General Motors is initiating a recall of nearly 462,000 pickup trucks and large SUVs equipped with diesel engines in response to a potential defect that could cause the rear wheels to lock up, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
The recall in the United States involves specific Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra models, including the 1500, 2500, and 3500 series, produced between the 2020 and 2022 model years. Also affected are the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Suburban.
Documents posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website indicate that the issue arises from a transmission control valve that can wear out over time. In rare instances, this valve may fail, leading to the lock-up of the rear wheels. Prior to this, drivers might experience harsh shifting as an early warning sign.
To address the issue, GM announced that dealers would install updated transmission control software designed to monitor the valve for signs of excessive wear up to 10,000 miles before a lock-up might occur. If the software detects wear, the transmission will be restricted to fifth gear to prevent wheel lock-up, which typically happens during downshifts from eighth gear.
General Motors will offer warranty coverage for the repair of transmissions with defective control valves.
Owners will receive notification of the recall via letters sent on December 9.
Documents reveal that GM first discussed a customer complaint about the problem with U.S. safety regulators in January, prompting the company to begin an investigation in July. By September, a GM investigator had identified 1,888 reports of potential wheel lock-up related to this issue. Furthermore, the company identified 11 incidents possibly connected to the situation, some of which involved vehicles veering off the road and causing minor property damage. Three minor injuries were reported, though GM clarified these were not associated with any crashes.
