Excess gas –– we’ve all had it, no-one likes it, and the same holds true for your braking system. This problem may cause your brake pedal to feel “spongy” but it’s unclear if it affects stopping distances.
This story originally appeared on ChevroletProblems.com.
]]>General Motors is recalling 327 model year 2016 Buick Envision SUVs because the master cylinder brake lines may crack and leak brake fluid.
This recall was announced last month. If you haven't heard from Buick it's likely you're vehicle was not recalled, but you can call them to be sure at 800-521-7300 (use recall number 16169).
* I will not apologize for my bad puns
]]>A new lawsuit wants GM to pony up more cash for the decreased resale value of the 2016 Chevy Traverse, Buick Enclave, and GMC Acadia.
"The GM lawsuit says consumers who purchased those SUVs believed the vehicles were EPA-rated at 17 miles per gallon in city driving and 24 miles per gallon on the highway, resulting in a combined rating of 19 mpg. However, the plaintiffs say the Traverse, Enclave and Acadia are in fact rated at 15 mpg in city driving and 22 mpg on the highway, resulting in a combined rating of 17 mpg."
Listen, I get it – GM advertised one thing and produced another. That's no good. But if someone is looking to buy a large used SUV, then I'm not convinced that 2 MPGs are a deal breaker.
]]>“GM opened an investigation into the issue in June and contacted Delphi, the supplier of the sensing and diagnostic module. The automaker gathered additional electronic data recorder records from other incidents where the same crash symptoms occurred.”
After three days of road tests in September 2016, GM ordered the recall. The affected GMC vehicles include the Sierra lineup as well as the Yukon.
]]>General Motors found fuel lines that were not shaped correctly, causing the lines to touch the engines once installed in the vehicles. The supplier investigated and determined the machine operator responsible for the lines apparently wasn't trained well enough.
Perhaps --- and I'm really going out on a limb here --- any person responsible for the safe travel of fuel through a hot maze of metal should have a good idea what the heck they're doing.
]]>"GM’s investigation revealed that 2011 Regal vehicles equipped with 8-way power adjustable front seats built at the GM-Opel Russelsheim plant in Germany had a potential for wiring harness chafing. Then the problem seems to have intensified because the automaker thought it made improvements during production but now says the changes may not have helped."
The problem was first pointed out 8 months ago, that's a lot of charred bun potential. And while you might think that big of a problem would light a fire under GM's butt (pun fully intended), you'd be wrong --- GM still doesn't know when the recall will begin.
]]>"In June 2016 General Motors was notified by dealers that two SUVs had incorrect tire and loading information labels concerning the maximum combined weight of occupants and cargo. GM opened an investigation and found a discrepancy in the weight ratings specified on the vehicles’ certification which should have read a maximum combined weight of occupants and cargo of 952 lbs."
GM has no clue ... when the recall will begin, that is.
]]>GM determined the SUVs were sold with an overstated fuel economy of 1 to 2 miles per gallon, so compensation will be offered based on the difference between advertised and actual miles per gallon. Estimates are 135,000 customers purchased or leased the SUVs and 40,000 more vehicles are currently used for corporate fleet vehicles.
GM promises to work with the EPA to correct their labels and will reportedly compensate 135,000 owners, including those that own a 2016 Enclave.
]]>General Motors says they need to replace the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear assemblies. They just didn't say when they'll do it.
]]>Well, for some reason GM isn't a fan of that idea. In fact, they're taking this problem so seriously that they'll arrange to pick up your vehicle the next time it rains. That's right, GM doesn't want you driving your SUV even when it sprinkles.
The problem was first recalled back in June of 2013 but "the fix" didn't work. So GM turned around and issued a recall of the recall -- a re-recall? This time they vowed to be super-duper sure they got it right. And when you're both super and duper sure, you better be right -- so they asked owners to hold tight (and keep parking outside) while they got the parts together.
So owners waited. And they waited.
Garages sat empty. Lonely. Unfulfilled.
If you ever saw your window switch smoldering or thought the waiting game was crazy, share this story on Twitter or Facebook._
The wait is finally over ... well, kind of. GM says they're ready to give this another shot and will start sending out recall notices soon to owners of the f2006-2007 Buick Rainier.
Note: This recall also includes the 2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x, 2006 Chevy Trailblazer EXT, 2006 GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2007 Chevy Trailblazer, 2006-2007 GMC Envoy, and 2006-2007 Isuzu Ascender.
]]>GM hasn't announced when the heater block recall will begin, but let's hope it happens before snow flakes start falling. To fix the issue, GM dealers will replace the heater cord with a new cord that is rated for temperatures of minus 40 degrees Celsius or, as we here in Vermont like to call it, just another brisk February morning.
Concerned owners can contact Buick customer service at 800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 800-222-1020 and refer to recall number 14257.
]]>Side note for our city-driver friends: turn signals are a safety device used to indicate which direction you intend to go -- you should try it sometime (I kid ... sort of)!
The Fix: Your car's body control module will be reprogrammed.
The Affected models: 2011-2013 Buick Regal and 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
Next Steps: There's no word from GM on when the recall is slated to begin, but keep an eye on your mailbox for an official recall notice soon. Not literally though -- putting your eye on the mailbox sounds painful and will probably alarm your neighbors. Questions or concerns? Give Chevrolet a ring at: 800-222-1020
]]>For perspective, that's more defective cars and trucks than:
According to GM, this round of problems is responsible for at least 7 crashes, 8 injuries and 3 deaths. The full list and details can be found here.
