GM Recalls 55,000 2013 models including Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe and Yukon

They are just off the production line, but 55,000 2013 GM vehicles are being recalled for a serious defect with the steering column assembly module where there is a possibly malformed column lock actuator in the lock module and/or fractured park lock cables in the assembly.

As a result, the vehicle may shift from PARK with the key removed or the key in the OFF position in the ignition.  It may also shift out of PARK without application of the brake pedal. If that occurs, the vehicle may roll after the driver has exited the vehicle resulting in damage to property or people.

The 2013 vehicles involved are the Cadillac Escalade ESV and EXT; Chevrolet Express cargo and passenger van; Silverado HD and LD Chevrolet Suburban and the Chevrolet Tahoe; and the GMC Savana, Sierra LD, Yukon and Yukon XL.  All were produced between November 7th and December 18th, 2013.  GM is notifying owners to bring the vehicles in for inspection and replacement of the steering column assembly, as needed.  Owners may also call GM for more information: Cadillac (866-982-2339); Chevrolet (800-630-2438); and GMC (866-996-9463).

Most of the vehicles involved were still at the plant site, in transit to dealers or still on dealer lots when the problem was found by GM during a quality audit at the Arlington Assembly Center, Arlington, TX.  An inspector found the malformed lock actuator and, during the review, a second problem with the fractured shift cable was found.  Both can cause the vehicle to roll.

While recalls of this kind are never good news for a car or truck maker, the fact that these problems were found so early in the distribution process for these vehicles does point out the the quality process does not end once the vehicles roll off the production line.