Tag Archives: Lemon Alert

Cadillac, Chevrolet And GMC Engine Coolant Control Valve Failure

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If you drive a Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, Silverado 1500, GMC Yukon, or Sierra 1500, you may have already seen a Check Engine Light related to a coolant control valve problem.
Many 2021–2023 GM vehicles—especially those equipped with the 3.0L Duramax diesel (LM2 or LZ0)—have been affected by failures of the engine coolant control valve, sometimes called the engine coolant flow control valve.

This part plays a crucial role in regulating coolant flow to help the engine maintain proper operating temperature. When it fails or sticks, it can cause check-engine lights, overheating, and even high-speed radiator fan operation after the engine is turned off.

What the Issue Is

The engine coolant control valve manages how coolant circulates through the radiator and engine. When it fails, owners often report one or more of these diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs):

  • P1098 – Coolant Control Valve Performance (common on 3.0L Duramax models; fans may run at high speed even after the key is off)
  • P26BB / P2B60 – Coolant Flow Control Valve Position/Learn Faults

These codes can trigger the Check Engine Light (MIL) and may cause excessive fan noise or poor temperature regulation.

Vehicles Involved

GM lists the following vehicles as potentially affected:

  • 2021–2023: Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Tahoe / Suburban, GMC Yukon / Yukon XL
  • 2021–2022: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500

The issue is most prevalent in vehicles with the 3.0L Duramax diesel engine (LM2 or LZ0), but can appear in some gasoline variants as well.

What GM Told Dealers to Do

General Motors has released several Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) and Preliminary Information (PI) documents to guide technicians:

  • 22-NA-082 (April 2022) – Software programming update for vehicles displaying P1098 / P26BB / P2B60 codes.
  • PIP5791A (January 2022) – Directs technicians to command the valve open and closed multiple times to verify function before replacement.
  • Earlier PI (2019 → carried forward) – Replace the valve and perform a relearn if previous codes were logged and diagnostics confirm failure.
  • 21-NA-271 (August 2023) – Advises checking for kinked cooling hoses that can cause similar fault codes before replacing the valve.

Special Coverage Program for 3.0L Duramax Models

In September 2025, GM announced a Special Coverage Program for the coolant control valve affecting certain 3.0L Duramax models.

  • Coverage up to 15 years / 150,000 miles (240,000 km) from the vehicle’s in-service date
  • Applies to Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500, and full-size SUVs equipped with 3.0L Duramax engines
  • Covers replacement of the coolant control valve and related programming if diagnostics confirm failure.
  • Program IDs: N252508340 and N252508341

What Owners Should Do

  1. Get the codes read – Look specifically for P1098, P26BB, or P2B60.
  2. Visit your GM dealer – Mention TSB 22-NA-082 and Special Coverage N252508340/N252508341.
  3. Ask for a diagnostic and repair under warranty coverage if applicable.

California Lemon Law: Repeated Coolant Valve Problems Could Mean Your Vehicle Is a Lemon

If your GM SUV or truck has been in the shop multiple times for the repeated issues—or has been out of service for an extended period due to repeated repairs—you may have additional protection under the California Lemon Law (formally the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act).

When Lemon Law Might Apply

You may qualify if:

  • The vehicle is still under the manufacturer’s warranty (including extended “special coverage” programs).
  • The dealer has attempted several repairs for the same problem without success.
  • The issue substantially impairs the vehicle’s use, value, or safety (for example, repeated overheating or engine cooling failure).
  • The vehicle has spent a significant number of days in the shop for warranty-related repairs.

If those conditions apply, California law may require GM to repurchase or replace your vehicle.

How to Take Action

  1. Keep records of all service visits, repair orders, and communication with your dealer.
  2. Request a copy of your vehicle’s repair history and diagnostic codes.
  3. Consult a California Lemon Law attorney or consumer-protection advocate if your issue persists after repeated repairs.

(Tip: Lemon Law claims can often be handled at no cost to the consumer—attorney fees are typically paid by the manufacturer if you prevail.)

