Tag Archives: automobile safety defect

Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 Ball Joint Failure

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In December 2020, Fox Factory received its first reports that certain GM vehicles fitted with Tuscany lift kits could experienced partial or complete wheel separation while in operation. Fox began reviewing field data and started a safety investigation to assess the failure mode, the failure rate and potential causes of the problem. By September 2021 Fox identified 28 warranty claims and field or service reports potentially relating to this issue and decided to initiate a voluntary safety recall.

According to the defect report, “Accelerated wear on the vehicle OEM installed ball joint in the front upper control arm can result in premature ball joint failure and a front wheel separation while the vehicle is in motion .”

Failure of a ball joint in a front upper control arm may be preceded by noise and / or a feeling of clicking in the steering, abnormal front tire wear and abnormal steering.

The Vehicles Affected Include:
2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2019-2021 GMC Sierra 1500

New Tuscany front upper control arms will be installed in place of the GM front upper control arms. The fix will include upgraded front upper control arms with stronger and less corrosion sceptible ball joints. NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V718.

Chevy Silverado And GMC Sierra Roof Rail Air Bag Could Rupture

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In mid-June 2021 General Motors became aware of roof rail airbag (RRAB) inflator ruptures in three 2015 model year Silverado vehicles while the vehicle was unoccupied and not in use. In all three incidents, the steel inflator body sidewall split open, suddenly releasing the gas stored inside the chamber. GM’s Safety and Field Action Decision Authority have decided to conduct a safety recall.

According to the defect report, The RRAB inflators on the left and right side roof rails may contain a manufacturing defect that could result in inflator end cap separation or inflator sidewall split. If this happens, the compressed gas will escape from the inflator and the end cap or other components can be propelled into the vehicle, potentially injuring occupants.

The Cause Of The Problem: Corrosion inside the inflator vessel, which was caused by moisture introduced into the vessel during the supplier’s manufacturing process and aggravated by
thermal cycling in high-temperature climate regions

Vehicles Affected Include
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

Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 16, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 20V-736. GM’s number for this recall is N202324251 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-504.

2021 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021 Buick Enclave Front Air Bags May Not Deploy Properly

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General Motors will be contacting the owners of certain 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021 Buick Enclave SUVs, about a problem that could result in the front air bag not deploying properly. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed out beginning of August 2021.

According to the defect report, during a weekly service programming system (SPS) audit, it was discovered that a small number of 2021 Chevy and Buick models may have been manufactured with the incorrect sensing diagnostic module (SDM) data calibration. The data files were corrected in the SPS system and the problem was reported to GM’s safety program. Their investigation found a small number of 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021 Buick Enclave vehicles may have received the same incorrect data and decided to conduct a safety recall.

General Motors will be contacting the owners of affected vehicles with instructions to update the calibration software in the SDM. GM’s number for this recall is N212340220 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-472

2019-2020 Chevrolet 6500HD Trucks Software Update For Safety Issue

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General Motors has decided that a software defect exists in certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet 6500HD trucks. These vehicles have been manufactured with tires that have a maximum speed rating of 75mph (regular production option (RPO) codes XDV for the front tires and YAP for the rear tires) and engine control module software that limits the speed of the vehicle to 79 mph.

In December 2020, Navistar, informed GM that vehicles may have been built with maximum speed limitation calibrations that exceed tire maximum speed ratings. A GM engineering manager reported the issue to GM’s Speak Up For Safety (SUFS) program and preliminary information was collected regarding the issue. GM opened an investigation in February 2021, confirmed the speed limiting software in the ECM and the body control module (BCM) would allow vehicles to reach 79 mph, exceeding the 75 mph maximum speed rating of the tires. In May 2021, GM’s Safety and Field Action Decision Authority (SFADA) decided to conduct a safety recall.

Owners receiving notification letters will be asked to return to their dealers to have the software calibration for the engine control module (ECM) set to limit the vehicles speed so it will not exceed the speed rating of the tires. GM’s number for this recall is N202325530 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-346.

2020 Nissan Murano Ball Joint Separation

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Nissan will be asking the owners of certain 2020 Nissan Murano SUVs, to return to their dealerships for a problem that could result in loss of vehicle control. Approximately 15,000 vehicles are affected by this recall.

According to the defect report, an equipment failure at the supplier resulted in improperly formed billets in the transverse links. As a result, the right and left transverse links are out of specification and in rare cases could separate from the ball joint. This could result in loss of vehicle control and an increased chance of an accident.

Owners of affected vehicles will be notified to return to their dealer to have the left and right hand transverse links inspected for the affected LOT codes. If the LOT code is identified, the dealer will replace the links and perform an alignment.

Nissan’s number for this recall is PC797 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-170.

Cadillac, Chevy & GMC Seatbelt Safety Defect

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General Motors has decided that a seat belt safety issue exists in certain 2020-2021 Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles. They will be contacting owners with instructions to return to their dealerships for repairs.

According to the safety report filed with the NHTSA, the wrong seat belt bolt may have been used at one or multiple locations to secure the seat belt to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached and may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash.

Vehicles Affected Include
2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV
2021 Cadillac Escalade
2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2021 Chevrolet Blazer
2021 Chevrolet Camaro
2021 Chevrolet Colorado
2021 Chevrolet Equinox
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
2021 Chevrolet Suburban
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
2021 GMC Canyon
2021 GMC Sierra 1500
2021 GMC Sierra 2500
2021 GMC Sierra 3500
2021 GMC Yukon
2021 GMC Yukon XL

Dealers will correct the problem by replacing any suspect bolts. GM’s number for this recall is N202322230 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-811.

2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV Reduced Braking

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A small number of 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV owners will be returning to their dealerships to repair a problem affecting the brakes in their vehicles. General Motors has decided that this defect can affect vehicle safety.

According to the defect report, certain 2020 Chevy Bolt EVs may have improperly cast front left brake calipers. (Iron used to manufacture the caliper was not properly treated by the supplier prior to casting.) During a high pressure braking event, the caliper could fracture and brake fluid would be lost to half of the vehicle’s braking system. The problem could result in an unexpected reduction in brake performance and an increased chance of an accident.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the casting lot number of the front left brake caliper inspected and replace as necessary. GM’s number for this recall is N202321400 and the NHTSA campaign number is 20V-808.

GM, Nissan and VW Recalled For Defective Tires

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The owners of certain 2020-2021 General Motors, Nissan and Volkswagen vehicles will be contacted by the automobile manufacturer regarding a problem that could exist with their tires. Continental Tires of America (CTA) have initiated a recall for tires that may have been installed as original equipment on some models.

General Motors Vehicles Affected
2020 Buick Enclave
2020 Cadillac XT5
2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2020 Chevrolet Traverse
2020 GMC Acadia
2020-2021 GMC Sierra 1500
Nissan Vehicles Affected
2020 Nissan Altima
Volkswagen Vehicles Affected
2021 Volkswagen Atlas
2020-2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

According to CTA, over-cured tires could experience a break in the sidewall with sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation that could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. These conditions could increase the risk of an accident.