Category Archives: Chevrolet

News about Chevrolet automobile manufacturer. News about Chevrolet recalls, technical service bulletins (TSB), and problems regarding Chevrolet vehicles.

Cadillac, Chevy & GMC Seat Belt Buckle Assembled With Improper Rivets

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General Motors (GM) will be contacting the owners of certain 2021-2022 Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC SUVs equipped with third-row seating. These vehicles may have been manufactured with an improperly formed mounting bracket rivet that may not restrain an occupant during an accident.

The vehicles affected by this problem include:

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

In May 2022, a GM dealership received a customer complaint about the separation of the third row seat belt assemblies in their 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The problem was submitted to GM’s Speak Up For Safety program and a formal investigation was opened. During this investigation, another seven additional field reports were found that could be related to this condition. Further investigation into the problem determined that operators at the seat belt buckle assembly supplier’s manufacturing plant may have not properly followed manufacturing processes and as a result, may have missed the rivet forming operation. In July, GM’s investigator met with the seat belt buckle assembly supplier to determine the scope of potentially affected parts. On August 4, 2022, GM’s Safety Field Action Decision Authority (SFADA) decided to conduct a safety recall.

According to the defect report, the rivet that retains the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left and/or right side third-row seat belt buckle assembly may not have been properly formed during the manufacturing process. If the assembly is not properly riveted, it will not restrain occupants during an accident and could result in increased injuries.

Owners receiving recall notices will be asked to return to their GM dealer to have the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies inspected and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary. GM’s number for this recall is N222372380 and the NHTSA campaign number is 22V-617.

2022 Chevy Silverado And 2022 GMC Sierra High Mount Brake Light Defect

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Certain 2022 Chevrolet Silverado and 2022 GMC Sierra vehicles equipped with a high-mounted brake light accessory sports bar, may fail to meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) for lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment.

General Motors (GM) first became aware of the problem in April 2022, when a GM engineer observed an accessory sports bar installation problem on a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado. The problem was reported to GM’s Speak Up For Safety (SUFS) program and a formal investigation was opened. The investigation reviewed customer field data and found 15 claims related to this condition

According to the defect report, some 2022 Chevrolet Silverado and 2022 GMC Sierra trucks may have a dealer-installed accessory sports bar that contains a high-mounted stop lamp that will not operate as intended when installed according to the provided instructions. The installation of the bar also blocks the vehicle’s existing high-mounted stop lamp. If the high-mounted stop lamp is not working or is not visible to other drivers, it will increase the risk of an accident.

The instructions for wiring the accessory sports bar is not compatible with the electrical design of certain 2022 Silverado and Sierra trucks. 2019-2021 model year vehicles and 2022 model year vehicles built with the previous electrical architecture (RPOs J21 and AMK) are not affected by this problem. This accessory is not intended for use on 2500/3500 series vehicles.

GM is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this condition. Investigators analyzed sales records to identify potentially affected trucks and over the counter sales and have decided to conduct a noncompliance recall. Approximately 242 vehicles are affected.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their Chevy or GMC dealer to have the installation of the sports bar inspected and repaired as necessary. GM’s recall number for this recall is N222368110 and the NHTSA campaign number is 22V-463.

Cadillac, Chevrolet & GMC Vehicles Investigated For Airbag Safety Problem

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Automotive Defect Investigation
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE21-010) to investigate complaints of malfunctions with the driver frontal air bags in certain Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles.

The ODI has received fifteen consumer complaints about certain vehicles experiencing an airbag warning light illumination and/or a failure of the airbag to deploy during an accident with significant frontal damage. Nine of the consumer complaints say the air bag malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) was illuminated and six of the incidents had significant frontal damage with failure to deploy the airbags.

A TSB, issued in March 2021, addresses air bag MIL illumination accompanied by diagnostic trouble codes B0001-1B or B0012-0D. It also reports rust particles in the connection terminal interface of the driver airbag inflator as the cause of the airbag MIL illumination. Illumination of the airbag MIL under these circumstances may result in a non-deployment of the driver’s airbag during a frontal collision and increased risk of injury to the driver.

