General Motors vehicles recalled for potential fuel leaks

December 9, 2020 Ken Boyd , , , ,

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.

Ken BoydGeneral Motors vehicles recalled for potential fuel leaks
General Motors ordered to recall 5.9 million cars equipped with Takata airbags

General Motors ordered to recall 5.9 million cars equipped with Takata airbags

December 3, 2020 Rebecca Rand , , , ,

Pleasanton, CA – December, 3 2020 – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has ordered General Motors (NYSE:GM) to recall 5,888,421 pickup trucks and SUVs built with potentially dangerous Takata airbag inflators, which could explode and fling deadly shrapnel into vehicle occupants. The infamous airbag inflators have already killed 27 people and injured at least 250 more, and are part of the largest auto recall in history. The latest installment of the recall – which already encompasses 19 car manufacturers and “tens of millions” of cars – includes the following GM models on the GMT900 platform: 

  • 2007-2014 Cadillac Escalade ESV and EXT SUVs
  • 2007-2014 Chevrolet Avalanche pickups
  • 2007-2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2500/3500 pickups
  • 2007-2014 Chevrolet Suburban SUVs
  • 2007-2014 Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs
  • 2007-2014 GMC Sierra 1500 and 2500/3500 pickups
  • 2007-2014 GMC Yukon XL SUVs

Recall summary

The recall concerns the vehicles’ passenger-side airbag inflators. The inflators use ammonium nitrate to generate a small explosion to inflate the airbags. If this volatile chemical is exposed to heat and humidity, it becomes porous. The extra surface area in this microscopic swiss-cheese allows the ammonium nitrate to burn faster, thus causing a much stronger explosion than intended. This explosion can blow up the inflator and send bits of shrapnel flying into vehicle occupants at high speeds, potentially maiming or killing them.

NHTSA first ordered GM to recall the affected cars in 2016. The company had recalled 330,198 vehicles on the GMT900 platform in May 2015, but argued that the rest of vehicles that are now being recalled should be excluded because the airbag defect was “inconsequential.” This argument was rejected by NHTSA on November 23. Despite disagreeing with the decision,  GM said it would not appeal.

‘Almost no data’ to back up claims

NHTSA consulted air-bag chemical expert Harold Blomquist regarding these findings, who rebutted GM’s many claims that unique design features could prevent their inflators from exploding. “GM expended little effort over the last two years to methodically study the claimed features in order to substantiate their effectiveness,” he said in his 75-page review of GM’s petition. As a result, Blomquist said, GM had “almost no data” to back up their claims that their Takata airbags were somehow less dangerous.

Previous Takata airbag recalls

Automakers have been issuing ever-expanding recalls of Takata airbags for seven years, with 100 million inflators recalled worldwide. Volkswagen, BMW and Honda all recalled cars this and past year because of the airbag issue.

Repair

GM will replace the Takata airbags with a different model, free of charge. More information about the recall schedule should be released by December 24. 

What to do if you own a recalled vehicle

NHTSA has issued a few broad recommendations for drivers in the Takata recall population:

  1. Don’t have your dealer disable your airbags. “It is much more likely that your airbag will perform properly and protect you in a crash than cause harm,” NHTSA says.
  2. “If you feel uncomfortable continuing to drive your vehicle before it is repaired, you should contact your dealer to see if they will provide a loaner until the repair is completed,” NHTSA says. Dealers and manufacturers aren’t required to provide loaners, but it can’t hurt to ask. 
  3. If you’re offered an interim repair, take it. Some automakers will offer to replace the old Takatas with newer ones, which are safer. “It is an inconvenience to have your vehicle serviced twice and to wait for a final repair,” NHTSA says, “But rejecting an interim replacement air bag is not worth the continued higher risk of injury or even death to you, your family, and your friends while waiting for the final repair.”

Some automakers have advised riders not to sit in the front passenger seat. 

