GM recalls electric SUVs with faulty pedestrian warning systems

GM recalls electric SUVs with faulty pedestrian warning systems 

January 2, 2025 Bojan Popic ,

Warren, MI  – January 2, 2024 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) is recalling 7,606 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV SUVs that may fail to warn pedestrians of their approach. This ups the chances of a crash and injury. 

Recall summary  

The affected car is equipped with an audio system, which makes a sound to warn nearby pedestrians of its presence. Due to a software error, this safety system may fail to “produce sound at a sufficient volume.”

Recall risks

The pedestrian may not hear an approaching vehicle – or assess whether it is slowing down or accelerating – and come out in front of it. This augments the risk of an accident.

Other Chevrolet recalls

Last month, GM expanded an existing recall of Silverado and Sierra pickup trucks whose tailgates could open while driving, as reported. 

In February 2024, Buick Verano and Chevrolet Cruze sedans were recalled over roof-rail airbag inflators that could rupture upon deployment, also as reported.

The repair

Dealers will upgrade the vehicle software free of charge. 

The owners should receive letters with more information by January 27, 2025. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

Nearly 8,000 electric SUVs are affected by this Chevrolet pedestrian warning recall. To do a Chevrolet recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicGM recalls electric SUVs with faulty pedestrian warning systems 
GM expands Silverado, Sierra tailgate recall

GM expands Silverado, Sierra tailgate recall

December 18, 2024 Bojan Popic , ,

Warren, MI – December 18, 2024 – General Motors (NYSE:GM), which owns the Chevrolet and GMC brands, is recalling 132,037 pickup trucks whose tailgates may open on their own. This could result in the cargo falling out, upping the risk of a crash and injury. 

This is an expansion of a previous recall from February 2024.

The following trucks are affected: 

  • 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500
  • 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD 3500
  • 2024 GMC Sierra HD 2500
  • 2024 GMC Sierra HD 2500

Recall summary  

The affected vehicles’ tailgate may inadvertently open while the vehicle is in Park. This happens because of an electric short in the release switch caused by moisture intrusion. 

Recall risks

The cargo may fall out of the truck’s bed and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash and injury.  

Safety tips

Drivers are advised to check if the tailgate is open before driving off.

Previous GM tailgate recall

GM recalled over 570,000 2020-2024 Silverado and Sierra trucks over this issue in February 2024. The present recall comes on the back of the manufacturer receiving complaints about the same defect in vehicles that were not included in the first round of repairs.

Other Chevrolet recalls

In July 2024, GM recalled brand-new Corvettes whose seat belts could have jammed, as reported. 

In January 2024, the manufacturer recalled Chevy Bolt vehicles due to the risk of fire, also as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the tailgate release switch free of charge. 

The owners should receive letters with more information by January 13, 2025. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This GM tailgate recall affects more than 132,000 pickup trucks. To do a Chevrolet recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool. You can do the same for a GMC recall check. 

Bojan PopicGM expands Silverado, Sierra tailgate recall
GM recalls brand new Corvettes whose seat belts may jam

GM recalls brand new Corvettes whose seat belts may jam 

July 1, 2024 Bojan Popic ,

Warren, MI – July 1, 2024 – General Motors (NYSE:GM), which owns the Chevrolet brand, is recalling 13,464 2024-2025 Chevrolet Corvette sports cars whose occupants may be unable to use seat belts. 

This defect ups the chances of an injury in an accident.    

Recall summary

Because of a supplier error, drivers and passengers may be unable to pull out the seat belt webbing out of its retractor.

Recall risks

The occupants may choose to drive without seat belts, which augments the risk of injury in a crash.  

Safety tips

Drivers may be able to request courtesy transportation. Please contact GM for more details.

Other Chevrolet recalls

In February 2024, GM recalled over 20,000 Chevrolet and Buick sedans whose airbags could rupture during deployment, as reported.

Later that month, GM recalled over 300,000 Chevrolet pickup trucks whose tailgates could open while driving. 

The repair

Dealers will replace the seat belt retractors free of charge. The parts are currently not available.

