Category Archives: General Motors

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

Fuel Pump Failure In 2021 General Motors Full Size SUVs

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In July 2021 General Motors (GM) opened an investigation into fuel pump failures after a review of warranty data from certain 2021 GM full size SUVs. The data showed that there was a higher than expected rate of fuel pump control modules replaced for vehicles built within certain months. As part of the investigation, GM looked at the returned parts replaced in warranty claims and found the condition was caused by a manufacturing issue at the Tier 3 supplier.

According to the defect report, certain 2021 Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC full size SUVs may have been manufactured with fuel pump power control modules which contain a defect that can cause the fuel pump to fail or operate intermittently. When this happens, fuel flow to the engine will be interrupted and the vehicle could unexpectedly stall.

The Vehicles Affected Include:
2021 Cadillac Escalade
2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2021 Chevrolet Suburban
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
2021 GMC Yukon
2021 GMC Yukon XL

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the fuel pump power control module replaced. GM’s number for this recall is N212332040 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-739.

Chevrolet Equinox And GMC Terrain Tire Tread Separation

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General Motors have decided that a defect affecting vehicle safety exists in certain Hankook tires installed as original equipment on some 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles.

In July 2021, GM’s Speak Up For Safety program received information that two tires, received through GM warranty return, had suffered delamination. In June, the owner of a 2021 GMC Terrain brought their vehicle to a GM dealer with complaints of vibration and thumping noises while driving. The dealership noted that the owner had a previous issue with a tire on a road trip that resulted in tire replacement. Both tires were shipped to the supplier. GM became aware of a third tire potentially related to this condition in July. All three tires were from DOT number 0521. GM initiated a yard hold and sort for vehicles equipped with tires from that DOT number. Through testing Hankook determined that the delamination was caused by an insufficient amount of curative agent in a particular batch of rubber. In July Hankook informed GM that they intended to issue a tire recall. GM is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this condition and have decided to conduct a safety recall.

Delamination of tread may occur at high speeds. The tire will likely not deflate or burst, but the tread separation might compromise vehicle handling and/or cause a crash. Warning signs that your tires are delaminated include noise or feel vibration while driving and/or a bulge in the tread may also be noticeable.

Dealers will inspect the tire DOT numbers and replace any affected tires. GM’s number for this recall is N212343560 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-612.

Don’t Park Your Chevrolet Bolt In Your Garage Or Near Structures – Fire Warning

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If you are a Chevy Bolt owner living in California and you received a recall notice for battery fires, you may find it difficult to park your vehicle.

General Motor’s recent recall of certain 2017-2019 Chevy Bolt EVs is caused by the presence of two manufacturing defects in the N2.1 battery cell produced at their Korea facility. The problem is aggravated by charging the battery to a full or nearly full state of charge after it has been substantially depleted. The battery could overheat, emit smoke and catch fire, causing damage to vehicle components and structures around it. As a temporary solution, GM have asked owners to reprogram their hybrid propulsion control module to limit a full charge, but some owners say they are experiencing problems.

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.

What options does that leave you? Possibly parking your car on the street or driveway which has problems in itself. Most charging cables are not long enough to reach the street, the cables could be damaged or stolen or someone could trip on them. Also in some cities there are restrictions against parking in the street and driveways.

If you own a Chevy Bolt and are concerned, we will be glad to talk with you. Please contact us today at 888-EX-Lemon (888-395-3666) for a free consultation or complete the short form at the top of this page.

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.

Chevrolet Silverado And GMC Sierra 2500/3500 – Potential Engine Fire

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General Motors have identified a problem affecting certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500/3500 trucks manufactured with the Duramax diesel 6.6 litre engine and the optional block-heater power cable.

Contamination of the sealing surface of the block-heater heater element can allow a coolant leak to develop. If leaking coolant contacts the block heater cable terminals while the cable is plugged into an energy source a short could occur.

In February 2021, a GM quality manager submitted a report to GM’s Speak Up For Safety program after inspecting an engine-block heater recovered from a 2019 model year Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The owner reported sparking from under the hood after the engine block heater was plugged in. The block heater was leaking coolant, and the engineer observed thermal damage at the connection between the heater and the block heater power cable. This vehicle had previously been fixed for this condition under NHTSA recall 19V-328.

Further investigation identified nineteen potential fires involving engine-block heaters in vehicles remedied under 19V-328. Based on this data, GM opened a formal product investigation and found 122 complaints and 24 reports of potential fires between December 3, 2019 and May 28, 2021 involving vehicles that received the recall remedy under 19V-328. Based on this data GM decided to conduct a safety recall on these vehicles.

Vehicles Affected Include
2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
2017-2019 GMC Sierra 2500
2017-2019 GMC Sierra 3500

Dealers will disable the block heater. GM will provide free replacement block heaters and cords under a separate customer satisfaction campaign. For vehicles previously included in recall 19V-328, the heater cord will be replaced and rerouted. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 16, 2021. GM’s number for this recall is 212329840 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-496.

California Lemon Law Buyback For 2016 GMC Acadia

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Our client bought a 2016 GMC Acadia,

In September our client took his Acadia to the authorized GMC Dealership because the A/C on the rear driver’s side and rear passenger side was blowing warm air.

