GM Issued a Huge Recall for Its Diesel Trucks and SUVs

Nearly 500,000 full-size body-on-frame rigs like the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Yukon could lock up their rear wheels.

2021 Chevrolet Silverado HD New Max Tow Rating

Photo by: Chevrolet

Christopher Smith

By: Christopher Smith

Nov 15, 2024 at 4:30pm ET

Add Motor1.com as a preferred source in Google

Comment

General Motors has recalled 461,839 full-size trucks and SUVs with diesel engines for a transmission issue that could cause the rear wheels to lock up. The problem affects all trims of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra from 2020 through 2022, including 1500, 2500, 3500 models. The Chevy Suburban and Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade from 2021 are also included in the recall.

Excessive wear to a control valve in these transmissions could lead to harsh shifting. According to documents filed at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this could lead to a condition where a harsh downshift might lock up the rear wheels. A GM engineer first reported the potential problem in June 2024 after learning about an incident involving a 2021 GMC Sierra 2500 pulling a trailer. An initial investigation by the automaker determined that potential lock-up wouldn’t be long enough to cause a loss of control, but continued analysis ultimately found otherwise.

2021 Chevrolet Silverado HD New Max Towing

Photo by: Chevrolet

As of mid-September, GM noted 1,888 reports of lock-ups possibly related to this issue. Among those were some reports of property damage from vehicles sliding off the road. There are three reports of minor injuries connected to lock-up, though none happened due to collisions.

What do you think?

View

Comments

The fix doesn’t involve replacing faulty valves. Instead, GM will add a software update that monitors the transmission for excessive valve wear and hard shifting. In theory, it will set a check engine light “approximately 10,000 miles” before a potential lock-up condition and limit the transmission to fifth gear. Dealer notification for the recall is already underway; specific owner notification will begin in early December.

As you might imagine, a majority of the 461,839 affected vehicles are pickup trucks. Only 1,502 Escalades fall under the recall, with 5,182 Yukons and 6,383 Suburbans/Tahoes included.

More Recalls:

Tesla Has Recalled the Cybertruck—Again

Ford Is Facing the Second-Largest Recall Fine In NHTSA History