Here is the list of vehicles that NHTSA says should NOT be driven.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 6 million vehicles are included in this GM Takata Airbag recall. Use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool to see if your vehicle is affected. 

Rebecca RandGeneral Motors ordered to recall 5.9 million cars equipped with Takata airbags
General Motors issues another round of recalls for brake assist system

General Motors issues another round of recalls for brake assist system

November 25, 2020 Ken Boyd , , ,

Pleasanton, CA – November 25, 2020 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has recalled 14,620 vehicles that operate with either 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engines. In each case, the power of the mechanical vacuum pump  – which helps the engine with several key functions, including braking – may decrease. This may negatively affect the brake assist system. The recall includes:

  • 2018  Cadillac Escalade sedans
  • 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 trucks
  • 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs
  • 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 trucks
  • 2018 GMC Yukon SUVs

Recall summary  

Among other functions, the mechanical vacuum pump provides power to the brake assist system. Due to a design error that was not addressed during a previous recall of the vacuum pump in the power assist brakes last year, essentially “the output” of the pump can drop over time, making the power brake assist system less effective.

There are several factors that alert the driver to the brake assist issue:

  • The brake pedal may vibrate when the driver applies the brakes
  • Braking requires more effort
  • A ticking sound is emitted from the engine compartment when the brakes are applied
  • The driver may see a “Service Brake” message pop up on the dash

Risks 

If the brake assist is not operating correctly, the driver must press on the brake pedal with more effort and depress it further to be able to stop the vehicle.

This change in braking ability increases the risk of a crash. Drivers may not be able to brake quickly enough to slow or stop the vehicle. GM notes that the problem is more apparent at low speeds when a driver applies soft pressure to the brakes.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers will need to inspect the Electronic Brake Control Module and reprogram the system. The recall is free of charge and began on November 16.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 14,000 vehicles are included in this General Motors recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle recall lookup tool.

Ken BoydGeneral Motors issues another round of recalls for brake assist system
General Motors recalls SUVs for blocked fuel pump nozzle

General Motors recalls SUVs for blocked fuel pump nozzle

November 16, 2020 Rebecca Rand , , , ,

Laguna Hills, CA – November 16, 2020 – General Motors (GM) (NYSE: GM) has recalled 2,781 midsize SUVs which may have a blocked fuel pump nozzle that could stall the vehicle. The recall includes:

  • 2020 Buick Enclave
  • 2020 Cadillac XT5 and Cadillac XT6
  • 2020 Chevrolet Traverse
  • 2020 GMC Acadia

and concerns the fuel tank pump module (MODULE – F/TNK F/PMP, #84702674).

Recall summary  

The issue stems from the fuel pump, which supplies the vehicle’s engine with the gasoline it needs to run. A tube inside the fuel pump may be blocked by burrs left over from the manufacturing process. This could keep fuel from getting to the engine, particularly if the gas tank is already running low. If the engine is starved of fuel, the car could unexpectedly stall while driving.

Risks

A car that stalls in moving traffic, especially at high speeds, can get hit from behind as other drivers may not have enough time to react. Even if the driver safely gets to the shoulder, they are still at risk of being hit. This raises the risk of injuries or death for everyone involved.

For information on what to do if your car stalls, please see this article.

The repair

Owners will be notified about the recall by mail starting on November 30. GM will replace the fuel pump module for free, but this service is not yet available. In the meantime, owners who are not comfortable driving their recalled car may be eligible for courtesy transportation through their vehicle’s warranty.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 2,700 vehicles are part of this GM recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandGeneral Motors recalls SUVs for blocked fuel pump nozzle
Isuzu and Chevrolet trucks recalled for starter motor cable issue

Isuzu and Chevrolet trucks recalled for starter motor cable issue

October 29, 2020 Ken Boyd ,

Pleasanton, CA – September 11 2020 –Isuzu Motors Ltd. (NASDAQ:ISUZY) has recalled 4,352 Isuzu and Chevrolet trucks that were manufactured by a joint venture between the two manufacturers.

