GM Withdraws Hundreds Of Thousands Of Vehicles Worldwide Due To Serious Engine Problems

Cadillac Escalade 2022. (Doc. Cadillac)

JAKARTA - Shocking news came from the automotive giant from Detroit, General Motors (GM). The company announced a recall involving no less than 721,000 SUVs and trucks in various parts of the world.

This serious step was taken following the discovery of problems in the engine component that could potentially cause sudden power loss, increasing the risk of a very dangerous accident.

The models of vehicles affected in this massive recall are SUVs and truck trucks from 2021 to 2024 equipped with a V8 6.2L gasoline engine. The complete list includes Cadillac Escalade and Escalade EV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, as well as GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL. This information is certainly a serious concern for owners of the vehicle around the world.

GM revealed that the main problem lies in the potential for production defects in the engine's crucial components, namely connecting rods and crankshafts. These defects can lead to damage or even failure of the machine's function in total. Furthermore, the company acknowledged reports related to 12 accidents and 12 cases of injuries in the United States which are strongly suspected to be related to this technical issue.

As a responsive step, GM's official dealer network will immediately conduct a thorough inspection of affected vehicle engines. If a problem is found, the dealer will repair or even replace the engine for free for vehicle owners. However, for vehicles that pass the inspection, GM will provide preventive solutions in the form of replacing oil with higher viscosity, accompanied by replacing the new oil filling cap and oil filter.

Prior to this official announcement, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Agency (NHTSA) turned out to have opened an investigation since last January regarding reports of engine failures at around 877,710 GM vehicles using V8 engines. GM itself then also conducted internal investigations. Ironically, GM has previously closed three separate investigations related to similar issues since 2022, based on the available safety field data at that time. It was also revealed that there were 28,102 complaints or incidents on the ground in the US that could potentially be related to engine failures due to craneshaft problems, connecting rods, or engine bearing, including 14,332 cases that reported the loss of vehicle propulsion. This large-scale recall clearly demonstrates the seriousness of GM's problems and commitment to ensure the safety of its users.