NHTSA closes General Motors investigation over difficult steering

Washington, D.C. – June 11, 2022 – The U.S. government’s auto safety regulator has closed an investigation into General Motors (NYSE:GM) over loss of power steering assist, which could increase steering effort and result in a crash. 

The investigation covered a total of 617,166 vehicles, including the following  

  • 2010-2012 Chevrolet Equinox
  • 2010-2012 GMC Terrain

Investigation summary  

The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened an investigation back in January 2020, following complaints regarding an intermittent lack of power steering support.

However, the lengthy investigation has found out that this would only happen on rare occasions and under unique circumstances. In effect, the vehicle needs to travel in a straight line for at least half an hour, with the driver not turning the steering wheel. Even then, the power steering will regain its function after a brief moment. 

With that in mind, and the fact there were no reported accidents or injuries caused by this issue, the regulator did not identify the issue as a “safety defect” and closed the inquiry.

Risks

A malfunctioning power steering makes maneuvering more difficult, especially at lower speeds. This increases the risk of a crash and injury.  

The repair

The factory power steering gear on these vehicles suffered from poor lubrication,  which made steering more difficult. General Motors previously addressed this issue in November 2014, as a part of its Special Coverage repair.  During it, dealers have replaced the power steering hardware on affected vehicles with updated components and reprogrammed the “steering gear control module.”

The remedy “appears to be sufficient” to resolve the safety issue, according to NHTSA.

Other General Motors recalls 

In April, the manufacturer recalled GMC Terrain and Chevrolet Equinox cars because of defective windshield wipers, as reported.

There was a GM SUV recall in August of last year because of the loss of power steering assist, as reported.

Could your vehicle be a part of a recall?

This investigation is closed, without any further action being required. However, if GM steering issues led to a recall, it would have affected more than 600,000 vehicles.

Your vehicle could still be part of a different recall. To do a Chevrolet or GMC recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Bojan PopicNHTSA closes General Motors investigation over difficult steering

General Motors recalls vehicles with defective windshield wipers

Warren, MI – April 5, 2022 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) is recalling 681,509 vehicles with defective windshield wipers. This increases the risk of a crash.

The recall includes the following SUVs:

  • 2014 – 2015 Chevrolet Equinox
  • 2014 – 2015 GMC Terrain

Recall summary

The operation of the wipers is controlled by the windshield wipers’ module. In this recall, the ball joints – which are important for the movement of the various parts – in the module may rust and separate from their sockets due to what appears to be faulty design.

This means that when the windshield wipers may fail to perform obstructing the driver’s view.

Recall risks

The defect increases the risk of a crash or injury to the driver, passengers and other motorists.

Other recent GM recalls

Last month, there was a GMC Terrain recall that involved the 2010-2017 model-years due to blinding headlights, as reported.

In September 2021, there was a Chevrolet Equinox recall due to the risk of loss of vehicle control because of faulty tires. The recall also included GMC Terrain SUVs, as reported.

In August 2021, there was a Chevrolet recall. The recall – that encompassed Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles – was necessitated by faulty airbags whose inflators may rupture at any point even when there is no crash.

Repair

To resolve the issue, dealers will replace the front windshield wiper module free of charge. Owners who have already paid for the repairs out of pocket will be reimbursed. Letters with more information will be sent to the drivers starting May 2, 2022. 

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 680,000 Chevrolet and GMC vehicles are included in this recall. To do a GM recall check, please, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Senamile NkosiGeneral Motors recalls vehicles with defective windshield wipers

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

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.

Bojan PopicGeneral Motors issues third recall for Buick and Chevrolet due to suspension issues

General Motors recalls new SUVs over stalling issue

Warren, MI – October 17, 2021 –General Motors (NYSE:GM) has recalled 14,901 SUVs that may stall due to a fuel pump issue. Stalling on the road can result in a crash, increasing the risk of injury for the occupants of the car and their fellow motorists. The recall includes the following models:

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

The faulty component that caused this recall is the “Fuel Pump Power Control Module,” part #13537053. 

Recall summary  

The recalled Cadillac Escalade, Chevy Suburban, Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon SUVs contain a faulty fuel pump power control module. The module is a small computer that delivers power to run the car’s fuel pump, which in turn, delivers fuel to the engine. 

The defective control module may fail, causing the fuel pump to shut down which may starve the engine of gasoline and stall the car. GM blamed the defect on the supplier, Vitesco, but did not provide a specific cause for the fault. 

The recall is based on 617 related complaints and 229 reports of stalls drawn from warranty claim data. GM said it was not aware of any injuries related to this issue to date. 

