GM will recall 1.3M Chevrolet and Pontiac vehicles in North America to fix power-steering systems

US regulators received more than 1.1K consumer complaints about failures

GM will replace a motor in power-steering systems of Chevrolet Cobalt small cars and 3 Pontiac models

NHTSA began investigation following complaints, which included 14 crashes and 1 injury, GM said

Action follows global recall of more than 8M vehicles by Toyota

Carmakers are coming out with recalls as they want to show that they are being strict about quality, said Jeong Min Pak of Fitch Ratings

GM recall includes 2005-2010 Cobalt, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit sold in Canada, and 2005-2006 Pontiac G4 sold in Mexico

A remedy is being developed and customers will be notified when the plan is completed

The vehicles can still be steered when power-steering system fails, though it requires greater effort

Steering fault tends to occur in older vehicles for which warranties have expired, GM said

GM reported US sales of 104,724 Cobalts last year, a decline of 44% from 2008

Automaker said in January it plans to build fewer of the cars through April as it adjusts output to match demand