The owners should receive notifications on July 22, 2024. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 13,000 Corvette sports cars are affected by this Corvette seat belt recall. To do a Chevrolet recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicGM recalls brand new Corvettes whose seat belts may jam 
GM issues recall for pickups over faulty tailgates

GM issues recall for pickups over faulty tailgates

February 23, 2024 Joseph Estabillo , ,

Warren, MI – February 23, 2024 – General Motors (NYSE:GM), which owns the Chevrolet brand, is recalling 570,434 pickups because their tailgates may open while the vehicles are in motion.

The recall comes on the back of multiple complaints and an injury and covers the following models:

  • 2020 – 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  • 2020 – 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  • 2020 – 2024 Chevrolet Sierra 2500
  • 2020 – 2024 Chevrolet Sierra 3500

Recall summary

In the affected models, water may find its way into these the gate-release tailgate switch, causing a short circuit. 

This may result in the tailgate opening while the vehicle is in Park. If the driver does not latch it before driving off, “cargo in the bed of the truck may exit the vehicle and become a road hazard.”

Recall risks

All risks caused by a defective tailgate lock are explained in this article about a similar Ford recall. 

Background of the recall

The recall comes on the heels of 136 complaints. One minor injury and “three complaints of minor property damage” were identified as well.

Other Chevrolet recalls

In December 2023, GM recalled Chevrolet and Buick cars because the digital instrument cluster would suddenly switch off, leaving drivers without important information while operating the vehicle.  

Last month, GM recalled Bolt electric vehicles over a risk of fire following a crash, as reported.

The repair

Dealers will replace the affected part with one that has improved protection against water. The repairs will be free of charge, and GM will reimburse owners who paid for their own repairs prior to the issuance of the recall.

Owners will receive letters with more information by March 18, 2024. 

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 570,000 vehicles are affected by this Chevrolet tailgate recall. To do a Chevrolet recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Joseph EstabilloGM issues recall for pickups over faulty tailgates
GM issues another recall for exploding airbag inflators

GM issues another recall for exploding airbag inflators 

February 5, 2024 Joseph Estabillo ,

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.

Joseph EstabilloGM issues another recall for exploding airbag inflators 
GM issues second recall for Bolt EVs over risk of fire following crash

GM issues second recall for Bolt EVs over risk of fire following crash

January 19, 2024 Bojan Popic ,

Warren, MI – January 19, 2024 – General Motors (NYSE:GM), which owns the Chevrolet brand, is recalling  6,614 2017-2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV cars that may catch fire after a crash. This defect greatly augments the risk of injury for everyone involved.

These cars were already recalled over the same issue in December 2022, but the repair was not performed correctly. 

Recall summary  

The seat belt pretensioner is a pyrotechnic device that “uses an explosive charge to lock the seat belt in place” following a crash.

In the affected vehicles, the pretensioner deployment may set fire to the cars’ upholstery.

Recall risks

A fire inside the vehicle occurring right after a crash greatly increases the risk of an injury. 

Background of the recall

In December 2022, the manufacturer conducted a large-scale recall for these vehicles during which dealerships were supposed to add a piece of “metal foil at the carpet near the pretensioner exhaust.” However, on 66 of the affected cars the repair was done incorrectly, necessitating a re-do.

Other Chevrolet recalls

Last month, General Motors recalled Buicks and Chevrolets whose instrument clusters would switch off, as reported. 

On a separate note, the U.S. government’s auto safety regulator is currently investigating 2016-2019 Chevrolet Volt cars over complaints about sudden loss of motive power. 

The repair

Dealers will install a protective metal foil and matching pretensioner covers free of charge. 

Owners should receive letters with more information on January 29, 2024.  

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

This Chevrolet Bolt seat belt recall affects more than 6,500 electric cars. To do a Chevrolet recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicGM issues second recall for Bolt EVs over risk of fire following crash
US government investigates GM over stalling Volt hybrids

US government investigates GM over stalling Volt hybrids

January 8, 2024 Bojan Popic ,

Washington, D.C. – January 8, 2024 – The U.S. government’s auto safety regulator is investigating General Motors (NYSE:GM) over allegations that their hybrid sedans may stall while driving. This alleged defect augments the risk of a crash and injury. 

If the investigation leads to a recall, it could affect an estimated 73,000 of 2016 – 2019 Chevrolet Volt hybrid cars.  

Investigation summary  

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened an investigation on November 11, 2023, following 61 complaints of hybrids losing power while driving or failing to start at all. The cars also were also prone to entering the “limp-home” mode or even losing power steering.

