General Motors Co. (GM) is recalling its 2014 Chevy Malibu mid-size sedans due to brake issues that resulted in multiple deaths.
140,067 cars are affected by the current recall.
The announcement follows the automaker's removal of 2.59 million vehicles that needed fixes for a malfunctioning ignition switch, according to Bloomberg. The handling of the recall has received heavy criticism from the U.S. government.
GM said in a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association that the 2014 Chevy Malibu sedans feature an automatic stop/start and a 2.5 -liter four-cylinder engine. The cars were manufactured between June 12, 2012 and May 2 this year, USA Today reported.
The automaker said in the letter that the potential issue was found on April 24 during testing of an unnamed vehicle that is not yet for sale. The car has a brake system similar to that of the Malibus. The company found that a brake vacuum hose could be disconnected, leading to the brakes taking more force to apply and cars requiring longer distances to stop.
GM stopped delivering Malibus to its dealers on May 7, Bloomberg reported.
The automaker said owners will receive a letter about the recall in early June.
The company added that since the Malibus are new, the brake fix will be covered under warranty, USA Today reported.
Trade publication Automotive News calculated that the Malibu recall increases GM's recalls this year to 20, which includes about 5.5 million vehicles in the U.S. Some vehicles are being recalled for multiple potential safety issues.
The automaker is currently looking for new ways to deal with vehicles experiencing issues after the problem with the ignition switch, which was connected to at least 13 deaths, Bloomberg reported. The faulty switches let keys slip out of the "on" position, resulting in the engine shutting off and the air bags being disabled.
The U.S. government is looking for reasons for GM taking over 10 years to recall the vehicles.
