for help.

"I've had rear brake issues, brake issues, electrical issues on my car, it is a complete nightmare," said Anthony Sgarlata.

Sgarlata calls his 2010 Chevy Colbalt a "lemon." He showed the I-Team stacks of repair documents since he bought it new, four years ago. It's been in the shop about 30 times. Some of the problems are official recalls. He says GM even extended his warranty and paid for all of the repairs. Now, the deadly, nationwide GM ignition recall is affecting him in west suburban Bartlett.

"And now I have to wait 5-6 weeks for a potentially horrible safety recall is kind of bad," said Sgarlata.

Sgarlata says a GM specialist and dealership managers told him he couldn't get a rental car as he waited weeks for parts to come in. Instead, he was told about GM's extensive testing showing it was safe to drive his car, using only the ignition key- with nothing on the key ring. A GM corporate spokesperson admitted, however, that all consumers in this situation should be offered the option of a rental car.

"Their customer service is horrible. They say they will call you in a day, it takes 3 months and you have to call 5-6 times," said Sgarlata.

Oak Lawn resident Andrew Stameson took a smartphone video of his GM Chevy Cruze, recalled for a drive shaft and sitting in a dealership lot.

"Right now my car has been at the dealership since April 15. The dealership has been great, but GM is not making the part available," said Stameson.

Stameson was given a rental car, which also was recalled, so he got a second rental car.

"I want to drive the car I pay for," said Stameson.

A GM spokesperson didn't want to talk on camera, but told the I-Team that GM is diligently working to get parts for both consumers.

As for that ignition recall, the spokesperson says: "Parts availability is improving rapidly, and we remain on track to have enough... to repair the majority of the recalled vehicles in the October time frame." They've also recently installed a third production line.

"When you have a particular player in the market place that is facing a large number or recalls, you have a recall ripple effect," said Mike Rozembajgier, vice president, Stericycle.

Rozembajgier works for Stericycle, a company headquartered in Lake Forest that helps manage recalls.

Stericycle's recent study, using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, shows that auto-related recalls are soaring. There have been 13 million recalls involving a combination of vehicles, tires and other auto-related parts already in the first quarter of this year, versus 4.5 million during the same time period last year.

"So this increase and the pace and the scope and scale and speed at which the recalls are happening puts extra stress on the supply chain," said Rozembajgier.

In the case of Sgarlata's Cobalt, days after the I-Team called GM, the ignition parts were made available at his dealership.

"It feels great knowing my car is actually going to the shop getting the ignition fixed hopefully with the right parts and everything," said Sgarlata.

As for our other caller, his car was also repaired days after the I-Team made calls. But experts also estimate that one-third of recall notices are ignored by consumers. If you're wondering if your car is affected by a recall that you may have missed, you can ask your mechanics to run your VIN number during normal maintenance.

You can call your vehicle's manufacturer or run your VIN numbers on http://www.safercar.gov/.

Many of the newer recalls are being blamed on more complex technology in vehicles.