General Motors have decided that a defect relating to vehicle safety exists in certain 2017-2018 GMC and Chevy front wheel drive vehicles. According to the defect report, the drive shaft supplier’s quality check for metal hardening may have not been calibrated properly, limiting the likelihood of crack detection. If cracks exist, the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly could fracture and separate.

If the drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle could roll-away. The models affected include:

  • 2018 Chevrolet Equinox
  • 2017-2018 GMC Acadia
  • 2018 GMC Terrain

Dealers will correct the problem by replacing the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM’s number for this recall is 17329 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-516.

General Motors will be contacting the owners of certain 2014 Chevy Silverado and 2014 GMC Sierra trucks regarding a problem affecting their vehicles safety. According to the defect report filed with the NHTSA, these vehicles could experience a temporary loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist during low speed turns. If power steering assist is lost, the driver may experience problems with the radio, stablilitrack, driver information center, chimes, door locks, air conditioning or cruise control.

Owners will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the EPS module software updated. For more information about the recall, owners can contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-432-8782. GM’s number for this recall is 17276. and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-414.

General Motors has decided that certain 2014-2016 Chevrolet SS cars may have a defect affecting vehicle safety. According to the defect report, corrosion on the connector between the electric power steering (EPS) module and the torque sensor could result in loss of assisted steering. If power steering is lost, manual steering functionality will be retained, but an increased effort will be needed steer the vehicle. Drivers will also be alerted through a malfunction indicator light and warning chime.

Dealers will inspect the steering gear assembly and replace it as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM’s number for this recall is 17248 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-382.

General Motors has decided that certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Cruze vehicles may fail to conform to the Federal Safety Standards for crash protection. According to the defect report, a bracket used in the driver and front passenger seat back recliner mechanism may have been incorrectly welded to the seat back frame. During a crash, the front seat head restraints could separate, increasing the risk of injury to occupants.

Those receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the front passenger seats inspected and replaced as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM’s number for this recall is 17035 and the NHTSA campaign number is 17V-057.

General Motors will be contacting the owners of certain 2017 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles regarding a problem affecting their vehicles airbag safety. According to reports filed with the NHTSA, the right-hand rear side airbag may have weak welds on the inflator manifold. In the event of a right-side impact, this defect can cause inflator components to separate and propel debris or hot gas into the interior compartment. It is also possible that the airbag may inflate partially or not at all.

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their dealers to have the rear side airbag module replaced. For more information about the problem, owners are asked to contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM’s number for this recall is 16146 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-870.

The Law Offices of Delsack & Associates P.C. were contacted by the owner of a 2014 Chevrolet Corvette who believed his vehicle was a lemon. He had complained to GM many times about the problems he was having and had given his dealership five (5) opportunities to fix the defects.

He told us the engine had been replaced, the air bag warning light was always on, the engine would repeatedly overheat, there was a clunking noise in the front end during slow turns, and the car would stall at low RPMs. Repairs on the transmission included replacement of the dual mass flywheel and the clutch pressure plate. Additionally, the Corvette had been fixed under two separate technical service bulletins. TSB PI-1276: Repairs to the transmission to correct difficult shifting and a “mushy” shifting feeling. TSB PIE0302: Repairs to the transmission to correct difficult shifting from 1st or 2nd gear, clunk/grind/rattle noises, clutch pedal noise, and general poor operation. Continue reading

General Motors will be contacting the owners of certain 2014-2017 Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles, about a problem affecting the airbag deployment system. The recall was initiated after a report was filed in GM’s “Seak Up for Safety” system, relating to a fatal crash involving a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado truck. According to the recall report, the sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) in certain vehicles may have a software defect which could prevent the deployment of frontal airbags and pretensioners.

The vehicles involved in this recall include:
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General Motors has decided that a defect relating to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid vehicles equipped with a manual service disconnect (MSD).

The MSD is a shut-off switch designed to disconnect power before servicing. In some vehicles, the MSD was not installed properly and could become loose and disconnect while driving. The engine will stall and may affect the driver’s ability to control the vehicle.

Dealers will inspect the MSD and seat the connector properly, if necessary. A software update will also be installed to monitor and detect if the high voltage interlock loop (HIVL) is connected correctly. Owners wanting more information about the problem are asked to contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM’s number for this recall is 51230 and the NHTSA campaign number is 16V-521.