General Motors has expanded a recall of certain 2011 trucks and SUVs to nearly 27,000 vehicles over potential problems with the rear axle cross pin.
The original December recall of 1,262 U.S. vehicles now includes 26,751 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV and Cadillac EXT; Chevrolet's Avalanche, Colorado, Silverado, Suburban and Tahoe; as well as GMC's Canyon, Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL, GM said Saturday.
Rear axle cross pins on the vehicles "may have been improperly heat-treated and could fracture, causing the axle to lock while driving," GM said.
"Owners of the vehicles are being contacted and urged against driving the trucks until the axle pin is replaced."
The automaker said it had so far only learned of one incident in which a driver lost power to the axle, though there was no crash.
Drivers may hear a banging noise from the rear axle if the pin fractures and becomes displaced, according to GM. It said the rear axle could lock if the pin shifts out of position and interferes with other vehicle functions. The driver could also lose directional control.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said dealers would begin installing new rear axle cross pins free of charge by January 25.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2011
