GM Recalls Thousands Over Crash Risk

General Motors recalled more than 460,000 older trucks and SUVs over a transmission valve defect that can cause the rear wheels to lock up.

Certain 2020 to 2022 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 ,2500 and 3500 and the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL with diesel engines may have the transmission control valve issue, according to a recall notice on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.

Affected vehicles’ transmission control valve is vulnerable to excessive wear gradually leading to pressure loss causing “harsh” shifting and in rare cases, “momentary lock up,” GM said in a document filed with the NHTSA. It estimates that just 1% of the suspect vehicle population has the defect.

GM dealers will install new software for the transmission control module to monitor valve performance and identify excess wear 10,000 miles before wheel lock-up could happen, GM said. 

The automaker will provide “special” coverage for the repair of transmissions with defective control valves.

Recall notices are scheduled to be mailed to owners on Dec. 9.

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