Following the stop-sale announcement issued last week, GM announced a recall for certain 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze models for possible axle fractures. On the approximately 172,000 models involved in the recall, all equipped with the 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, the right front axle half shaft can fracture without warning during normal driving.
“The interconnecting tubular bar on the front right axle half shaft on some of these vehicles may not meet GM specification and could fracture and separate,” GM said in a statement cited by Reuters. In case that happens while driving, steering and braking control would be maintained, but the vehicle would lose power to the wheels and coast to a stop.
Furthermore, if a vehicle with a fractured half shaft is parked on an incline without the parking brake engaged, it could move unexpectedly and cause a crash or injury to pedestrians. GM said it is aware of several dozen half-shaft fractures through warranty data and added there are no crashes or injuries related to this issue. Repairs will be made free of charge.
In a separate issue, GM also recalled approximately 490,200 pickups and SUVs that may have a transmission oil cooler line not securely seated in its fitting. If transmission oil leaks from the fitting, the oil could contact a hot surface and cause a vehicle fire, GM said.
The recall involves 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups, as well as 2015 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMCYukon and Yukon XL SUVs equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions. The carmaker said it is aware of three incidents and no injuries as a result of the issue.
By Dan Mihalascu
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