Category Archives: Chevrolet

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

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.

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

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.

2021 Cadillac, Chevrolet And GMC Trucks Steering Warning Indicator

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General Motors has decided that a problem affecting vehicle steering exists in certain 2021 Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC trucks. GM opened an investigation into the condition after receiving a field report of loss of power steering assist in a 2021 GMC Yukon.

According to the defect report, diagnostic trouble code (DTC) data obtained from the vehicle indicated that the power steering system may contain a software error that causes loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving. Vehicle testing demonstrated that manual steering remained available without power assist, but increased steering effort was required, particularly at lower speeds. In most cases, the malfunction indicator light will display on the instrument panel and a warning chime will sound. The condition is typically self-corrected at the next ignition cycle.

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

GM will update the software in the vehicles’ power steering module. Owners will have the opportunity to accept these software changes using wireless over-the-air (OTA) technology without having to bring their vehicle to a dealership. Alternatively, owners may schedule to have the updates performed at a GM dealer. A certain number of vehicles that were part of GM’s captured test fleet will require replacement of the steering gear motor kit in order to receive the updated software.

GM’s number for this recall is N212333900 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-455.

Airbag Warning Light May Not Illuminate In GM Vehicles

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General Motors has decided that a defect relating to vehicle safety exists in certain 2021 model year Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles.

In April 2021, a Problem Resolution and Tracking System (PRTS) issue was opened following validation testing for a future model year vehicles, where it was noted some conditions in which loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM) did not illuminate the airbag malfunction indicator lamp. GM opened an investigation in May 2021. A review of field data showed 19 warranty claims possibly linked to this condition.

According to the defect report, a software problem exists in some of these vehicles which would cause a SDM communications fault to illuminate the airbag malfunction indicator lamp, but only on alternating ignition cycles. As a result, an SDM communications fault would not consistently illuminate the airbag light on every ignition cycle to indicate a problem to the driver.

A driver might not be warned of an SDM loss of communication fault which might indicate a problem with airbag deployment. If airbags do not deploy appropriately in a crash, there is an increased risk of injury.

Description of the Cause : The Communications Gateway Module, also referred to as the serial data gateway module, software does not correctly store data indicating loss of communication with the SDM.

Vehicles Affected Include
2021 Buick Envision
2021 Cadillac CT4
2021 Cadillac CT5
2021 Cadillac Escalade
2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2021 Chevrolet Corvette
2021 Chevrolet Suburban
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
2021 GMC Yukon
2021 GMC Yukon XL

GM dealers will correct the problem by updating the software for the communications gateway module. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed in July 2021. GM’s number for this recall is N212338110 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-421.

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.