Buick Recalls | MotorSafety.org

GM issues another recall for exploding airbag inflators

February 5, 2024 Joseph Estabillo Buick Recalls, Chevrolet Recalls

Warren, MI – February 5, 2024 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) is recalling 20,712 sedans over roof-rail airbag inflators that may rupture upon deployment and injure the car occupants.

This is an expansion of an earlier recall issued by the automaker in September 2023.

The following vehicles are affected by this recall:

2014 Buick Verano
2014 Chevrolet Cruze

Recall summary

Also called side curtain airbags, the roof-rail airbags (RRAB) are mounted on the roof rails above the vehicle’s headliner, which is material that sticks to the car roof on the inside.

In the event of an impact on the vehicle’s roof, the airbags are triggered by inflators welded to the rails.

In the affected vehicles, a manufacturing defect could introduce contaminants to the airbag inflator chamber. This may cause the metal inflator inside the bag to explode, hurling shrapnel at the occupants or surrounding motorists.

Recall risks

The risks of exploding metal inflators were previously described in articles regarding the eerily similar Takata airbag issue.

Background of the recall

The automaker issued the first recall for this issue in September of last year. In December, it found additional vehicles that had the same defect, prompting the present recall. No injuries or ruptures have been identified in connection with the current recall.

Other General Motors recalls

In April 2023, GM recalled 40,428 pickups over a problem with the brake system design, which could lead to a higher risk of fire.

In December 2023, GM also recalled 60,154 crossover SUVs spanning the Buick and Chevrolet lines due to the digital instrument cluster switching off while the vehicles were in use.

The repair

Dealers will replace the RRAB modules in the affected units free of charge, reimbursing owners who paid for their own repairs before the recall notice was issued.

Owners will receive letters with more information by February 5, 2024.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 20,000 sedans are affected by this GM roof-rail airbag recall. To do a GM recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

GM recalls Chevys and Buicks over blank instrument clusters

Warren, MI – December 12, 2023 – General Motors (NYSE:GM), which owns the Buick and Chevrolet brands, is recalling 60,154 vehicles because their digital instrument cluster may switch off, leaving the driver without vital information. This may lead to an accident, increasing the risk of injury.

The following vehicles are affected by this recall:

2024 Buick Encore GX
2024 Buick Envista
2024 Chevrolet Trax

Recall summary

A software glitch in the affected cars may cause the dashboard to go black, depriving the driver of access to vital information, such as vehicle speed and various warnings.

The component causing this recall is the virtual cockpit unit module with part number 86519681.

Recall risks

The defect greatly ups the risk of a crash.

Other General Motors recalls

In January 2023, GM recalled nearly a quarter of a million vehicles, including Chevrolets and Buicks, over headlight issues.

On a separate note, inoperable brakes were the cause of a Buick recall that took place in July 2022.

The repair

Dealers will update the dashboard software with an updated version. The upgrade can be done at the dealership or over-the-air.

Both options are free of charge.

Owners should receive letters with more information on or before December 22, 2023.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 600,000 vehicles are affected by this GM blank display recall. To do a GM recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

GM recalls cars because of blinding headlights

January 1, 2023 Bojan Popic Buick Recalls, Cadillac Recalls, Chevrolet Recalls, GM Recalls, GMC Recalls

Warren, MI – January 1, 2023 – General Motors (NYSE:GM), which owns Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands, is recalling 740,108 cars, SUVs, and trucks, whose daytime running lights may not deactivate when the headlights are on. This may blind other motorists, increasing the chances of a crash and injury.

This recall expands a previous recall conducted for the same reason late last year.

The lengthy list of affected vehicles includes:

2021 – 2023 Buick Envision
2020 – 2023 Cadillac CT4
2020 – 2023 Cadillac CT5
2022 – 2023 Cadillac Escalade
2022 – 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2022 – 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2022 – 2023 Chevrolet Suburban
2022 – 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe
2022 – 2023 GMC Sierra 1500
2022 – 2023 GMC Yukon
2022 – 2023 GMC Yukon XL

Recall summary

Daytime running lights are a part of a headlight cluster that, as their name would suggest, increases a vehicle’s visibility during the day. These lights, however, shut off as soon as the headlights are turned off. If not, they may create a glare, which could be blinding to other motorists.