The vehicles under investigation include:

2020-2021 Cadillac CT4
2020-2021 Cadillac CT5
2020-2021 Cadillac Escalade
2020-2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2020-2021 Cadillac XT5
2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 5500HD
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 6500HD
2020-2021 Chevrolet Suburban
2021 Chevrolet Suburban 1500
2020-2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
2020-2021 GMC Sierra 1500
2020-2021 GMC Sierra 2500
2020-2021 GMC Sierra 3500
2020 GMC Sierra Denali
2020-2021 GMC Yukon
2020-2021 GMC Yukon XL

ODI have opened this preliminary investigation to determine the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues. If the investigation results in a recall, an estimated 749,312 vehicles could be affected.

Chevy Bolt Battery Problem Update

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General Motors is still rolling out new batteries for the troubled Chevy Bolt electric vehicle, albeit very slowly. We are hearing from clients and potential clients that dealerships are putting them on “wait lists” for the new battery but are not hearing again from the dealership. The dealerships give the owner no times table for getting their new battery as well. Obviously, this is very frustrating for consumers who are tired of figuring out ways to safely charge their EV. To date, we have only heard of the new batteries actually being installed in the 2017 – 2019 year models, but not for any 2020-2021 models. The good news is that once the battery has been installed, consumers seem to be happy with the new battery giving them a longer range than the original. More importantly, we have not heard of any problems associated with the new battery. This is good news for consumers.

With that said, we are still accepting Chevy Bolt cases, regardless of whether the new battery has been installed, and we continue to achieve favorable settlements with General Motors. Many of our settlements are for cash, allowing the consumer to receive compensation while being allowed to keep the vehicle.

Please call us at 1-888-395-3666 for more details about this problem.

Chevrolet Bolt EV

Here is a summary of the defect.
General Motors recalled all of their Chevrolet Bolt EVs because there is a manufacturing defect affecting the battery cell. The problem is aggravated when the battery is charged to a full or nearly full state after it has been substantially depleted. The battery could overheat and catch fire, causing damage to the vehicle and structures around it. As a temporary solution, GM asked owners to reprogram their hybrid propulsion control module to limit a full charge.

The safety recall from the NHTSA states the following:
As an interim remedy, dealers will reprogram the hybrid propulsion control module to limit full charge to 90%. Until this interim is completed, customers should enable either “Hilltop Reserve” (for 2017-2018 model year vehicles) or “Target Charge Level” (for 2019 model year vehicles) using their vehicle’s infotainment center. These two features will limit the vehicle’s state of charge to 90% until the HPCM2 software re-calibration is applied. If customers are unable to successfully make these changes or do not feel comfortable making these changes, they will be advised to not park their car in their garage or carport until after they have visited their dealer.

Chevrolet HD Truck – Brake Line Leak

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General Motors (GM) will be asking a small number of 2022 Chevrolet Heavy Duty (HD) truck owners to return to their GM dealership for a problem affecting the brakes in their vehicles. The primary hydraulic brake line assembly may have not been tightened to manufacturer specifications and could loosen and leak.

The vehicles affected by this problem include:

2022 Chevrolet 4500HD
2022 Chevrolet 5500HD
2022 Chevrolet 6500HD

In April 2022, during assembly end of the line testing, GM discovered that several of their Chevrolet HD trucks were experiencing a soft brake pedal feel and/or extended stopping distances. Navistar, the manufacturer of these vehicles informed GM that they intended to file a safety recall for this condition, and in May, GM’s Safety and Field Action Decision Authority (SFADA) decided to conduct a safety recall on the GM badged vehicles produced in the same suspect production period as the recalled Navistar vehicles. GM is not aware of any relevant field reports or crashes related to this problem.

According to the defect report, an investigation by the manufacturer of these vehicles found that the pressure sensor fitting of the primary hydraulic brake line assembly may not have been tightened to the correct manufacturer torque specification. If the brake line assembly loosens and brake fluid is lost, drivers may experience a soft or low brake pedal feel, extended stopping distances and the brake warning light may illuminate. Owners may also notice brake fluid on the ground or in the engine compartment.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the brake pressure switch tightened to specification. They will also bleed the brake system and top off the brake fluid.

GM’s number for this recall is N222368230 and the NHTSA campaign number is 22V-364.

