(TheProudRepublic.com) – Government safety regulators finally forced General Motors to recall over 90,000 luxury vehicles after initially trying to cover up serious transmission defects that lock up the wheels.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) allowed GM to delay this recall for months despite knowing the defect could cause wheels to lock up unexpectedly, putting American drivers at risk.
This recall affects high-end American-made vehicles equipped with 10-speed transmissions, including 2020-2021 Cadillac CT4 and CT5 models, 2019-2020 Cadillac CT6 sedans, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Camaro sports cars.
The serious safety issue stems from premature wear on transmission control valves that can cause harsh gear shifts and potentially dangerous front wheel lock-ups while driving.
“In rare cases, the wheels may experience a momentary lock up,” the agency admitted in its official recall notice, after months of allowing GM to investigate at its own pace.
The government agency estimates that only 1% of the recalled vehicles actually have the defect—a suspiciously precise number that raises questions about how thorough their investigation has been.
GM’s handling of the situation follows a disturbing corporate pattern of delay and minimization. In early 2024, the company received reports about a 2021 Cadillac CT5 with front tire lock-up issues.
Rather than immediately addressing the problem, GM initially closed the investigation, claiming the short duration of lock-ups and lack of reported accidents did not warrant action.
Only after 115 more lock-up reports and an actual accident did GM reopen the investigation in November.
Even then, the company waited until February 27 for its Safety Field Action Decision Authority to finally announce a recall – months after identifying a potentially life-threatening defect.
While claiming that the “safety of our customers is the highest priority for the entire GM team,” the company’s actions tell a different story.
If safety were truly their highest priority, they would have addressed this dangerous defect immediately upon discovery rather than waiting for government pressure and an accumulation of incidents.
Starting in mid-April, affected vehicle owners will receive notification by mail. Dealers will install new transmission control module software at no cost, a solution that puts the transmission into fifth gear if problems occur.
Although the fix costs nothing for customers, the delay has potentially subjected thousands of Americans to unnecessary risk.
Car owners should check their mailboxes for official recall notices but should not wait to take action if they experience transmission problems.
This incident highlights the ongoing problems with corporate responsibility and government oversight in America’s automotive industry, where profits too often take precedence over safety until public exposure forces action.
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