Due to a software error, the DRL lights on affected vehicles may fail to disengage once the headlights are turned on.

The component causing this recall is the body control module, with part numbers differing depending on the make and model. Some of them include 13534824, 13534861 or 13542151.

Background of the recall

The 2021 model-years of some of the cars above were recalled in November of last year due to the same issue. Before that recall was announced, GM started an investigation to determine if additional vehicles were affected. As a result of that investigation, the current recall came into life.

Recall risks

Risks caused by blinding headlights were covered in detail in the previous GM recall.

Other GM recalls

Just a month ago, GM recalled more than 300,000 SUVs over a similar issue, which was also one of the latest Chevrolet Tahoe recalls.

Back in September 2022, GM recalled nearly 100,000 compact SUVs because their rearview cameras could have failed to show an image when backing up.

The repair

Dealers will install a software update to affected vehicles. The repair is free of charge.

Vehicle owners will be notified on January 23, 2023.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This GM daytime running lights recall affects almost three-quarters of a million vehicles. To do a GM recall check and see if yours is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

General Motors’ latest recalls affect more than 1.7 million cars

December 3, 2022 Bojan Popic Buick Recalls, Chevrolet Recalls, GM Recalls, GMC Recalls

Washington, D.C. – December 3, 2022 – General Motors (NYSE: GM), which owns the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac brands, recalled over 1.7 million vehicles in nine different GM recalls in the past six months.

Some of the most prominent recalls are included below. Read on to find out if your vehicle is affected.

Daytime running lights that are always on

In late November, GM recalled a large batch of SUVs because their daytime running lights would stay on even when they should not. This may potentially blind oncoming motorists, increasing the risk of an accident. More than 300,000 vehicles were affected by this recall, including:

2021 Cadillac Escalade
2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2021 Chevrolet Suburban
2021 Cadillac Tahoe
2021 GMC Yukon
2021 GMC Yukon XL

In-your-face hoods

In September, GM recalled approximately 120,000 city cars because their hood latches may corrode. If this happens, the hood may open while driving, obstructing the driver’s field of view and increasing the risk of an injury. The following cars were affected by this recall:

2013 – 2015 Chevrolet Spark
2014 – 2015 Chevrolet Spark EV

Seat and seat belt issues

Seat belts that may detach during a crash, increasing the risk of an injury, were the cause of a GM recall that took place in August 2022. In total, almost half a million SUVs were affected by this issue, including:

2021 – 2022 Cadillac Escalade
2021 – 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2021 – 2022 Chevrolet Suburban
2021 – 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe
2021 – 2022 GMC Yukon
2021 – 2022 GMC Yukon XL

More recently, in October, approximately 7,000 cars were recalled because the driver’s seat belt potentially not being able to restrain the occupant in the event of a crash. The following models were affected by this issue:

2022 – 2023 Chevrolet Equinox
2022 GMC Terrain

Defective brake boosters

In July, there was a Buick recall for over 20,000 cars because their brake boosters could fail to engage. This would prolong the stopping distance, upping the risk of a crash.

Windscreen wipers falling apart

Back in April 2022, GM recalled a large number of their SUVs because their windshield wipers could detach, which would reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash and injury. Almost 700,000 cars were affected by this recall, including:

2014 – 2015 Chevrolet Equinox
2014 – 2015 GMC Terrain

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

At this moment, various GM engine issues and other problems had caused roughly 1.7 million of their cars to be recalled in the past six months. To do a GM recall check and see if yours is affected by any of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Buick recalls Regal vehicles over loss of brake assist

July 17, 2022 Joseph Estabillo Buick Recalls, GM Recalls

Warren, MI – July 17, 2022 – General Motors (NYSE:GM), which owns the Buick brand, has issued a recall for 23,734 Regal sedans because of a potential loss of brake assist.

The recall covers the 2018–2020 Buick Regal mid-size cars.

Recall summary

The brake assist function helps in stopping the car faster during emergency braking. This is achieved through a pump that boosts the brakes’ stopping power by removing all the air inside the booster, creating a vacuum. The pump is regulated by the electronic brake control module, or EBCM.

