General Motors is recalling more than 380,000 older SUVs in the United States, many for a second time, to fix a suspension issue that could cause them to sway at highway speeds.
According to a report in Detroit News, General Motors decided on the recall after the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation last year.
The recall covers 2010 through 2016 Cadillac SRX and 2011 and 2012 Saab 9-4X SUVs, with Saab vehicles formerly owned and manufactured by GM.
Two Crashes, Three Injuries Reported
In documents submitted to NHTSA, GM says the rear suspension toe link adjuster may not have been properly tightened, which could result in a loose toe link. The toe link keeps the rear suspension stable and the tires on the ground. GM urges vehicle owners not to drive their vehicles if they see dashboard warning lights or experience unusual steering behavior.
When the recall begins on Aug. 9, dealers will replace the adjustable toe link with a non-adjustable one at no cost to owners who will be notified via snail mail. Several vehicles included in this recall were initially recalled in September 2014. NHTSA launched a probe into this issue in November 2020 after receiving nine owner complaints, including two crashes.
The agency said three people were injured as a result. GM also says that dealers or independent repair shops may not have followed procedures for tightening a toe link nut in rare cases. The company says a loose toe link could potentially make the vehicle sway on the highway or allow water into the threads on the adjuster.
Auto Product Liability Issues
Suspension issues are serious and are likely to result in car accidents. When a suspension begins to fail, the ride will become rough, and the vehicle may become difficult to handle. Vehicles with faulty suspensions are more prone to spinning out of control on a curve or in the rain. A vehicle’s suspension can also affect the wear and tear on the tires and other auto parts.
If you have been involved in an auto accident involving a defective auto, it would be in your best interest to preserve the vehicle in its current crashed state, unaltered, so an expert can thoroughly examine it for defects, malfunctions, and other evidence. Victims would also be well advised to contact an experienced auto defect lawyer who has successfully handled similar cases against large auto manufacturers. In cases where a defective auto part has caused or contributed to an accident or injury, the victim can file an auto product liability lawsuit seeking compensation for damages.
Source: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/general-motors/2021/06/29/gm-recalls-380-000-suvs-fix-suspension-issue/7794275002/