GM Extends Warranty On Chevy Express And GMC Savanna For EGR Cooler Failure

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Certain 2013-2014 model year Chevrolet Express and 2013-2014 model year GMC Savana HD vehicles equipped with 6.6L Duramax diesel engines (RPO LGH) could experience a malfunction indicator light (MIL) illumination because of a problem affecting the Exhaust Gas Re-circulation (EGR) cooler.

clogged EGR

EGR coolers can fail for a few different reasons. Coolant passageways become clogged and prevent exhaust gas from cooling, some EGR coolers may be susceptible to corrosion, and repeated cycling of extreme temperatures (thermal stress) can all cause your EGR to fail.

There are a few indications that your EGR is failing: the engine idles rough and stalls; there is an increase in fuel consumption and a decrease in performance; the engine management light is always on, and there is a smell of fuel in and around the vehicle.

General Motors is providing owners of certain 2013-2014 Chevrolet Express and 2013-2014 GMC Savana HD vehicles equipped with 6.6L Duramax diesel engines vehicles, with additional warranty protection. This special coverage covers the problem described above for a period of 10 years or 120,000 miles (193,000 km), whichever occurs first. The warranty covers the vehicles from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership.

** GM should notify customers if this special warranty coverage is on their vehicle.**

Repairs and adjustments qualifying under this special coverage must be performed by a General Motors dealer.

View the complete warranty document here: MC-10150564-9999.pdf

GM Extends Warranty On Trucks For Defective Fuel Injectors

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General Motors (GM) will be providing owners of certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC trucks additional warranty coverage because of a problem that could affect the fuel injectors in their engines. The trucks receiving additional warranty are equipped with 5.3L or 6.2L engines.

Vehicles manufactured with these defective fuel injectors include:
2016-2017 Cadillac Escalade
2016-2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado
2016-2017 Chevrolet Suburban
2016-2017 Chevrolet Tahoe
2016-2017 GMC Sierra
2016-2017 GMC Yukon
2016-2017 GMC Yukon XL

** GM will notify customers if this special warranty coverage is on their vehicle.**

The special coverage will extend the warranty of the above vehicles, for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles (240,000km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally purchased, regardless of ownership. This special coverage only applies to vehicles in these states: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

According to documents released by GM, “Under certain circumstances, one or more of the vehicle’s fuel injectors may deliver an improper amount of fuel to the engine. If this happens, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (the Check Engine Light) will illuminate to warn the driver there is a problem. The engine will begin to run rough and will eventually stall. Diagnostic trouble codes, including P0300-P0308 or DTC P050D, will be set.

Other symptoms of a bad or dirty fuel injector include: The vehicle is hard to start and idles rough; Poor performance and increased fuel consumption; and an engine knock or detonation that could lead to complete engine failure.

2021-2022 Chevrolet Corvette – Missing Bearings In Rear Half Shaft

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A small number of 2021-2022 Chevrolet Corvette owners will be contacted by the manufacturer regarding a problem affecting the rear half shaft assemblies in their vehicles. According to the defect report, Some Corvettes may have a rear half-shaft assembly that is missing one or more ball bearings. If any ball bearings are missing, the half-shaft will eventually fail, resulting in a loss of propulsion.

In September 2021, a General Motors (GM) engineer carried out a warranty inspection of a rear half shaft recovered from a 2021 Chevrolet Corvette. The half shaft fractured and caused the vehicle to lose propulsion. Upon further inspection, it was found that the half shaft was missing two of six ball bearings. Follow-up, discussions with the supplier identified a potential failure in the inspection process that led to the miss-build. In October, the GM engineer submitted a report to GM’s Speak Up For Safety (SUFS) program and the supplier identified 19 vehicle identification numbers (VINs) containing half-shafts that may have been improperly inspected.

GM is not aware of any injuries or crashes related to this condition. In February, GM’s Safety and Field Action Decision Authority decided to conduct a safety recall for any 2021-2022 Chevrolet Corvette that may have received suspect rear half shaft assemblies.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their GM dealers to have the left and/or right rear half-shaft assemblies inspected and replaced as necessary. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed in April. GM’s number for this recall is N212351320 and the NHTSA campaign number is 22V-091.

Do you think your Chevy Corvette could be a Lemon? Don’t live with a Lemon, especially if the problems you are having are safety-related. If you have any questions about your rights and the California Lemon Law, please call our office at 888-395-3666 for some great Lemon Law advice.