— General Motors has finished the year 2014 with the announcement of 83,600 vehicles recalled for three separate defects, including the tradition of recalling vehicles with problems related to ignition switches.
GM ended 2014 by providing the official numbers as 84 separate recalls and 30,433,365 vehicles recalled.
GM says the final recalls of 2014 include 83,572 vehicles that have problems with the ignition lock actuator that can make it extremely difficult to turn the key. GM names the vehicles as the:
- 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade
- 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade ESV
- 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade EXT
- 2011-2012 Chevy Avalanche
- 2011-2012 Chevy Silverado HD, Silverado LD
- 2011-2012 Chevy Suburban
- 2011-2012 Chevy Tahoe
- 2011-2012 GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD
- 2011-2012 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL
In addition to the difficulty of turning the key, the lock actuator can cause the switch to get stuck in the "start" position, then the ignition can go to the "accessory" position. The vehicle will lose all engine, steering and braking power, along with the ability of the airbags to deploy in a crash.
GM hasn't released information about when the recall will begin, but the automaker said dealers will replace the ignition lock housing, if needed.
Owners with questions should call Cadillac at 800-458-8006, Chevy at 800-222-1020 or GMC at 800-462-8782.
Chevy Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500
More Silverado and Sierra trucks will be recalled, but only 152 trucks are involved and this time because the rear axle shafts can break.
GM says the 2015 Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks have rear axle shafts that experienced problems with the heat treatment during manufacturing. If the rear axle shaft fractures, the rear wheel can separate from the axle shaft and cause chaos on a highway.
The automaker says the affected 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks were manufactured during a very short period of time - November 24, 2014, to November 25, 2014.
As with the previous recall, GM doesn't know when the axle shaft recall will begin. Dealers will first inspect the rear axles and if it looks like there were problems with the heat treatment, GM will replace the axle shafts.
Owners of the recalled 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks can contact Chevy at 800-462-8782 and GMC at 800-462-8782. Give GM customer service the recall number 14892.
Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra
Another 56 GM trucks have a chance of catching on fire because the hose clamp that secures the fuel tank vent line might not be tight. The 2015 Chevy Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD hose clamps can be so loose the fuel tank vent lines can detach and cause gas leaks.
GM says the 2015 Chevrolet Silverado HD diesel trucks were manufactured September 30, 2014, to October 21, 2014, and the GMC Sierra HD trucks were built October 8, 2014, to October 21, 2014.
As with the other recalls, GM hasn't said when the Silverado and Sierra recall will begin. Dealers will tighten the gas tank vent line hose clamp to make sure no gas leaks.
Silverado and Sierra owner with questions can call Chevy at 800-222-1020 or GMC at 800-462-8782.
Read what owners say about the vehicles named in the GM recalls:
