General Motors announced Thursday that it is recalling 83,572 SUVs and trucks because they have ignition switches that could slip out of “start,” causing the vehicle to stall and potentially prevent safety airbags from being released.
The models involved, according to the Detroit News, are 2011-12 Chevrolet Silverado HDs, Silverado LDs, Suburbans, Tahoes, Avalanches; GMC Sierra LDs, Sierra HDs, Yukons, Yukon XLs; and Cadillac Escalades. In addition, 2007-14 vehicles repaired with defective parts may also be affected. Nine thousand vehicles sold outside the U.S. will also be recalled.
The automaker said it expected to find the faulty ignitions in just 500 of the vehicles it is recalling. The problem occurs at high temperatures when heat causes parts inside the ignition to expand and warp.
The automaker said in a statement: “The ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the ‘start’ position. If stuck in the ‘start’ position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the ‘accessory’ position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.”
GM first learned of the problem in June, when employees in its service group submitted an internal bulletin on the ignition systems for 2010-13 model trucks and SUVs for technical review.
