General Motors recently announced that it’s recalling over half a million vehicles under its Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC brands due to engine safety issues. Anyone who receives a notice related to the GM vehicle recalls should take their car to a dealer as soon as possible. If you’ve recently noticed issues with your GM car and its engine performance, avoid driving it until you can take it in for repairs.
Why Did GM Recall Its Vehicles?
According to news reports, the recall stems from issues with one of GM’s internal combustion engines. Investigators found that the engines shared by the affected vehicles may have problems with their crankshafts or connecting rods. The issues appear to stem from manufacturing defects with these specific parts, which can damage a car’s engine, increasing the risk of engine failure or a crash.
How Many People Suffered Injuries From GM?
Records from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate that GM identified 12 cases where drivers or passengers suffered injuries in crashes related to engine failure in its vehicles. GM said all these injuries were minor, and the company did not report any fatalities associated with this specific issue. The company also said 42 fires may have resulted from this particular engine issue. However, over 597,000 drivers could potentially be affected by the GM engine recall.
Which Cars Were Recalled?
The car models included in this most recent GM recall are:
2021-2024 Cadillac Escalades and Escalade ESVs - 2021-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500s
- 2021-2024 Chevrolet Suburbans
- 2021-2024 Chevrolet Tahoes
- 2021-2024 GMC Sierra 1500s
- 2021-2024 GMC Yukon and Yukon XLs
NHTSA records indicate that only three percent of the vehicles affected in the recall are likely to have a Chevrolet engine defect. Still, that’s about 18,000 cars, and further investigations may reveal that more cars need repairs to address engine defects.
What To Do if You Were Hurt by a Defective GM Car
If you recently suffered injuries while driving or riding in a GM vehicle, check to see if the car, truck, or SUV is part of the recent recall. The faulty engine may be to blame, and you may have the right to compensation if your injuries resulted from a defect.
Here are some key steps to protect your rights and strengthen your potential personal injury claim:
- If you haven’t already, seek medical attention immediately to document your injuries and begin medical treatment.
- Take photos of your injuries, the vehicle, and the accident scene, if safe and possible.
- Preserve the vehicle so a car accident lawyer can inspect it for evidence of the defect.
- Collect any available documentation, including medical records, repair records, and the police accident report.
- Don’t say anything to the vehicle’s manufacturer or an insurance company until you speak to an attorney.
- Contact an experienced Wisconsin car accident attorney so they can review your situation and help you pursue a claim. You could have a product liability claim against GM, and a lawyer can explain the process for seeking compensation.
Contact Our Wisconsin Auto Accident Attorneys for a Free Case Review
LawtonCates has served Wisconsin’s injured for nearly 70 years. We represent clients in a wide range of motor vehicle accident claims, including those caused by design and manufacturing defects. If you believe your car accident injuries could be related to the GM recall, our legal team can review your case in a free consultation. Call or contact us now.