In the affected vehicles, a software error may lead to the EBCM failing to engage the brake booster function.

If there is no assist, the vehicle may take a longer distance to stop, depending on the force exerted by the driver on the brake pedal.

The component involved in this recall is the electronic brake control module software, with multiple part numbers including 39135331, 39187211, 39187212 and 39215669.

Recall risks

Warning signs

When the vacuum-brake assist has failed to engage, a message will appear on the dashboard. This will be accompanied by a malfunction warning light, and drivers may observe that the brake pedal becomes harder to press.

Other Buick recalls

As part of recent Buick Regal recalls, the 2010-2013 model years were among those included in a recall issued in January over suspension issues. The rear suspension toe links used in the affected vehicles could break due to the supplier’s excessive use of protective coating, which could fail to shield the part against corrosion. This could lead to the toe links wearing down and breaking, causing the rear wheels to wobble.

The repair

Dealers will reflash the EBCM software used in the affected vehicles. There will be no charge for this service. General Motors will reimburse owners who paid to have the problem fixed prior to the recall order.

Affected owners will be notified by August 15, 2022.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

More than 23,000 vehicles are included in this Buick Regal brake recall. To see if your vehicle is affected, run a Buick recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

General Motors issues third recall for Buick and Chevrolet due to suspension issues

January 15, 2022 Bojan Popic Buick Recalls, Chevrolet Recalls, GM Recalls

Warren, MI – January 15, 2022 – General Motors (NYSE:GM), that owns both Chevrolet and Buick brands, is recalling 4,271 sedans in 23 states whose rear suspensions may break, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. This is an expansion of two previous recalls conducted by the manufacturer. Vehicles that are part of this recall include:

2010 – 2013 Buick Lacrosse
2010 – 2013 Buick Regal
2013 Chevrolet Malibu

Recall summary

All recalled vehicles have an identical rear suspension assembly. A part of that assembly is a toe link, which holds the wheels straight. In affected vehicles, this component was coated with insufficient anti-corrosion protection. As a result, this link may corrode and subsequently fracture due to exposure to road salt.

This recall only affects vehicles that were sold or registered in the so-called “Salt Belt” states, which regularly use salt on the roads to de-ice them.

The component in question is the “Rear Suspension Toe Link” with part numbers 13219171 and 22924230, built by Shanghai Huizhong Automotive Manufacturing.

Recall risks

For risks of this recall, please visit this article about a previous recall for the same issue conducted in August 2020.

Background of the recall

This recall is an expansion of two previous recalls that were conducted in December 2020 and August of 2021. It is occurring because, during the course of its investigation conducted leading up to the last recall, GM discovered that the defective links were installed in a wider population of vehicles than previously thought.

Other General Motors recalls

Cadillac, Chevrolet and Yukon SUVs were subject to an October recall due to the risk of stalling while driving.

The last 2012 Buick Lacrosse recall was conducted in 2014 because of the driver seat that may unexpectedly drop, upping the risk of a crash.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will replace the suspected toe links and realign the rear suspension. Notifications about this replacement will be sent to vehicle owners on February 7, 2022. All repairs will be done free-of-charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This GM Toe Link recall is affecting more than 4,000 Chevrolet and Buick sedans. To do a GM recall check and see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

General Motors adds more cars to Chrevrolet and Buick recall

September 30, 2021 Rebecca Rand Buick Recalls, Chevrolet Recalls, GM Recalls

Warren, MI – September 30, 2021 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has recalled 32,894 cars with rear suspension toe links that may break. The issue may result in the driver losing control of the car.

This is an expansion of a previous recall for the same issue conducted in December 2020 and only includes “sold or registered” in the 23 states that use road salt in the winter, which may corrode the suspension.

The following vehicles are included:

4,473 2013 Buick Lacrosses recalled
492 2013 Buick Regals recalled
27,929 2013 Chevrolet Malibus recalled

The recall affects the “Rear Suspension Toe Link,” part numbers 13219171 and 22924230, built by Shanghai Huizhong Automotive Manufacturing.