The next visit was on September 25th because the check engine light was on and the vehicle seemed to be idling rough. After filling up the gas the vehicle did not want to start. Also, the A/C stopped working. A light would come on and flash but would not stay solid.

The vehicle was back at the dealership on October 17th because there was a hissing noise coming from the vents and the rear A/C was blowing warm air.

Our client was back at the dealership on December 20th because there was a noise coming from the engine. When turning off the vehicle there is a winding down noise. While using the A/C there is a bubbling noise. Also, the brakes were squeaking and making a bubble noise.

The next visit to the dealership for servicing was on February 6, 2019. The first concern was that when the vehicle was idling and the heater or A/C was on, it was making a bubbling noise. Another concern was the ambient lighting on the front passenger side was inop. The 12 volt charger in the rear was inop. When putting the lift gate up there is a very large clunking noise. The driver’s side door outer belt molding was deformed. The brake pedal was making noises.

The last visit was on February 19th and the ambient lighting on the passenger side by the glove box was inop. They were hearing a light bulb bubble noise from the dash. Also the A/C light button had flashed three times.

It was shortly thereafter that we heard from our soon to be client. They spoke with Barry and sent him some documents to review. Soon after they signed a retainer agreement and a demand letter was sent to General Motors Corporation to repurchase their vehicle under the California Lemon Law. GMC agreed to buyback the Acadia, pay off the balance, reimburse him for the down payment and any payments made, pay off the balance less the mileage fee allowed under the California Lemon Law. They also paid all the attorney fees.

Our client was very happy with the buyback of his vehicle. If you think you might be driving a lemon because of repeat problems that the dealership is unable to fix, please call 888-395-3666 for a free consultation.

GM 2nd Quarter Sales Increase 40 Percent

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General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) announced it sold 688,236 vehicles in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2021 – an increase of 40 percent compared to a year ago – in a unique market bolstered by strong customer demand, but constrained by low inventories resulting from the global semiconductor shortage.

“The U.S. economy is accelerating, consumer spending is robust and jobs are plentiful,” said Elaine Buckberg, GM chief economist. “Consumer demand for vehicles is also strong, but constrained by very tight inventories. We expect continued high demand in the second half of this year and into 2022.”

“The agility and creativity of our supply chain, purchasing, engineering and manufacturing teams, in collaboration with our suppliers and dealers, have helped us continue to satisfy customers and gain market share in some of the highest demand segments of the market,” said Kurt McNeil, U.S. vice president, Sales Operations.

GM is well positioned in 2021 to lead the industry in full-size and mid-size pickup sales for the seventh consecutive year. During the quarter, GM earned 40.6 percent of the retail market for full-size pickups, up 4.5 percentage points year over year (J.D. Power PIN), with more than 237,000 Chevrolet Silverados and GMC Sierras sold in the quarter.

The company is taking steps to meet customers’ future needs, especially in capacity-constrained segments:

GM announced that production of HD pickups will increase by about 1,000 trucks per month beginning in mid-July as a result of production line efficiencies delivered by the team at Flint Assembly in Michigan.
Also, GM will return full-size pickup production to Oshawa Assembly in Canada at the end of 2021.
Shipments of Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon mid-size pickups built at Wentzville Assembly in Missouri increase by about 30,000 total units from mid-May through early July as the team completes dynamic vehicle testing on units held at the plant due to semiconductor supply disruptions.

GM ended the quarter with 211,974 units in inventory, down from 334,628 at the end of the first quarter.

  • Chevrolet Bolt EV delivers record second-quarter and first-half deliveries.
  • Buick sales rise 86 percent on strong demand for new Encore GX, redesigned Envision, and Enclave, creating the brand’s best quarter in more than 15 years.
  • GMC records best second quarter and best first half since 2005 driven by Yukon and Yukon XL.
  • Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra sales up a combined 36 percent, with light-duty models posting strong segment share gains.
  • Cadillac’s second quarter retail sales were its best since 2015.

Click Here to read the full report.

2018 Cadillac Escalade – GM Lemon Law Buyback

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Our client was happy to buy a 2018 Cadillac Escalade.

On March 21, 2018 he took it in to the authorized Cadillac dealership because the service stabilitrak warning light would intermittently come on. The car was at the dealership for 16 days.

On December 6 he brought the Escalade back into the dealership because the service stabilitrak light was flashing and then stayed on. The service airbag light was on, too. The vehicle was in the shop for 11 days this time.

The last visit was on March 21, 2019. Our client brought the vehicle back to the dealership because the airbag light was on. The service stabilitrak message was on again. The vehicle was in the shop for 6 days this visit.

Our client called a few months later as someone had told him about the California Lemon Law. He spoke with attorney Barry L. Edzant and emailed some documents for Barry to review. He signed a retainer agreement shortly thereafter and a demand letter was sent to General Motors Corporation.

GMC decided to buy back the vehicle under the CA Lemon Law. They reimbursed our client for his down payment, all monthly payments made so far, his registration, paid off the balance of the loan minus a usage fee the manufacturer is entitled to under the law and paid the attorney fees.

If you are concerned that your vehicle may be a lemon, please call our office at 888-395-3666. We handle cases throughout the state of California.