GM Auto Recalls and Defects
General Motors Corporation (GM) is the largest automaker in the United States and, until it was displaced by Toyota in 2008, it was the largest auto manufacturer in the world. GM’s core brands are Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, and GMC (trucks and SUVs). GM’s vehicles have earned generally good marks for safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but that does not mean they are without flaw.
GM customers and government regulators have identified a long list of defects leading GM to issue high-profile recalls. Even in recent years, GM vehicles have been recalled for exploding airbags, blinding headlights, faulty brakes, engine problems, and a number of other issues. We’ve compiled a list of several recent recalls and defects below.
Check your vehicle identification number on the GM website or the NHTSA website to determine if your vehicle is or was subject to a recall. If you bought or leased a GM and discovered a significant defect, if your GM auto is subject to a recall, or if you were injured due to a defective GMC vehicle, you have important legal rights. The Lemon Law attorney at Nita Lemon Law Firm is here to help.
2015 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia: Airbag Explosion
Owners of model year 2015 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles should have been notified by the end of May 2022 about a serious airbag defect. The vehicles were equipped with faulty airbag inflators which may explode upon deployment. Explosions can send sharp metal fragments flying at the driver or other vehicle occupants, causing serious injury and increasing the risk of exacerbating the crash. Dealerships should replace the faulty airbag for free, and anyone injured by a faulty airbag deployment should contact an attorney for compensation.
GM recalled several 2015-2016 GMC Sierras and Chevy Silverados last August for a similar airbag deployment issue. The sudden compressed gas release created the risk of jettisoning the inflator rupture cap or other components at vehicle occupants.
2010-2017 GMC Terrain: Blinding Headlight Glare
In March 2022, GMC issued a massive recall covering more than 740,000 GMC Terrains, spanning model years 2010 through 2017. The recall addressed the Terrain’s low-beam headlights that failed to conform with federal safety standards. The headlights are brighter than permitted and may cause excess light above the driver and outside the driver’s view. In essence, the poorly-designed lights are likely to cause glare for other drivers on the road, preventing them from seeing oncoming traffic and other hazards. If your headlights blind other drivers, the risk of a crash is severe.
2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL: Defective Fuel Pump
GMC recalled close to 15,000 2021 2021 Cadillac Escalades and Escalade ESVs, Chevy Suburbans and Tahoes, as well as GMC Yukon and Yukon XLs due to a faulty fuel pump. The pump’s power control module can fail or operate intermittently, interrupting the flow of fuel to the engine and leading to an unexpected stall. If it occurs during vehicle operation, engine stalling greatly increases the risk of a crash.
2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado GMC Sierra: Engine Fire
In August 2021, GM issued a notice that it was recalling more than 330,000 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500 and 2017-2019 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles due to a risk of engine fire. Vehicles equipped with a Duramax diesel 6.6-liter engine and optional engine-block heater cords faced the risk of an electrical short, which could lead to a spontaneous fire.
If Your GMC Is Defective, Nita Lemon Law Is Here for You
If you bought or leased a defective GMC Terrain, GMC Sierra, GMC Canyon, Chevy Traverse, Chevy Silverado, Buick Enclave, Acadia, or any other faulty car in California, you have the right to get the product you paid for or get your money back. If you or someone you care about was hurt because of a dangerously defective product, you have the right to seek compensation, and the right to seek justice. The California Lemon Law team at Nita Lemon Law Firm is ready to help.