General Motors is initiating a recall for 461,839 pickup trucks and SUVs with diesel engines due to a possible transmission problem that may cause the rear wheels to lock up.
According to the NHTSA, a transmission control valve in the affected models may be vulnerable to excessive wear over time. This wear could lead to a gradual reduction of pressure within the valve, which is responsible for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid that facilitates gear shifts and connects the engine to the driven wheels.
The NHTSA indicated that a loss of pressure could result in rough shifting or, in rare instances, brief rear-wheel lockup. This latter issue specifically occurs when the vehicles’ 10-speed automatic transmissions shift down from eighth gear to fifth gear.
GM informed the NHTSA that it is aware of 11 incidents possibly linked to this fault, including instances where trucks drifted off the road, leading to minor property damage in some cases. Three minor injuries have been reported connected to these occurrences, although none involved a collision, according to GM.
The automaker estimates that the defect may be present in 1% of the following diesel-equipped vehicles:
- 2021 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV three-row SUVs
- 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe three-row SUV
- 2021 Chevrolet Suburban three-row SUV
- 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 full-size pickup truck
- 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 heavy-duty pickup truck
- 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 heavy-duty pickup truck
- 2020-2022 GMC Sierra 1500 full-size pickup truck
- 2020-2022 GMC Sierra 2500 heavy-duty pickup truck
- 2020-2022 GMC Sierra 3500 heavy-duty pickup truck
- 2021 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL three-row SUV
The solution for this issue involves new transmission-control software that will monitor the performance of the valve and identify excessive wear. If such wear is detected, the software will restrict the transmission to fifth gear to avert wheel lockup. Although this will prevent the locking condition, it may result in sluggish acceleration. Drivers may also notice an engine-service warning light and a reduced propulsion message on the dashboard.
Dealers will install the software at no cost to customers, and GM will also reimburse those who have already paid for repairs related to this defect. Owner notification letters are set to be mailed on December 9. Vehicle owners can reach out to GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or visit GM’s recall page for additional details, referencing recall number N242454440.
Additionally, owners can contact customer service for the specific brands, including 1-800-458-8006 for Cadillac, 1-800-222-1020 for Chevrolet, and 1-800-462-8782 for GMC.
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