About 20,000 vehicles have insulation on the engine block heater cord that can become damaged in very cold conditions. Less than 3,000 of these vehicles are in the US, so most are likely to be found in Canada where it gets colder than an Iced Capp from Tim Hortons in February.
It's worth noting that not all cars come equipped with engine block heaters and those without are not affected.
GM has not announced when the recall will begin. That might have something to do with the queue of 29 million vehicles waiting for repairs. In the coming months, keep an eye on your mailbox for an official recall notice with more details. Not literally though -- putting your eye on the mailbox sounds painful and might worry the neighbors.
Or try giving Chevrolet a call at 800-222-1020.
]]>Much to the chagrin of ghost-hunters across the country, this is not some prank of the undead, but instead the result of a poorly spliced wire in the driver's door. To address the issue, over 15,000 model year Lacrosse vehicles are being recalled. Dealers will inspect the driver door window motor harness and, if needed, make a nicer splice.
NHTSA has not announced when the recall will begin, but GM says in the meantime to keep an eye out for recall notices in the mail. In your other meantime, do whatever it is one does with mean time.
Concerned owners can contact 800-521-7300 with questions, but probably not with exorcism requests.
]]>Extra weight on your key can inadvertently knock the ignition out of the 'run' position and, as GM puts it, "have an effect on" certain safety systems like power steering, braking and airbags. That effect? Completely disabling them. Guess it's time to retire that Mickey Mouse key chain.
There have already been 8 crashes and 6 injuries related to this specific problem, in addition to the 13 deaths and multiple injuries associated with previous recalls.
This action brings the number of recalled GM vehicles for ignition switch issues to about 5.4 million. The cars affected are the 2005-2009 Lacrosse 2006-2011 Lucerne.
Unlike other recalls where the ignition switch is replaced, this one seems pretty easy -- GM will rework the key by adding an insert to prevent you from attaching large items to it. There is no word on when the recall will begin but until then you can remove all unnecessary weight from your key chain and only drive with the ignition key.
]]>The 2013-2014 Chevrolet Spark and 2013 Buick Encore have an end cap that could separate from the airbag inflator, rendering it useless. Without an inflator, the airbags won't ... well, inflate. That means you'll become a lot friendlier with your steering wheel than you'd prefer in the event of a crash.
The problem only affects 61 vehicles, but for those 61 owners it's important they get their cars in for repairs. Unfortunately, there's no word on when the recall will begin. Be on the lookout for a notice in the mail.
Concerned owners can contact Chevy at 800-222-1020 or Buick at 800-521-7300.
]]>At this point, if you have a GM vehicle that was built in the last 10 years that hasn't been recalled, I wouldn't blame you for starting to feel a little left out. Well, welcome to the GM recall club -- although I warn you, it's getting pretty crowded in here.
We're all used to having certain parts of our cars wear down over time and eventually needing to replace them -- stuff like tires, brakes, timing belts, seat belts ... wait, seat belts? Yep. At least for GM who just recalled 1.4 million SUVs and told dealers to stop selling any new or used inventory because a cable in the front seat belt can wear down and break over time. Putting on a broken seat belt is like a bit like putting on a parachute without buckling it ... it looks safe and all, but that's about it.
The following cars are affected:
GM dealers will repair and replace the lap pretensioner. No date has been set for the recall. Owners can contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Buick at 1-800-521-7300 and GMC at 1-800-462-8782.
]]>You see, despite the fact that it's glaringly obvious, GM got it wrong and installed rear brake rotors on the front brake systems of 8,590 vehicles.
Will the brakes still work? Sure, but at a diminished capacity. Rear rotors are typically much smaller than front rotors, since front brakes require more stopping power due to the weight shift of the car. The problem affects the following models:
No recall schedule has been announced. If you haven't heard, GM currently has their hands full with federal investigations, class-action lawsuits and a whole slew of other recalls. But once the recall begins, dealers will replace the front rotors and pads if needed.
Be on the lookout for a notice in the mail, or share your quiz answer with Buick at 800-521-7300.
]]>How bad is it? In a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), GM said a defective engine control module (ECM) "may result in inaccurate fuel gauge readings at both the high and low end of the fuel range by as much as one quarter of a tank."
Do I smell a new marketing slogan opportunity? GM: our gas gauges are only off by 25%!
The gauge can be fixed by adjusting the vehicles' software and the fix won't cost owners anything once the recall starts. Keep an eye out for an official notice in the mail. The affected vehicles include:
Perhaps a bit sensitive following multiple critiques of how they handled power steering and ignition switch recalls that resulted in injuries, GM was quick to point out that:
"The company doesn't know of any crashes or injuries related to the problem"
Nope, just some families left stranded by the side of the road, left to make the long walk of shame to the nearest gas station. If you find yourself making that walk and want to pass the time, give GM a ring and reference recall 14007 -- you can reach Buick at 800-521-7300, Chevy at 800-222-1020, and GMC at 800-462-8782.
]]>Now GM has announced a new series of recalls affecting 1.5 million additional vehicles. It'd be pretty hard to tarnish their image any further, so they probably figure they can just sneak these recalls in now.
If you listen really closely I think you can hear the entire GM PR team weeping.
Most of the vehicles in this latest recall have -- wait for it -- defective airbags that can fail in a crash. This defect, however, isn't related to the ignition switch (as if that's supposed to provide you with any relief). Instead, a faulty wiring harness in the following vehicles can disable the side airbags:
GM dealers will replace the affected harness connections with soldered connections. They just haven't announced when yet. Concerned owners can contact GM (contact information below) and reference recall number 14030.
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