A cable that connects the starter motor to the vehicle’s frame may break, making it impossible to start the engine. The cable issue also creates a risk of fire. The recall includes:

  • 2018-2021 Isuzu FTR medium-duty trucks
  • 2018-2021 Chevrolet 6500XD commercial trucks

Recall summary  

When the driver starts the vehicle, an electrical current flows through the cable to the starter motor. Here are the problems generated by a broken cable:

  • If the cable is broken, the electrical current moves through the power steering hose. 
  • When a driver attempts to start the truck repeatedly, the heat from the electrical current may melt and rupture the power steering hose.
  • The ruptured hose may leak power steering fluid onto a hot engine or exhaust surface, creating the risk of a fire. Drivers have reported seeing smoke coming from the engine compartment.

Risks 

A fire in the engine compartment can injure the vehicle occupants. Additionally, if the driver loses control of the vehicle due to a fire, other vehicles, pedestrians, and property may be at risk.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimated over 171,000 engine fires annually from 2014 to 2016. 

What to do in the event of a fire?

If you try to start the truck and your vehicle catches fire:

  • Remove the key from the ignition.
  • Get all of the occupants away from the vehicle.
  • Call 911.

The repair

To fix the issue, dealers need to replace the ground cable on affected Isuzu FTR and Chevrolet 6500XD vehicles, and inspect the power steering hose. If the hose is damaged, it will also be replaced. All repairs will be free of charge. The recall  is set to begin on October 16th.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 4,300 vehicles are included in this Isuzu and Chevrolet truck recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle identification number(VIN) look up tool.

Ken BoydIsuzu and Chevrolet trucks recalled for starter motor cable issue
General Motors recalls vehicles for contaminated brake booster

General Motors recalls vehicles for contaminated brake booster

October 27, 2020 Rebecca Rand , ,

Pleasanton, CA – Sept 24, 2020 – General Motors (GM) (NYSE: GM) has recalled 6 different vehicle models which may have a contaminated component in the braking system. This contamination could disrupt sensor communications to the brake booster, making it harder to stop the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash. The recall includes:

  • 2020-2021 Buick Encore GX subcompact SUVs
  • 2020 Cadillac CT4 and CT5 luxury sedans
  • 2020 Cadillac XT4 compact SUVs
  • 2020 Chevrolet Corvettes
  • 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer crossovers

Recall summary  

The recall concerns the brake-by-wire system, which uses an electronic brake booster to help stop the car quickly without depending on how hard the driver presses the brake pedal. 

In June, GM launched an investigation after receiving multiple complaints about the strength of the brakes. They discovered that, due to a factory cleaning issue, the connector between the rotor position sensor and the electronic brake control module had been contaminated.

This contamination can disrupt communication between the two parts and disable the electronic brake booster.

Safety tips

Drivers with a failing brake booster may notice that their brakes are difficult to press. They may also notice an increase in the car’s stopping distance. 

Own one of these affected vehicles? It may be wise to keep an eye on the instrument panel, which will display a warning message if the brake booster fails. If this happens, keep the increased stopping distance in mind as you drive.

The repair

Dealers will replace the vehicles electronic brake control module for free. However, this repair is not yet available, as GM is still working on sourcing enough replacement brake boost modules. The company will notify owners when the repair becomes available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 3,000 vehicles are part of this GM recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandGeneral Motors recalls vehicles for contaminated brake booster
Chevrolet Corvette Vehicles Recalled for Faulty Hood Latch Software

Chevrolet Corvette Vehicles Recalled for Faulty Hood Latch Software

September 28, 2020 Ken Boyd

Pleasanton, CA – August 18, 2020 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has recalled 7,071 Chevrolet Corvette vehicles whose controls fail to prevent them from developing high speeds despite an unlatched front trunk.

The trunk may then open while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall includes 2020 Chevrolet Corvette vehicles.