Recall summary

The recall, like its 2020 predecessor, stems from a problem with the car’s rear toe links, a part underneath the car body that holds the rear wheels straight. The supplier applied too much protective coating to the toe links, paradoxically causing the coating to flake off. The protective coating repels debris and prevents corrosion from road salt. Without the coating, the metal toe links may wear down and snap, allowing the rear wheels to wobble left and right.

Background of the recall

The expansion is a result of an internal GM investigation conducted on the heels of a previous recall.

Recall risks

The rear suspension toe links hold the back wheels straight. A car with a broken toe link becomes difficult to control and may crash. Read more about the risks of a broken toe link in this article about a Ford toe link recall.

Other GM recalls

GM recently recalled over 7,000 vehicles – whose faulty tires may cause the drivers to lose control of the car. Over 50,000 Chevrolet Bolt cars were recently recalled for the third time since 2016 because of an increased risk of a battery fire, also as reported. There have been no meaningful Chevy Malibu recalls lately, aside from this one.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 32,000 vehicles are part of this Buick and Chevy recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

GM recalls multiple models for faulty airbag warning light

July 1, 2021 Vishal Venugopal Buick Recalls, Cadillac Recalls, Chevrolet Recalls, GM Recalls, GMC Recalls

Warren, MI – July 1, 2021 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has issued a recall for 285,622 cars and SUVs over a concern that the airbag malfunction indicator may fail to warn the driver if there is a problem with the airbag, increasing the risk of an injury in a crash. The models that are part of the recall are:

2021 Buick Envision
2021 Cadillac CT4
2021 Cadillac CT5
2021 Cadillac Escalade
2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
2021 Chevrolet Corvette
2021 Chevrolet Suburban
2021 GMC Yukon
2021 GMC Yukon XL

The affected part is the Serial Data Gateway Module (SDM) – a gateway that handles the multiple networks in a vehicle – with part number 13542878. It is not clear if the 2021 Corvette Stingray is part of this recall.

Recall summary

The root of the problem is with the GM SDM Programming; specifically, a software issue that causes the airbag sensor to inconsistently illuminate the airbag malfunction indicator light. As a result, the driver may think his or her airbag is working properly when it is not and this could result in inadequate protection in the event of a collision.

Risks

An airbag is meant to protect the occupant from an upper-body injury and frontal airbags have saved over 50,000 lives in the last 30 years. An airbag that does not deploy in the event of a crash can result in serious injury or even death.

Related complaints

In April 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an investigation over reports concerning airbag malfunctions in General Motor vehicles. Some of the models that are part of this recall were also investigated.

Of 15 complaints submitted to the NHTSA, six mentioned serious crashes where the airbags failed to deploy. Some also mentioned that the warning lights came on “every two to three minutes when driving.”

GM has not commented on whether this recall is a consequence of the investigation.

Other GM recalls

Back in December 2020, General Motors was ordered to recall 5.9 million cars with Takata airbags that may rupture when deployed.

Other Chevrolet and Buick recalls in the recent past include the January 2021 recall for mid-size sedans over a potential suspension issue.

The repair

The software issue can be resolved with an over-the-air (OTA) update at a dealership. Affected customers will be notified on July 19, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

To find out if your vehicle is a part of this GM recall, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

General Motors recalls over 33,000 cars over risk of flat tires

March 11, 2021 Rebecca Rand Buick Recalls, Cadillac Recalls, Chevrolet Recalls, GM Recalls, GMC Recalls

Warren, MI – March 11, 2021 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has recalled 33,838 vehicles whose tires may rupture out on the road. The recall includes the following models:

2020 Buick Enclave
2020 Cadillac Escalade
2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2020 Cadillac XT4
2020 Cadillac XT5
2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer
2018-2021 Chevrolet Express
2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2020 Chevrolet Suburban
2020 Chevrolet Tahoe
2020 Chevrolet Traverse
2019-2020 GMC Acadia
2018-2021 GMC Savana
2019-2020 GMC Sierra 1500
2020 GMC Yukon
2020 GMC Yukon XL

Recall summary

Before being placed in service, tires are “cured,” or given final shape, using a mold and a rubber “bladder.” The tires in question were accidentally cured for longer than necessary, making them prone to rupture and failure.

