GM Calls Back SUVs Over Rear Wheel Problem

General Motors is recalling more than 43,000 full-size sport utility vehicles, citing a defect that could cause the cars’ rear wheels to lock up.

“In rare cases, the rear wheels may experience a momentary lock-up or may remain locked,” the automaker told federal vehicle safety regulators. “If the rear wheels lock up while driving, there is an increased risk of a crash.”

The recall covers certain 2022 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban SUVs, as well as GMC Yukons and Cadillac Escalades. GM said it is aware of 13 reports of lock-ups that appear to be related to the transmission issue.

The problem is that transmission control valves in affected models may be susceptible to excessive wear, GM said in filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Excessive wear within the transmission control valve body can cause a fluid leak leading to a pressure drop that causes certain valves to move unexpectedly,” the company said.

GM plans to notify owners of recalled cars by the end of March. In the meantime, owners can check the NHTSA website to see if their vehicles are included in the recall.

The company wants owners to bring their vehicles to authorized service providers for inspection and repair. 

Service providers “will install new transmission control module (TCM) software that will monitor valve performance and detect excess wear approximately 10,000 miles before a wheel lock-up condition could occur,” GM said. “Once detected, the transmission will be limited to fifth gear, preventing the possibility of a wheel lock-up condition, which occurs in a downshift from eighth gear.”

California Drivers: Know Your Lemon Law Rights

These kinds of recalls are all too common for GM and other major auto manufacturers. The world’s leading carmakers call back millions of vehicles every year, citing a wide range of defects that pose hazards for everyone on the road.

Sometimes, those hazards remain even after vehicles are supposedly repaired. NHTSA recently opened an investigation into GM’s recall of nearly 600,000 SUVs and pickup trucks following reports that recalled vehicles continued to have engine failures after they were “fixed.”

GM and other car owners in California have some important rights and protections under the state’s lemon law.

The California lemon law generally requires carmakers to perform a wide range of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces manufacturers to buy back vehicles that they are unable or simply refuse to fix. That includes compensating the owner for the vehicle’s purchase price, as well as financing charges, rental car costs and other related expenses.

There is no specific number of recall requests or attempts that must be made before the buyback or replace requirement kicks in. An experienced California lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights, explore your options and take action.

Talk with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.