Recall risks

Stalling out on the road puts the car at risk of being hit by faster-moving traffic. Read more about the risks of stalling and what to do if your car stalls in this article about a recent Chrysler recall.

Warning signs

Drivers may notice a few different “symptoms” if this problem is occurring:

  1. The check engine light may illuminate.
  2. The engine is running rough.
  3. The vehicle may enter into a “reduced power” mode, causing sluggish acceleration.

Other related recalls

General Motors recalled the same Escalade, Suburban, Tahoe, and Yukon vehicle models over a recent power steering failure that affected 26,847 SUVs. 

In June, there was a Cadillac Escalade recall because of faulty airbag warning lights, as reported. The recall also included Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban and Yukon vehicles. 

There was a Chevrolet Tahoe recall in March because of the risk of flat tires.

There have been many Chevy recalls, including one in October 2019 for unintended braking.

The repair

GM dealers will replace the power control module on the recalled Chevy Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade SUVs for free. All owners will be officially notified about the recall starting November 8, but the repair is already available. Customers are eligible for courtesy transportation if they are concerned about driving their cars.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

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

Rebecca RandGeneral Motors recalls new SUVs over stalling issue

General Motors adds more cars to Chrevrolet and Buick recall

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.

Rebecca RandGeneral Motors adds more cars to Chrevrolet and Buick recall

General Motors recalls GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox SUVs over loss of vehicle control

Warren, MI – September 15, 2021 – General Motors (NYSE: GM) has recalled 7,082 vehicles whose drivers may lose control of these vehicles due to faulty tires. This increases the risk of a crash or injury.

The recall includes the following SUVs :

  • 2021 Chevrolet Equinox
  • 2022 Chevrolet Equinox
  • 2021 GMC Terrain
  • 2022 GMC Terrain

Recall summary  

Before going on the road, tires in all vehicles undergo a process that is called “curing.” The curing process is what makes the tires hold their shape and maintain contact with the road while driving. 

Due to a supplier error, the tires in the recalled vehicles were made with an insufficient amount of curative agent. As a result, the tread of these tires – which is the part that makes contact with the road – may separate from the rest of the tire, making the driver lose control of the vehicle.

Warning signs

According to GM, “drivers may hear noise or feel a vibration while driving. A bulge in the tread may also be noticeable.”

Risks

Tread separation may occur at a high speed, increasing the risk of an accident and death or injury for the occupants of the car and motorists around them.

Other relevant recalls

In March, General Motors recalled 33,838 vehicles whose tires may rupture out on the road. The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox was recalled in December of last year because of faulty seat belts that could separate in the event of a crash. In the same month The 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox cars were part of a large-scale recall initiated because of potential fuel leaks in the same month, as reported

The 2018-2020 GMC Terrains were also included in the above recall. 

The repair

GM dealers will inspect and, if necessary,  replace vehicles’ tires for free. Owners will be notified around September 20.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

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

Mikaela BolkerGeneral Motors recalls GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox SUVs over loss of vehicle control

GM recalls Cadillacs for twisted airbags

Warren, MI – September 10, 2021 – General Motors  (NYSE:GM) has recalled 34,157 Cadillac CT sedans that whose roof rail airbags (also called side-curtain airbags) may fail to deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. The recall includes:

  • 2020 – 2022 Cadillac CT4 sedans
  • 2020 – 2022 Cadillac CT5 sedans

Recall summary  

These Cadillacs are built with roof rail airbags, which  deploy like “curtains” over the windows to protect vehicle occupants’ heads during a crash. The airbags are stored compactly folded along the sides of the car’s roof. However, the recalled vehicles’ airbags may actually be twisted, meaning that they may not deploy properly in a crash.

The problem was first discovered over a year ago when a roof rail airbag failed to properly deploy during crash testing conducted by a government safety agency, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The affected part is the roof rail side airbag with multiple part numbers, including 84929315 and 84929316.

Risks

Side and curtain airbags reduce side-impact crash fatalities by an estimated 31.3%, according to NHTSA. If these airbags do not properly deploy in a crash, this safety benefit is stripped away.

Cadillac recalls

Over the summer, GM recalled close to 400,000 Cadillac and Saab vehicles due to faulty suspension. Rear toe links – which is what keeps tires on the ground and the car stable – on these vehicles were misadjusted leading to some of the recalled vehicles veering uncontrollably off the road. 

