In writing my last post on 2015 model year vehicles that have undergone Canadian safety recalls in 2014, I noticed one group of vehicles from General Motors have endured the roughest exit from the starting gate. Going by the Tahoe and Suburban name wearing the Chevrolet nameplate, Yukon and Yukon XL when fitted to GMC badged vehicles or as the Escalade and Escalade ESV with Cadillac, five separate safety recalls have been issued relating to products built on the new truck-based sport utility vehicle (SUV) platform. Important to note these potential safety issues have or are being addressed by General Motors promptly, multiple recall notices are clearly not the way an auto company wants to welcome new buyers.
This first recall in Canada affecting Chevrolet and GMC variations of the new SUV came this past March relating to the six-speed automatic transmission. It was a concern that the transmission cooler lines were not seated securely resulting in the potential for a coolant leak. Loss fluid has the potential of igniting and causing a fire if exposed to a hot spot of the vehicle. Correcting action to the issue consisted of dealerships inspecting the connections and replacing any problem parts. The first recall for the truck-based SUV also included 2014 pickup trucks from Chevrolet and GMC.
The 2015 Cadillac Escalade was not part of the initial Canadian safety recall for the large sport utility vehicle platform. For the 2015 Escalade, May proved itself as the time the luxury SUV received a dubious mark. Affecting 57 Canadian Escalade and Escalade ESV models, the safety recall was linked to worries of a poorly welded passenger side airbag mounting. To fix this problem on the 2015 Cadillac Escalades, the instrument panel right side upper trim panel had to be replaced by service technicians. In October, the front passenger side section of the Escalade was again the focus due to the instrument panel potentially being installed incorrectly. Once again, the concern surrounded the deployment of the passenger side airbag. On 44 Cadillac Escalade models, the instrument panel top cover had to be replaced.
In June, some Chevrolet and GMC models were once called to the attention of General Motors service centers. 2015 Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon along with the Yukon XL SUVs equipped with the base model system and internal amplifier were recalled over the potential the radio could become inoperative. Disabling the vehicle's audible warning system, failure could contribute to injury or death in worst case scenario. A software update to the radio system served as the repair on the vehicles affected. In another June recall, full-sized Chevrolet and GMC sport utility vehicles, concern relates to the potential of an electrical short with models equipped with an automatic transfer case. The vehicle could jump into neutral unexpectedly either in motion or when the transmission is engaged in 'Park'. In this case, reprogramming of the transfer case control module has been entailed to the eliminate the safety risk.
So, what does these recalls mean? Does the number of recalls mean anything? Maybe Canadian motorists can take stock the fact General Motors is acting prudently to fix any potential issues of an important vehicle. After all, the same auto company has become an entity of mistrust due to what has been concluded as lengthy delay in addressing faulty ignition switches. As important as it is for auto companies to sell products to the public, Canadian motorists are owed the respect from your choice brand. Perhaps a recall notice is best served as an auto company seeking this respect reaffirming to consumers that we count above anyone else.
Information and photo source: Chris Nagy, Transport Canada
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