General Motors (GM) has announced a significant recall affecting nearly 462,000 of its diesel-engine SUVs and pickup trucks in the United States due to a critical transmission control valve issue. This defect can lead to rear wheel lockup, substantially increasing the risk of vehicle crashes.
The automaker stated that drivers of the affected GMC and Chevrolet vehicles might notice harsh shifting prior to any potential wheel lockup events. According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a faulty transmission control valve in certain vehicles may experience excessive wear over time. This wear can result in a gradual loss of pressure within the valve, causing harsh shifting. In rare, but critically dangerous instances, this issue can escalate to momentary rear wheel lockup.
One alarming complaint filed with NHTSA by a Chevrolet Silverado 2500 driver detailed a harrowing experience while towing an 8,000-lb trailer uphill. The driver reported the truck shuddered, then violently downshifted, causing the vehicle to skid and nearly jackknife the truck and trailer. This incident underscores the serious safety implications of the transmission defect prompting this Gmc Truck Recall.
The recall encompasses a range of popular GM models, including:
- 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500
- 2020-2022 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500
- 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL
Image: Official NHTSA recall document for GM transmission issue, outlining affected models and safety risks.
To address this critical GMC truck recall, GM dealers will implement a free remedy involving the installation of updated transmission control module software. This new software is designed to proactively monitor the transmission control valve for excessive wear. It is engineered to detect potential issues approximately 10,000 miles before any wheel lockup is likely to occur. If excessive wear is detected, the system will limit the transmission to fifth gear. This preventative measure effectively averts wheel lockup, which is triggered by the transmission downshifting from eighth gear.
Vehicle owners of the recalled GMC and Chevrolet trucks and SUVs can anticipate receiving notification letters starting December 9th. GM has established dedicated customer service lines to assist owners:
- GM Customer Service: 1-888-988-7267
- Cadillac Customer Service: 1-800-458-8006
- GMC Customer Service: 1-800-462-8782
- Chevrolet Customer Service: 1-800-222-1020
GM has assigned the recall number N242454440 for this specific transmission issue.
Owners seeking additional information or wishing to inquire about their vehicle’s recall status can also contact the NHTSA safety hotline at 888-327-4236 (toll-free at 1-800-424-9153) or visit the NHTSA website at www.nhtsa.gov. The NHTSA recall number for this GMC truck recall is 24V-797.
It’s noteworthy that this GMC truck recall follows a similar large-scale recall issued by GM in September. That previous recall addressed a separate issue concerning a faulty low brake fluid warning light in SUVs and pickups.
Image: A range of Chevrolet and GMC pickup trucks, representative of the models affected by the transmission control valve recall.
This latest GMC truck recall highlights General Motors’ ongoing commitment to vehicle safety and proactive measures to address potential defects. Owners of affected vehicles are strongly encouraged to contact their local GMC or Chevrolet dealer to schedule the necessary software update and ensure the safety and reliability of their vehicles.