The repair

Dealers will inspect both left- and right-side roof rail airbags to see if they are twisted and will untwist them if necessary. This service will be free of charge. Courtesy transportation is available for Cadillac CT owners. Customers will be notified about the recall starting September 20, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 34,000 vehicles are included in this GM airbag recall. To see if your Cadillac is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandGM recalls Cadillacs for twisted airbags

General Motors issues third Chevrolet Bolt recall following car fires

Warren, MI – September 9, 2021 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has recalled 52,403 2020 – 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2022 Bolt EUV cars whose batteries may catch fire, increasing the risk of death or injury for the car occupants and people around them.

This recall is a result of an ongoing U.S. government investigation, which so far has resulted in three recalls, including this one, and is an expansion of a previous recall conducted in July. There have been multiple fires and at least one injury associated with this recall.

The recall concerns the “High Voltage Battery Pack” with multiple part numbers, including 24042761, 24044172 and  24044527.

Recall summary  

These Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles contain defective high-voltage LG batteries that may catch fire when they are charged to “charged to full, or very close to full, capacity.” In fact, the recall is being conducted on the back of a recent car fire in the recalled population.

The cause of the fire  is the presence of “two rare manufacturing defects in the same battery cell” but it is not clear what these defects are. 

Previous recalls and an investigation

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which regulates vehicle safety in the U.S., opened an investigation in October after receiving two owner complaints alleging that their vehicles “caught fire under the rear seat while parked and unattended.” The investigation resulted in the first recall which was conducted in November 2020 and included over 50,000 2019, 2018 and 2017 Chevrolet Volt EVs. The cars were outfitted with “diagnostic software” and also received new battery modules. The repair, however, may have been insufficient as the same vehicles were again recalled in July of this year.

Risks

Battery fires are serious: One of the Chevrolet Bolt fires reported to NHTSA took three hours for the fire department to put out, and reportedly caused owners smoke inhalation injuries from the “thick and noxious” fumes it produced. Car battery fires pose a number of risks to vehicle occupants and people nearby, and require specialized firefighting techniques to extinguish. For tips on what to do in the event of a fire, please visit this article about battery fires in BMW hybrids.

Warning signs

Before the Chevy Bolt fire, owners may notice that the battery emits “smoke or heat” or see the battery or “ other vehicle components” melt or become damaged.

The repair

Dealers will eventually replace defective battery modules for free, but this repair is not yet available. 

Safety tips

You can do the following while waiting for the final repair: 

  • Activate the Target Charge Level (referred to as the Hilltop Reserve mode on the 2017-2018 Bolts) feature to limit the battery charge level to 90% full. If you are unable to adjust these settings yourself, visit your dealer for help.
  • Charge the vehicle after each use.
  • Do NOT deplete the battery further than 70 miles of range remaining.
  • Park the vehicle outside and away from structures after charging.
  • Do NOT charge the vehicle overnight.
  • If you own a 2017, 2018 or 2019 model-year,  visit your nearest Chevrolet dealer to get an important software update, which includes a diagnostic check on the health of the Bolt’s battery system. This service is provided free of charge.

Letters with these instructions will be sent out to owners on October 4, 2021. Owners will receive a second letter when the final repair is available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 50,000 vehicles are included in GM’s Chevrolet recall. To do a Chevrolet recall check, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandGeneral Motors issues third Chevrolet Bolt recall following car fires

GM issues second recall for Cadillac and Saab vehicles over faulty suspension

Warren, MI – August 16, 2021 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has remedied issues with 171.766 vehicles including the 2011-2012 Saab 9-4x and the 2010-2016 Cadillac SRX that were dealing with rear suspension issues. Additionally, 88 of these GM vehicles have been categorized as unreachable, and 31 have been removed from the recall. One group of these 2011-2012 Saab 9-4x and the 2010-2016 Cadillac SRX was remedied in 2021, and another group was remedied in 2022 due to these issues with the rear suspension toe link may loosen and separate.

Warren, MI – August 16, 2021 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has issued a recall for 380,498 cars to fix a part of the rear suspension – which connects the vehicle to the wheels – that may come loose and result in a loss of control. The affected vehicles include:

  • 2010 Cadillac SRX
  • 2011 Cadillac SRX
  • 2012 Cadillac SRX
  • 2013 Cadillac SRX
  • 2014 Cadillac SRX
  • 2015 Cadillac SRX
  • 2016 Cadillac SRX
  • 2011 Saab 9-4X
  • 2012 Saab 9-4X

This recall is a result of an investigation by an auto safety regulator the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration on the back of consumer complaints. A large number of these vehicles were first recalled in September 2014 over the same concern.  

The affected component is the “adjustable rear suspension toe link” with part number 20867273.

Recall summary

The affected vehicles are equipped with rear toe links that may have been adjusted improperly during a service. A toe link keeps the suspension stable and the tires on the ground, as reported.

