1.5 Million Cars Recalled by GM

General Motor Corp. officials Tuesday confirmed published reports that a recall of 1.5 million 1986-87 model cars to repair faulty V6 engines has been under way for more than six weeks.

The affected cars include several compact, mid-size and large Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac models.

GM spokesman Steve Gaut said some of the cars’ 3.0- or 3.8-liter engines could stall while starting or driving at normal speeds because of improper calibration of engine control components.

The stalling cars were allegedly linked to 300 accidents and one death.

“We’re not interested in seeing every one of the vehicles in the fleet,” Gaut said. “We believe that of the 1.5 million that could exhibit the problem, only about a quarter will.”

Gaut said many of the affected car owners already have had the repairs made and, with proof, will be reimbursed for that cost.

Recall letters with apologies were sent to car owners in mid-December, but GM did not announce the recall to the media, as it often does. The recall was first publicized in Monday’s issue of Ward’s Automotive Reports. The industry newsletter did not disclose how it learned of it or how owners were being notified.

Separately, the auto maker said Tuesday that it wants to sell its profitable Allison Transmission Division as part of the auto maker’s plan to halve its size by 1995.

Allison, which contributes about 1% to GM’s annual revenue, holds 80% of the market for medium- and heavy-duty automatic transmissions for trucks, buses, military and off-highway vehicles, said Robert M. Clark, general manager.