Based on the initial findings, this may be caused by a failure of a computer called the Battery Energy Control Module (BECM). The BECM manages how much electricity is stored in batteries and delivered to the electric motor drivetrain to propel the car forward.

GM previously addressed the issue by instructing dealers to “replace and reprogram” the BECM in 2018 and then again in 2022. It is not clear how many of the affected vehicles have already received the replacements.

Risks

Maneuvering a vehicle that is losing power or stalls can be difficult, especially if it happens in dense, fast-moving traffic. Such situations can lead to a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Warning signs

Based on complaints, “little to no warning” preceded the loss of motive power.  In some cases, though the check the engine or “propulsion power is reduced” warnings would appear on the dashboard prior to the loss of power or failure to start.

Some drivers were unable to switch to the gas mode to resolve the issue.

Other Chevrolet recalls

In December, General Motors recalled Chevrolet Trax and Buick vehicles because their instrument clusters would switch off while driving. 

In January, several GM models, including Chevrolet Silverado and Suburban, were subject of a large-scale recall caused by blinding headlights. 

Is your vehicle part of a recall?

This investigation may eventually lead to a General Motors power loss recall, potentially affecting more than 70,000 hybrids. To do a GM or Chevrolet recall check and see if your car might be a part of it, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicUS government investigates GM over stalling Volt hybrids
GM recalls Chevys and Buicks over blank instrument clusters

GM recalls Chevys and Buicks over blank instrument clusters 

December 12, 2023 Bojan Popic , ,

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.

Bojan PopicGM recalls Chevys and Buicks over blank instrument clusters 
General Motors recalls HD pickups over fire risk, advises owners to park away from structures

General Motors recalls HD pickups over fire risk, advises owners to park away from structures

April 30, 2023 Bojan Popic ,

Warren, MI  – April 30, 2023 – General Motors (NYSE:GM), which owns the Chevrolet brand, is recalling 40,428 heavy-duty pickup trucks. The brake system in these vehicles may short-circuit and catch fire. This increases the risk of a crash, injury and property damage.

 The recall comes on the back of at least one fire. The following trucks are affected: 

  • 2019 – 2023 Chevrolet 4500HD
  • 2019 – 2023 Chevrolet 5500HD
  • 2019 – 2023 Chevrolet 6500HD

Recall summary  

The brake pedal in a vehicle is connected to a brake booster, which multiplies brake power. Affected trucks also have a brake pressure switch, which detects when the brake is applied and activates the brake lights. 

Due to a design flaw, the seal between the brake booster and the said switch may deteriorate and develop a leak. This allows brake fluid into the switch, causing it to overheat because of an electrical short. 

The component behind the recall is the brake master cylinder pressure sensor with part number 19407495.  

Recall risks

Short-circuited brake pressure switch may cause an under-the-hood fire, which can spread to the rest of the vehicle. All risks associated with a fire are described in this recall. 

Warning signs

An issue with the  brake pressure switch may cause a “Service Brake System” warning to appear. 

Safety tips

If your Chevy truck catches fire while driving, pull over immediately and, together with all occupants, leave the vehicle as quickly and safely as possible. Move away from the vehicle but be careful not to get hit by other cars.   

Because the vehicle may catch fire even when the engine is off,  you should park it in the open and away from other cars and structures until the repair is done. 

Other Chevrolet recalls

In January 2023, General Motors recalled a large batch of their vehicles, including Silverado trucks, over blinding headlights. 

This was not the only recent light-related recall, as some of their SUVs had defective GM daytime running lights and were recalled over that issue in November 2022.

The repair

Dealers will replace the brake pressure switch with an upgraded one, which is not prone to leakage. In addition, they will check the connecting harness for damage and replace it if necessary. The repairs will be free of charge. 

Owners should be notified starting May 29, 2023.

Is your vehicle a part of this recall?

More than 40,000 trucks are affected by this General Motors recall. To do a GM recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicGeneral Motors recalls HD pickups over fire risk, advises owners to park away from structures
GM recalls cars because of blinding headlights

GM recalls cars because of blinding headlights

January 1, 2023 Bojan Popic , , , ,

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.

Bojan PopicGM recalls cars because of blinding headlights
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