General Motors (GM) has issued a recall affecting more than 8,400 newly purchased vehicles due to transmission problems that could result in unintended movement while parked. The recall involves faulty sun gears within the transmission system, impacting five flagship models:
1. 2022-2023 Cadillac XT5s
2. 2023 Cadillac XT6
3. 2023 Chevrolet Blazer
4. 2023 Chevrolet Traverse
5. 2023 GMC Acadia
The recall, announced in late March 2023, prompted letters to owners in May 2023 advising them to engage the parking brake when parked and visit authorized dealerships for complimentary replacement of the defective parts.
Transmission issues present significant safety concerns for owners and other road users. Here’s what you need to know about these potentially hazardous vehicles, how to identify if your car is affected, and the implications for a lemon claim.
Transmission Defects Pose Rollaway Risk
According to GM, the affected vehicles were assembled with “dimensionally incorrect sun gears” in their transmissions. Sun gears play a vital role in transferring power from the engine to the wheels. In this case, the gears’ imprecise sizing results in various issues, including slippage, stripping, and separation.
Separation of the sun gear from the transmission can lead to rollaway incidents, as the vehicle may inadvertently shifting into neutral, allowing it to move when parked on an incline. This poses hazards such as property damage, injuries, or fatalities.
In addition to rollaway risks, faulty sun gear may prevent the vehicle from shifting into drive upon startup, impeding its intended use.
Signs of Transmission Trouble
Owners can verify if their vehicle is part of the recall by checking the VIN on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. However, any vehicle may exhibit transmission defects. Common signs include:
1. Grinding noises from the engine
2. Rough or delayed shifting
3. Slipping gears
4. Reduced acceleration
5. Failure to move when in drive and the gas pedal is pressed
Recall Impact on Lemon Claims
While a single recall alone may not qualify a new car as a lemon, it can contribute to a lemon claim. In California, a vehicle under warranty becomes a lemon if the manufacturer fails to rectify a manufacturing defect within a reasonable number of atempts.
While a recall for a safety defect doesn’t automatically warrant a lemon claim, two unsuccessful repair atempts for dangerous manufacturing defects could qualify affected Cadillac, Chevrolet, or GMC vehicles for lemon status.
