Warren, MI – January 29, 2021 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) has recalled 213,128 mid-size cars because parts of the suspension called the toe links may break. The recall includes the following cars:
- 2012 – 2013 Buick Regal
- 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
- 2010 – 2013 Buick Lacrosse
Recall summary
The recall concerns the toe links at the rear underside of the car, which hold the rear wheels straight. The toe links are coated to protect them from road debris and corrosion, but the supplier applied too much coating, paradoxically making the protective layer more likely to chip off.
GM has issued the recall in specific states in the “Salt Belt,” where salt is used to de-ice roads in the winter. Without their protective coating, salt can corrode the metal toe links and cause them to break.
The recall will include models that were sold or ever registered in the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Risks
A car with a broken toe link becomes very hard to control and could end up crashing.
Read more about the risks of a broken toe link in this article about a Ford toe link recall.
Other GM recalls
In December, GM also recalled a host of GMC Sierra 2500, as well Sierra 1500 and 3500 trucks, among others. That GMC Sierra recall was related to the airbag end cap detaching during a crash and potentially hurting the car occupants.
The repair
GM dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners for free. This repair is not yet available. GM is still working on getting enough parts and will offer more details when it starts notifying owners on March 15.
Is your vehicle part of this recall?
Over 200,000 vehicles are part of this GM recall. To see if your car is one of them, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.
