A recent recall for improperly heat treated rear axle cross pins on some GM trucks and SUVs is being expanded to include another 25,000 vehicles. The original recall included:

  • 2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  • 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche
  • 2011 Chevrolet Silverado LD
  • 2011 GMC Sierra LD

GM told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it had expanded the recall because some faulty parts were used in production through to Jan. 3 of this year. The new recall includes:

  • 2011 Cadillac Escalade
  • 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV
  • 2011 Chevrolet Colorado
  • 2011 Chevrolet Silverado
  • 2011 Chevrolet Suburban
  • 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe
  • 2011 GMC Canyon
  • 2011 GMC Sierra
  • 2011 GMC Yukon
  • 2011 GMC Yukon XL

GM said they know of one incident in which a driver experienced a loss of power to the axle, but are not aware of any crashes or injuries related to the condition. They are urging drivers not to use the vehicles until the problem is fixed.


Detroit’s showcase of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) is one of North America’s most prestigious auto exhibitions. Besides being home to the “Big Three” (the three major American automotive companies: General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler ), the show serves as a locale for international automakers to show off their most innovative designs and give consumers the experience of North America’s largest and most prestigious automotive showcase. This year’s show is expected to see over 30 all new reveals of the 500 vehicles on display.

Toyota plans to capitalize on their green image as they launch three new Prius models in an attempt to shift public attention to their innovative new products. There will be many other electric and hybrid vehicles as consumers move toward more efficient and zero emission modes of transportation. Ford will introduce their new Focus electric vehicle as well as their Ford Explorer, North American truck of the year. GM’s Chevrolet Volt, named North American car of the year will also be there.

Experience the next generation of transportation at the 2011 North American International Auto Show at the Cobo Conference and Exhibition Center . Doors will be open to the general public: Saturday, January 15 to Saturday January 22, 9 am – 10 pm and on Sunday, January 23, 9 am to 7 pm.

OnStar will be expanding its customer base this spring as the popular safety and security technology company starts making their service available at more than 1,000 stores nationwide. The product will come as an installable rear view mirror that will be compatible with top selling vehicles including Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ford F-Series trucks. The mirror will be selling for about $300 with a service plan of $18.95 a month or $200 a year. The same rate offered to GM OnStar subscribers.

The retail version will give drivers access to most of OnStar’s services, such as automatic crash detection, turn-by-turn directions, stolen vehicle location and the ability to reach an OnStar adviser by pushing a call button. Features such as remote starting, are being considered for the package, according to GM officials.

While some feel that Onstar advisers will become obsolete as voice recognition technology becomes better and more affordable, OnStar is teaming up with Verizon to take the OnStar service to the next level. With the Verizon 4G broadband network, high tech ideas such as tweeting, video chat and view live traffic camera images from behind the wheel is the aim of the partnership. OnStar and Verizon gave consumers a peek at what’s possible while unveiling a prototype Buick LaCrosse at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

GMC has announced a recall on certain 2011 trucks for rear axle cross pins that were not properly heat treated at the factory. The cross pins could break and become jammed within the rear axle causing the rear axle to lock up. The driver could loose directional control of their vehicle resulting in an accident and potential injuries. The vehicles affected by this recall are:

  • 2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  • 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche
  • 2011 Chevrolet Silverado LD
  • 2011 GMC Sierra LD

Owner receiving a recall notice can take their vehicles to their nearest dealer where a new rear axle cross pin will be installed, free of charge. For more information contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at 1-866-996-9463 and at the GMC owner center at www.gmownercenter.com. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) vehicle safety hot line at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

A seat belt problem found in some GM crossovers has lead the automaker to issue a recall that could affect almost 100,000 vehicles. GM reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that during component testing, it was found that some crossover vehicles may have seat belt anchors that could break during a high impact situation. The problem, which could affect both the driver and passenger front seats is being blamed on an unauthorized change to the anchoring tooling. The vehicles affected by this recall are:

  • 2011 Cadillac SRX
  • 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
  • 2011 GMC Terrain

Owners can contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and GMC at 1-866-996-9463 with questions or concerns. They can also consult the GM owner center website at www.gmownercenter.com.

fan blade separation investigation into GMC trucksThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into General Motors 2006 medium duty commercial trucks which include the Chevrolet Kodiak W4500 and W5500, GMC TopKick C4500 and C5500 and Isuzu 4500 and 5000 Series. There have been no injuries to date, but several complaints of fan blades separating from the vehicle have been reported. The problem is being blamed on flexible fan blades that may develop cracks over time. If the investigation should lead to a recall, almost 60,000 medium duty trucks could be affected.

No injuries have been reported, but after concerns were raised by Transport Canada, GM has decided to recall almost 200,000 pickup trucks for an inadequate child restraint system in trucks without rear seats. The vehicles involved in the recall are:

  • 2004-2011 Chevrolet Colorado
  • 2004-2011 GMC Canyon regular cab
  • 2004-2011 GMC Canyon extended cab
  • 2007-2008 Isuzu I-290/I-370
  • 2006 Isuzu I-280/I-350

According to GM, “The child restraint top tether anchor for the front center seat position is not accessible for installing a child seat”, so the child restraint may not be properly secured.”

Customers will be mailed an owner’s manual supplement that describes how to install a child restraint using a top tether in the center position. Dealers will modify the back panel trim cover to allow access to the top tether anchor, if requested by the customer.

The sales of electric cars may not be doing as well as first hoped, but the displays at this years Los Angeles Auto Show hopes to change that. GM’s Chevrolet Volt, the 2011 Green Car of the Year, is one of several displays that hope to spark interest in the sales of green cars. The Volts rival, the Nissan leaf, along with Tesla’s Toyota RAV4 EV, the Fisker Karma, the Mitsubishi I-MiEV, and every other car maker’s electric or hybrid car will be there vying for the green consumers interest.

This year’s show will feature a record of debuts with fifty new vehicles unveiled on press day. This year’s show features more elaborate and interactive exhibits and more manufacturers, making it one of the most dynamic LA Auto Shows in years. The annual event, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center and will be open to the public November 19-28.