After the 2014 recall, the company continued to receive additional reports that the toe links were still loose and the NHTSA opened an investigation in 2020, after getting nine complaints from owners. 

As a result, GM has recalled all of the vehicles that were part of the original recall, as well as some additional model years.

Risks

A loose toe link may cause the vehicle to veer uncontrollably. An affected vehicle may start swerving from side to side, increasing the risk of colliding with other vehicles and oncoming traffic. This is very dangerous. In fact, the NHTSA cited that two of the nine complaints it received resulted in a crash.

Warning signs

GM has mentioned that a driver will notice one of these warning signs if the toe link on their vehicle is loose:

  • Traction control, rear axle or Stabilitrak service message
  • Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) stays on or flashes 
  • Chimes with any of the above messages and MILs
  • Vehicle sways or veers while driving
  • Off-center steering wheel
  • Uneven wear between the rear tires
  • Loud metallic noise from the rear suspension

In the event that you notice any of these signs, slow down and bring your vehicle to a halt. Have your vehicle towed immediately to a GM dealership; do not drive it there.

Related complaints

There have been several complaints from owners about losing control while driving. One 2015 Cadillac SRX driver reported a harrowing experience where she and her husband were driving down the highway, heard a loud bang and then completely lost control of the vehicle. The car crossed three lanes of the interstate, hit the side of a tractor trailer, which pushed them back across three lanes and then came to a stop in the left lane. Fortunately, they came out of the incident unharmed.

Other GM recalls

Earlier this month, GM issued a Buick, Chevrolet and Cadillac recall for multiple models over a faulty airbag warning light. All models were part of the 2021 model year.

The repair

GM dealerships will replace the affected adjustable toe link with a non-adjustable unit, free of charge. This will prevent the toe links from coming loose or breaking in the future.

Customers were notified on August 9, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

A loose toe link can have serious consequences. To find out if your vehicle is a part of this GM recall, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Vishal VenugopalGM issues second recall for Cadillac and Saab vehicles over faulty suspension

GM recalls Chevrolet and GMC pickups with dangerous airbags

Warren, MIAugust 15, 2021 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has recalled 410,019 pickup trucks with potentially dangerous airbags embedded in the vehicles’ roof-rails. The airbag inflator might rupture, propelling gas and the inflator’s end-cap into the vehicle at high speeds, which could injure vehicle occupants. 

The recall includes:

  • 2015 – 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  • 2015 – 2016 Chevrolet  Silverado 2500
  • 2015 – 2016 Chevrolet  Silverado 3500
  • 2015 – 2016 GMC Sierra 1500
  • 2015 – 2016 GMC Sierra 2500
  • 2015 – 2016 GMC Sierra 3500

The affected component is roof rail airbags with multiple part numbers, including 84487867 and 84487868. The bags were manufactured by a successor of Takata, Joyson Safety Systems, in Mexico.

Recall summary  

The pickup trucks’ roof rail airbags deploy like “curtains” over the windows to protect vehicle occupants’ heads during a crash. Inflators within these bags do what you expect them to do.  

Due to a manufacturing mistake, moisture “was introduced into the [inflator] vessel,” which may result in its corrosion. This may allow compressed gas to escape from the inflator and  result in the parts of the inflator hurling themselves into the car occupants, causing injury.

Background of the recall

Initially, GM recalled a smaller group of approximately 9,000 trucks this past November. The automaker expanded the recall in June after it became aware of three additional roof rail airbag inflator ruptures in Florida and Texas. General Motors noted that “thermal cycling” (i.e. very hot days and cool nights) exacerbate the defect, making the inflator more likely to rupture. 

Risks

If the airbag inflator ruptures and the inflator’s end cap or other parts go flying into the cabin, they could hit vehicle occupants at high speeds, potentially injuring them. 

This defect is different from the infamous Takata airbag defect. Takata airbag inflators do not randomly explode. Rather, they deploy “too hard” during a crash, blowing the inflator to pieces that can impale vehicle occupants. The recalled cars’ inflators, on the other hand, explode because the container holding the compressed gas becomes too weak to hold it. This can occur at any time–not just when the airbags are triggered during a crash. Both are dangerous and should be repaired as soon as possible.

The repair

Chevrolet and GMC dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the right- and left-side roof rail airbags for free. Owners will be warned about the recall by mail around August 16 and will receive a second letter once recall repairs become available.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 410,000 vehicles are included in this Chevrolet and GMC recall. To see if your truck is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.

Rebecca RandGM recalls Chevrolet and GMC pickups with dangerous airbags