General Motors recalls 70,000 autos from Russia

General Motors is recalling 70,200 Chevrolet Aveo cars in Russia due to potential steering problems in extremely cold temperatures, Russian federal regulatory agency Rosstandart said Monday.

The agency said the recall concerned vehicles sold between November 2011 and last month.

Tests have shown the cars' hydraulic assisted steering system could develop cracks in temperatures below minus 40 Celsius (-40 Fahrenheit). Rosstandart said.

GM is still digesting a $900 million fine imposed last month in the United States for the recall last year of 2.6 million cars with faulty ignitions worldwide.

The problem was linked to at least 124 deaths, US officials found.

GM announced last spring a near-total pull out of Russia save for topline Chevy models, idling its factory in Saint-Petersburg after the local market collapsed as the ruble plunged in value and the economy slowed