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.

GM Software To Prevent EV Battery Fires

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General Motors will be contacting owners of select 2017-2019 model year Chevrolet Bolt EVs previously repaired under National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) campaign number 20V-701.

The problem began in October 2020 when the NHTSA started an investigation into owner complaints of battery fires while their Bolt EV was charging. To reduce the risk of fires, GM provided a temporary fix in which the the vehicle’s software was updated to limit it’s charge to 90% of the battery’s capacity.

As part of the final repair, dealers will use diagnostic tools to identify potential battery anomalies and replace battery module assemblies as necessary. The fix will also include the installation of advanced onboard diagnostic software that detects potential issues related to changes in battery module performance. Customers will need to visit their Chevrolet EV dealer to have the service procedure performed. Once the remedy procedure is completed, the dealer will remove the 90% state of charge limitation and return the battery to its previous 100% charging capability.

Customers of 2019 model year Chevrolet Bolt EVs will be able to have this fix performed starting on April 29 and customers who own 2017 and 2018 model year Bolt EVs will be eligible to have the remedy performed by the end of May. GM will be making this diagnostic software standard in the 2022 Bolt EV and EUV future electric vehicles. According to GM, if a problem is diagnosed, the software will warn the driver with an illuminated warning lamp on the gauge cluster and drivers would need to have the vehicle towed to a dealer for repairs.

2016 Mercedes Benz C300 4Matic Power Steering Loss

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Certain 2016 Mercedes Benz C300 4Matic vehicles could experience a loss of power steering assist. According to the defect report, an incorrect torque sensor control calculation may cause a software issue that could lead to temporary deactivation of the power steering assist. The problem will result in increased steering effort, a warning message in the instrument cluster, and an audible warning chime. Continue reading →

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Lemon Law Buyback

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The owner of a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, bought in November 2013, started experiencing repeated problems with his SUV shortly after purchasing it. The first repair attempt was in December 2013 with an additional five more repair opportunities at his Jeep dealership. These problems included a defective transmission, suspension, and alignment; which made the Grand Cherokee difficult to drive. This is when the owner decided to call the Law Offices of Delsack & Associates, P.C. for advice. Continue reading →

2015 Chevy Colorado & GMC Canyon Incorrect Airbag Deployment

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General Motors will be asking owners of certain 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and 2015 GMC Canyon trucks to return to a dealer to repair a problem affecting the drivers airbag. The defect was discovered during routine diagnostic testing in which a GM technician found an incorrect diagnostic trouble code in the vehicle. An investigation discovered that the airbag connections were incorrectly manufactured, reversing the deployment sequence and timing of the driver airbag stages. This condition will cause the driver airbags to not function as designed, increasing the chance of injury. Continue reading →

BMW Loss Of Power Brakes

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BMW will be asking approximately nine thousand sedan, crossover, and roadster owners to return their vehicles to a manufacturer repair facility for a safety defect that could result in the loss of oil supply to the vacuum pump. Due to an insufficient interference fit, the seal disk in the camshaft could move during engine operation, potentially restricting or blocking the oil supply holes. Over time, the pump could fail resulting in loss of power assist braking and an increased chance of an accident. (Even with loss of assist, the service brake control is able to stop the vehicle because affected vehicles meet the applicable FMVSS pertaining to conditions in which there is a loss of power assist braking.) Continue reading →

Infiniti Hybrid Sedan Transmission Defect

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Infiniti is alerting owners of certain 2013-2015 hybrid sedans of a safety defect with their vehicles transmission software. In the affected vehicles, the Engine Control Module (ECM) is designed to go into fail safe mode and partially close the electronic throttle chamber if it detects a signal interruption from either one of the two Throttle Position Sensors (TPS). A programming error could lead to the electronic throttle chamber gradually opening regardless of the throttle position, resulting in the acceleration of the vehicle. Although the acceleration can be overcome by normal application of the brakes, the issue could increase the risk of an accident. Continue reading →