In a move that underscores the importance of safety in its vehicles, General Motors (GM) has announced an additional recall affecting more than 132,000 heavy-duty trucks in the United States.
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This problem, related to rear door switches, represents a significant risk to both drivers and other road users.
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The recall covers the 2024 models of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra in their 2500 and 3500 versions.all equipped with a manual tailgate and electric locking system.
GM had already announced a recall involving 323,000 pickup trucks in February for a similar problem, but recent investigations revealed that more vehicles could be affected by this potentially dangerous condition.
The problem: a short circuit that compromises safety
According to documents submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the failure is due to the possibility of water entering the electronic switches in the rear doors.
This could cause short circuits and consequentlythe involuntary opening of the tailgate while the vehicle is moving.
The concern is not minor: A tailgate that opens unexpectedly could cause cargo to fall on the road.creating a serious danger for other drivers. To date, there have been 237 field reports documenting cases of back doors being unlocked without warning.
Although GM claims to have not received reports of serious accidents or related injuries, the volume of accumulated complaints has motivated this preventive measure.
Scheduled repairs and tips for homeowners
To address this issue, GM has developed an action plan that includes replacing the exterior touch panel switch assemblies with ones that offer greater water resistance.
Owners of affected vans will receive notifications by mail starting January 13and they will be asked to go to their dealers to carry out the repair at no cost.
In the meantime, the automaker recommends owners manually check that the rear doors are closed and locked before setting off. This additional step, although simple, can make a difference in preventing accidents until repairs are completed.
A problem detected in time
The origin of this recall dates back to a complaint filed in July 2024 through the “Speak Up For Safety” program.an internal GM system designed to receive alerts about potential safety problems. The initial complaint involved a Sierra 3500 pickup truck whose tailgate opened unexpectedly, damaging a trailer.
GM has since collected additional complaints, which span the period between September 2023 and September 2024.. This pattern led the company’s engineers to identify the defect in the rear door switches, triggering the current safety recall.
Impact on GM’s image
Although the Detroit-based company is not facing serious legal consequences so far, this incident highlights the challenges associated with manufacturing and designing modern vehicles.
Consumers increasingly value safety as a key factor in their purchasing decisions, and these types of issues can negatively impact public trust in a brand as prominent as GM.
However, the company’s quick action to identify and fix the problem could also be interpreted as a commitment to the safety of its customers. These types of voluntary withdrawals, although costly, reflect a proactive policy that seeks to mitigate greater risks.
Lessons for the future
The automotive industry continues to evolve towards more technological and sophisticated vehicles, but with this new challenges also arise. Electronic components, such as the rear door switches in this case, must be designed to withstand adverse conditions and avoid catastrophic failure.
GM claims to be working on improvements to prevent similar problems in future models. Additionally, implementing more rigorous testing could help identify potential failures before vehicles reach the market.
This massive recall, although challenging for General Motors, highlights the importance of continued vigilance in vehicle safety.
For consumers, it represents an opportunity to demand higher standards in the industry, ensuring that technological advances do not compromise the reliability and safety of the vehicles they rely on every day.