While the tires are being recalled by GM, they are part of a larger problem with Continental brand tires. This recall expands an earlier GM recall in November 2020 and includes more models that may be equipped with defective tires.

In its turn, Mercedes-Benz has also just announced that it would inspect over 2,500 cars due to the same issue. To read about warning signs that may indicate that the tires are defective, please see the recent article we wrote about that recall.

Risks

The defective tires may suddenly go flat. Additionally, the outer tread – which is the part that touches the road – could separate from the rest of the tire. Both conditions could cause the driver to lose control of the car and crash.

The repair

GM dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace vehicles’ tires for free. Notifications with more information will be sent to owners around April 12.

Recent Chevrolet recalls, GMC recalls

GM recalled nearly 6 million vehicles equipped with potentially dangerous Takata airbags in February. The airbags’ inflators may break apart after a crash and kill or injure the occupants of the car with sharp metal fragments.

The recall spanned several GM brands, including Chevrolet and GMC.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 33,000 vehicles are included in this GM recall. To see if your [type of vehicle] is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

General Motors vehicles recalled for potential fuel leaks

December 9, 2020 Ken Boyd Buick Recalls, Cadillac Recalls, Chevrolet Recalls, GM Recalls, GMC Recalls

Warren, MI– December 10, 2020 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has recalled 194,105 vehicles due to missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator end cap. The missing bolts may result in a transmission oil leak, a loss of vehicle power or an engine fire. This General Motors (GM) recall includes:

2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze sedans
2018-2019 Buick LaCrosse sedans
2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox SUVs
2018-2020 Chevrolet Traverse SUVs
2018-2020 GMC Terrain SUVs
2018 Chevrolet Malibu sedans
2019-2020 Buick Encore SUVs
2019-2020 Buick Enclave SUVs
2019-2020 Cadillac XT4 SUVs
2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer SUVs
2019-2020 GMC Acadia SUVs
2020 Cadillac XT6 sedans

Recall summary

Your vehicle’s transmission is designed to transfer engine power to the driveshaft. The start-stop accumulator shuts down the engine when it is not in use to achieve better fuel economy and cut down on emissions.

Each start-stop transmission accumulator is attached using four bolts. In the case of the recalled vehicles, due to a supplier software error, two of the required bolts are missing.

Risks

Missing bolts can create a number of issues:

Transmission oil leak: A leak may damage other engine parts, and driving the vehicle without the proper amount of oil or transmission fluid may damage the engine.
Loss of vehicle power: A loss of power may prevent the driver from accelerating into a busy road or onto a highway, increasing the risk of an accident. A power loss may also reduce the driver’s ability to speed up to avoid an accident. Finally, the vehicle may slow down on its own until it comes to a complete stop, increasing the risk of being struck by another vehicle coming up from behind.
Increased risk of fire: A fire can injure the vehicle occupants, or cause the driver to lose control and cause an accident. This article explains what you should do if you believe your vehicle is on fire.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will need to check the start-stop accumulator end cap and determine if any bolts are missing. If they are, the dealer will replace the end cap at no cost to the owner. GM expects the recall to begin on December 14, 2020.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

This GM oil leak recall includes over 194,000 vehicles. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Recall summary

Recall risks

Background of the recall

Other General Motors recalls

The repair

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Recall summary

Recall risks

Other General Motors recalls

The repair

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Recall summary

Background of the recall

Recall risks

Other GM recalls

The repair

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Daytime running lights that are always on

In-your-face hoods

Seat and seat belt issues

Defective brake boosters

Windscreen wipers falling apart

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

Recall summary

Recall risks

Warning signs

Other Buick recalls

The repair

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Recall summary

Recall risks

Background of the recall

Other General Motors recalls

The repair

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Recall summary

Background of the recall

Recall risks

Other GM recalls

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Recall summary

Risks

Related complaints

Other GM recalls

The repair

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Recall summary

Risks

The repair

Recent Chevrolet recalls, GMC recalls

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Recall summary

Risks

The repair

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

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