GM Recalls 474,000 Sedans for Transmission Problem

General Motors is recalling nearly 474,000 Saturn, Chevrolet and Pontiac sedans in the United States, Canada and elsewhere to fix a transmission problem that could allow the cars to move when in "park," the company said Friday.

GM told the National Highway Safety Transportation Division that tabs on the transmission cable in the cars can fracture and separate.

If that happens, "the shift lever and the actual position of the transmission gear may not match. The driver would be able to move the shifter to 'park' and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not be in 'park'," GM said.

That could lead to the vehicle rolling away and crashing after the driver has exited the car, the automaker said.

The recall affects 2007-2010 Saturn Auras and 2008-2010 Chevrolet Malibus and Pontiac G6s that come with 4-speed automatic transmission.

More than 426,000 of the cars were sold in the United States. Another 40,000 are in Canada, and more than 7,000 were sold in Mexico and other countries.

GM said it will repair or replace the shift cables for free.