G.M. Recalls Almost 6,800 Pickups for Inaccurate Shift-Lever Reading

General Motors is recalling almost 6,800 pickups from the 2011 model year because they might roll away even when the automatic transmission’s selector appears to be in Park. The automaker also said it recalled 739 pickups and sport utility vehicles because of a possible loss of steering.

The pickups affected by the shift-lever issue are the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon equipped with the 4-speed automatic and either the 2.9-liter 4-cylinder or 3.7-liter 5-cylinder engine.

G.M. told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that a defective clip could allow the shift lever to appear to be in Park when it was not. A worker at the assembly plant discovered the problem.

The 739 S.U.V.’s and pickups being recalled for possible steering problems are the 2011 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV; Chevrolet Silverado, Suburban and Tahoe; and GMC Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL.

G.M. said the intermediate steering shaft bolts were not properly tightened. It learned of the problem after a Suburban had a steering problem and the vehicle was inspected at a dealership.

The automaker informed N.H.T.S.A. that the problem could occur on vehicles that were repaired at the assembly plant because “an error in the cab build process required the original cab to be removed and replaced with a new cab.” The proper process was not followed when the new cab was installed.

Alan Adler, a General Motors spokesman, wrote in an e-mail that the automaker was not aware of any accidents involving the affected vehicles in either recall.


source: New York Times (Jensen, 7/1)