General Motors Faces Growing Woes as Chevrolet Recalls Mount Up

Jan 03, 2024 04:02 AM EST

YELLOW CHEVROLET CAMARO PARKED OUTSIDE BUILDING — (Photo : PEXELS/SevenStorm JUHASZIMRUS )

Amid software quality concerns, GM halted Chevrolet Blazer EV sales in the US temporarily, assuring ongoing work on remedial software. Adding to the woes, GM noted hardware issues impacting the electric Blazer variant.

New Recall for Latest Model: Chevrolet Blazer EV

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and manufacturer recalled electric SUV and GM-branded crossover door strikers due to potential fractures. Routine pre-installation tests at GM's San Luis Potosi assembly plant in Mexico found this problem.

The assembly line issue was investigated due to broken door strikers. This clouds the Chevrolet Blazer EV debut, compounding software issues. To assure safety and reliability for Blazer EV owners and US customers, GM is fixing these concerns.

Reports stated that the door strikers, manufactured by the Brano Group, lacked proper heat treatment to meet GM's hardness standards, heightening their risk of malfunction. This issue affects a limited batch of 265 vehicles, encompassing the gas-powered Chevrolet Blazer and Equinox SUVs, along with the GMC Terrain crossover.

Affected vehicle owners will receive notifications in February, providing them the opportunity to visit a local dealer for a cost-free replacement of all four strikers and attaching bolts.
As per Autoevolution's report, the fractured door strikers pose a risk of unexpected door openings while driving or in case of an accident, heightening the potential for injuries. General Motors learned of this issue on November 6th from a Speak Up For Safety program report filed by a quality engineer.

The report highlighted a fractured door striker during adjustments on a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox at the San Luis Potosi assembly plant in Mexico. Subsequent scrutiny unveiled three more fractured strikers during adjustments and one already fractured before installation. This triggered GM to initiate an investigation on November 9th.
General Motors found that the Brano Group A.S. from the Czech Republic, the supplier of the door strikers prone to fracturing, might have provided GM with improperly heat-treated components. GM has not encountered any reported field incidents associated with this particular issue so far.

The side door striker assembly bears the part number 13557655, and the affected vehicles were produced from September 13 to November 13. Among the 265 affected vehicles, the recall includes 201 units of the Equinox. The Terrain is affected in 62 units, while the Blazer and Blazer EV account for one unit each in this recall.

Recall Before 2023 Ends

These current recalls are additional ones to the issued faced by General Motors regarding their lineup. As reported in GM Authority, General Motors has initiated a Customer Satisfaction Program for certain 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 models due to a potential issue with the transmission case, which could be outside the specified parameters.

Specifically, some 2023 Sierra 1500 pickup trucks equipped with GM 10-speed automatic RPO MHS and MHT transmissions might have cases that don't meet specifications, linked to the 5.3L V8 L84 or 6.2L V8 L87 engines. Certified GM technicians will inspect affected vehicles and replace the transmission if required.
General Motors approximates that a total of 31 units, encompassing Sierra 1500 and Silverado 1500 models, are impacted. For labor estimates, a full-size 2WD pickup will require about eight hours to complete the Customer Satisfaction Program, while a 4WD unit will take GM technicians roughly 10 hours.

Affected truck owners will receive communication from dealerships. It's important to highlight that this Customer Satisfaction Program will be active until January 31st, 2026.