Toyota recalls Corollas, GM recalls Vibes for engine stall risk

General Motors and Toyota have recalled 1.29 million Pontiac Vibes, and Corolla and Corolla Matrix models because of an engine control module that could crack and cause a stall or shut-off even when the car is being driven, said the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

The recall impacts 2005-08 model years, which means 984,894 Toyota Corollas, 143,765 Corolla Matrix cars and 161,754 Pontiac Vibes sold in the United States, according to a letter from Toyota to the NHTSA dated Aug. 26.

Cars equipped with a 1ZZ-FE engine and two-wheel drive use the same engine control module that may have been improperly made and could crack at solder points on its circuit board. Once cracked, the cars' engine warning light could come on, there may be harsh shifting, the engine may not even start or it could stall, creating a crash risk, the federal GM recall announcement said.