Consumers have complained for years that certain General Motors (GM) trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra have serious defects. Some have reported an engine defect, braking issue, or something else affecting the truck’s safety. As a result, GM recalled many of these vehicles, placing the company’s reliability into question.
Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Recalls
The GM recalls of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra are serious. They include seat belt defects, airbag failures, and transmission problems. Some models have electrical problems that may cause a fire.
GMC Sierras and Chevrolet Silverados are built using the same platform and many of the same parts. Thus, most GM recalls affecting the year and model of a Chevrolet Silverado also affect that same year and model of the GMC Sierra and vice versa.
2017 Chevrolet Silverado and 2017 GMC Sierra recalls include:
- Upper Control Arms May Have Insufficient Welds (1500 models)—the upper control arms, a vital element of the suspension system, may have insufficient welds, which may increase the risk of a crash (NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V256000);
- Software Error May Cause Unintended Braking (1500 models)—a brake defect that may increase the risk of a crash (NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V761000);
- Short Circuit In Engine Block Heater Cable (2500 and 3500 models)—this may increase the risk of fire (NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 21V496000 and 19V328000); and
- Front Fuel Tank May Overfill and Cause Fuel Leak (3500 models)—this may cause an increased risk of fire (NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V088000).
These vehicles have additional concerning recalls
2018 Chevrolet Silverado and 2018 GMC Sierra recalls include:
- Software Error May Cause Unintended Braking (1500 models)—a brake defect increasing the risk of a crash (NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V761000);
- Vacuum Pump May Decrease Power Brake Assist—affecting potentially all vehicle models (NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V645000 and 20V603000);
- Front Fuel Tank May Overfill and Cause Fuel Leak (3500 models)—a leak may cause an increased risk of fire (NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V088000); and
- Incorrect Seat Belt Torsion Bar—during a crash, injury risk is increased because some seat belt retractors don’t properly function (NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V567000).
There are additional recalls affecting these vehicles
2019 Chevrolet Silverado and 2021 GMC Sierra recalls include:
- Engine Block Heater May Have a Terminal Short-Circuit (2500 and 3500 models and Silverado 4500, 5500, and 6500 models)—this increases the risk of a fire. (NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 21V496000 and 19V328000);
- Spare Tire Incompatible with Accessory Wheels (1500 models)(NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V985000);
- Tire Failure May Cause Sudden Air Loss (1500 models)—may cause the driver to lose control, increasing the risk of a crash (NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 21V423000 and 21V115000); and
- Driveshaft May Separate (1500 model)—causing a loss of propulsion and increasing the risk of a crash (NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V650000).
There are many more troubling recalls affecting the safety of these trucks in addition to those listed above
2020 Chevrolet Silverado and 2020 GMC Sierra recalls include:
- Driveshaft May Separate (1500 and 2500 models)—causing a loss of propulsion and increasing the risk of a crash (NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V650000);
- Fire after Seat Belt Pretensioner Deployment (1500, 2500, and 3500 models)—the seatbelt system may cause vehicles with carpet on the floor to ignite (NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V814000);
- Brake Calipers Bolts May Break (1500 model)—these breaks can impede brake performance or wheel rotation, increasing crash risk (NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V116000); and
- Fuel Pump Missing Pressure Regulator (1500 model)—can cause fuel pump cracks and leaks, increasing the fire risk. (NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V837000).
These vehicles have additional troubling recalls
2021 Chevrolet Silverado and 2021 GMC Sierra include:
- Brake Pressure Modulator Valve May Short (2500 and 3500 models)—GM advises not to park these vehicles in or near structures until they’re fixed because of an increased risk of fire (NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V758000);
- Front Center Seat Belts May Not Be Secured (1500, 2500, 3500 model)—increasing the risk of an injury if the seat belt doesn’t properly secure a passenger (NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V792000)
- Front Driver’s Side AirBag Missing Metal Tabs (1500 models)—this may prevent the airbags from deploying in a crash (NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V495000); and
- Incorrect Bolts Used To Attach Seat Belts (1500, 2500, and 3500 models)—if the seatbelts aren’t properly affixed, they will not restrain a passenger in a crash (NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V811000).
Unfortunately, these trucks have additional recalls depending on the model
2022 Chevrolet Silverado and 2022 GMC Sierra recalls include:
- Brake Pressure Modulator Valve May Short (2500 and 3500 models)—GM advises not to park these vehicles in or near structures because of an increased risk of fire (NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V758000); and
- Inoperative High-Mounted Brake Light (1500 models)—reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash (NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V463000).
The 2022 trucks hopefully avoid some of the more problematic issues of prior models.
What Should I Do If My GM Truck Has a Recall?
Check if the GMC Sierra or Chevrolet Silverado recall applies to your vehicle by entering your vehicle identification number (VIN)—which can be found on your registration and on the driver-side door—into the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website. If the Silverado or Sierra recall affects your vehicle, call a GMC authorized dealer to get your vehicle fixed. Under federal law, GM must fix your vehicle within a reasonable time.
What Are My Legal Rights?
Due to the many recalls, GM mechanics may be swamped. Thus, your potentially unsafe car may sit in your driveway or at the shop for a while, waiting for a repair appointment. Or maybe GM’s remedy doesn’t fix your vehicle.
You may have rights under California’s Lemon Law. The law requires manufacturers to repair warrantied vehicles with defects within a reasonable time. If they don’t, they must replace or buy back the vehicle. Plus, if a consumer has a lemon, the manufacturer must pay the consumers’ attorney fees and costs. So, if you have a defective vehicle, you can get an advocate to fight for you.
The Law Experts Can Help with a GM Recall
The Lemon Law Experts are experienced advocates under California’s Lemon Law. We’ll fight to ensure GM complies with the law and get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today.