Recall summary  

Due to the lack of safety controls, these vehicles can develop high speeds despite having the front trunk unlatched. 

The cause is multifold. First, thanks to a design flaw, drivers can accidentally press the front trunk release button on their key fob.

Second, the cars’ internal controls fail to limit the speed  – allowing the vehicle to reach up to 82 miles-per-hour (mph) – despite detecting that the trunk is not securely closed.

Drivers will still receive audible and visual alerts telling them that the trunk is open.

What happens when the driver speeds up?

As the car reaches a higher speed, air resistance may force open the unlatched hood, blocking the driver’s front view.

Risks 

Not being able to see in front of the vehicle creates a  very high risk of a crash. The driver may not see traffic down the road and hit a vehicle from behind.

To prevent that from happening, drivers should pay attention to their warning system. When the hood is not properly latched, the driver will receive two different types of warnings.

They will first see an icon indicating an open hood on the instrument panel and hear a chime. Once the vehicle is put in drive and moves faster than 3 mph, the chime sounds repeatedly.

In spite of the warnings, the vehicle can be driven up to 82 mph with the hood unlatched. As the driver speeds up, air resistance may force open the unlatched hood.

The repair

GM’s upcoming software update will limit the affected vehicle’s speed to 26 mph when the hood is not latched.

The manufacturer is also going to re-design both the key fob and  the “door trim switch and release button” inside the hood to reduce the risk of a driver inadvertently opening the hood with the fob.

The repair is expected to begin October 3, and is free of charge. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 7,000 vehicles are included in this Chevrolet recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydChevrolet Corvette Vehicles Recalled for Faulty Hood Latch Software
Chevrolet Corvette Vehicles Recalled for Faulty Trunk Release Button

Chevrolet Corvette Vehicles Recalled for Faulty Trunk Release Button

September 21, 2020 Ken Boyd

Pleasanton, CA – August 6 2020 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has recalled 5,141 Corvette vehicles with trunk release buttons that are not working correctly.

When the vehicle is shut off for ten minutes or longer, the release button inside the front trunk compartment will not open the trunk. The recall includes:

  • 2020 Chevrolet Corvette

Recall summary  

On July 30, General Motors determined that certain Corvette models should be recalled to repair the front trunk compartment release button. The button is installed so that someone inside the front trunk can open the trunk lid. 

Risks 

If a person – especially a small child – climbs inside the trunk and shuts the lid, he or she might not be able to get out and is at risk of injury from a lack of oxygen, or extreme heat or cold while in the trunk. It’s important to monitor children who are near cars, or sitting in a parked car without a seat belt in place.

The repair

The dealer will install a software update, so that the release button works correctly. The repair should take 45 minutes, depending on the dealer’s service department schedule. Owners have been notified of the recall, which will begin on September 21. The repair is free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 5,000 vehicles are included in this Corvette recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Ken BoydChevrolet Corvette Vehicles Recalled for Faulty Trunk Release Button
Chevrolet Silverado Pickup Trucks Recalled for Faulty ABS Indicator Light

Chevrolet Silverado Pickup Trucks Recalled for Faulty ABS Indicator Light

August 13, 2020 Nate Gouldsbrough

December 9, 2021 Update – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has remedied issues with 10,137 2019-2020 Chevy Silverados dealing with ABS issues. 11 vehicles have been deemed unreachable with additional 2 vehicles being removed from the recall of the Silverado antilock braking system.

Pleasanton, CA – July 17, 2020 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has recalled 12,200 Chevy Silverado trucks that may fail to indicate to the driver that there is a problem with the car’s anti-lock braking system (ABS), increasing the risk of a crash. The recall includes:

  • 2019-2020 Chevrolet 4500HD Silverado Medium Duty trucks
  • 2019-2020 Chevrolet 5500HD Silverado Medium Duty trucks
  • 2019-2020 Chevrolet 6500HD Silverado Medium Duty trucks

It’s not the first time that a similar problem has occurred in Chevy vehicles, previously the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 had been recalled due to problems with the ABS fault indicator lights.

