The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·11V007000·Announced 2011-01-06

GM Recalls 2011 Trucks and SUVs for Rear Axle Pin Defect

General Motors is recalling 30,566 model year 2011 vehicles because improperly heat-treated rear axle cross pins could fracture and lock the rear axle, potentially causing a crash.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect (rear axle locking) that could cause a crash without warning, meeting the rubric criteria for a score of 4.

Plain-English summary

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Colorado, Express, Silverado, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Canyon, Sierra, Savana, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. This recall campaign is an expansion to a previous safety recall (10V-643) and involves 30,566 vehicles.

The defect involves rear axle cross pins that were not properly heat treated. These pins could fracture and become displaced within the rear axle. If a pin shifts out of position, it could create an interference condition that causes the rear axle to lock. In such an event, the driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle, and a crash could occur without warning.

Dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin free of charge. The safety recall began on January 11, 2011. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at 1-866-996-9463, or visit the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
GMC, CADILLAC, CHEVROLET YUKON, ESCALADE EXT, TAHOE, SILVERADO 1500
Brand
GMC
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Category
Vehicle — SUV / Truck
Hazard
Affected units
30,566

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (14)

  • YUKON
  • ESCALADE EXT
  • TAHOE
  • SILVERADO 1500
  • ESCALADE ESV
  • ESCALADE
  • SIERRA 1500
  • COLORADO
  • CANYON
  • SUBURBAN 1500
  • AVALANCHE 1500
  • SAVANA 1500
  • EXPRESS 1500
  • YUKON XL 1500

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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