Recall summary  

On May 29, General Motors decided that certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Medium Duty 4500HD/5500HD/6500HD trucks do not comply with a federal regulation requiring the ABS light to illuminate during certain kinds of malfunctions.

Vehicles use several control modules to operate many aspects of the car. GM houses many of these modules together in a grouping called the Body Control Module (BCM), which coordinates many functions in the vehicle, including the speedometer, the instrumentation panel, and the chime warnings.

Another module, called the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM), reads sensors in the braking system and uses that information to activate the ABS as needed for sudden braking, stability, or traction control. These two systems need to communicate for the safety of the driver.

In the recalled vehicles, the ABS light fails to illuminate when the BCM can’t communicate with the EBCM. This means that the driver will not be notified when there is a problem with the ABS.

Other Chevy Silverado Recalls

Apart from this recall, the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado was among the cars recalled in April 2021 due to airbag failures that failed to deploy properly during car accidents.

Previously In 2020, GM had recalled more than half a million vehicles including the 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado Trucks due to seat belt issues in the front-row center seat. General Motors began the recall on February 1, 2021.

Risks 

It is important for drivers to know if there is a problem with the anti-lock brakes. Driving without the ABS, particularly in bad weather, can be dangerous because the vehicle may not handle braking on slippery surfaces the way it is supposed to.

When a vehicle skids, the tires lose traction with the ground and the driver can no longer steer, increasing the risk of a crash.

The repair

The affected Chevy Silverado trucks need a software update for the BCM. The update itself should take approximately 35 minutes, but GM advises owners in its owner notification letter that it may take longer “because of service scheduling requirements.”

The repair is available now and is free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 12,000 cars are included in this Chevy recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Nate GouldsbroughChevrolet Silverado Pickup Trucks Recalled for Faulty ABS Indicator Light
Isuzu Recalling 1,138 Vehicles Due To Seat Belt Complications

Isuzu Recalling 1,138 Vehicles Due To Seat Belt Complications

January 17, 2020 Marshall Earley ,

re: NHTSA Campaign 20V025000

Laguna Hills, California – January 23, 2020 – Isuzu is recalling certain 2019 and 2020 vehicles equipped with a dual mode belt locking mechanism that will not lock in the event of a vehicle crash.

The estimated total of affected vehicles is 1,138.

The defect

Isuzu is recalling certain Isuzu and Chevrolet vehicles equipped with a faulty seat belt webbing locking mechanism. The potential affected number of vehicles is 1,138.

Vehicles equipped with the dual mode belt locking mechanism may not properly restrain the occupant as intended in the event of a collision. So far, zero deaths have been reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Affected Vehicles Include:

  • 2020 Isuzu NPR HD, NPR XD, NQR and NRR
  • Chevrolet 4500HD, 4500XD, 5500HD and 5500XD 
  • 2019 Isuzu NPR HD GAS, NPR GAS
  • Chevrolet 4500 and Chevrolet 3500

The solution

Isuzu will notify owners by February 28, 2020 when the official recall is expected to begin. Authorized Isuzu and Chevrolet dealerships will inspect and replace the seat belt assembly, as necessary and free of charge.

To find out if your vehicle is part of this recall, visit www.motorsafety.org.

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About MotorSafety.org

MotorSafety.org is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to vehicle safety and assisting consumers with the identification and resolution of vehicle manufacturing recalls and defects. Through education, awareness, government relations, repair facility referrals and strategic partnerships, MotorSafety.org hopes to remove every unsafe vehicle from the road, facilitate its proper repair, and ensure its prompt return to the owner once the vehicle has met the required safety and performance standards. For more information about MotorSafety.org, please email support@motorsafety.org.

Marshall EarleyIsuzu Recalling 1,138 Vehicles Due To Seat Belt Complications
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