A new recall impacts all of GM’s large SUVs.
If you own a 2021 model year Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon (including the XL) or Cadillac Escalade, then you’ll want to take note of this new recall campaign. Specifically, 338,735 vehicles have a software issue with their daytime running lights. While engaging the headlights is supposed to shut off the DRLs, the onboard computer may keep both on at the same time. That problem creates additional glare to oncoming motorists at night and makes the vehicles noncompliant with federal safety standards.
The regulation in question is FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) 108. Section 7.10.5, Table I-a of that regulation (“Activation”) covers DRL brightness, and GM decided its vehicles run afoul of those requirements. Fortunately, this does not involve any replacement parts, and dealers will be able to address the issue through a software update.
According to records GM submitted to the NHTSA, the following 2021 model year vehicle are affected as follows:
- Chevrolet Suburban built between January 6, 2020 and Ocyober 7, 2021: 54,262
- Chevrolet Tahoe built between November 11, 2019 and November 17, 2021: 134,673
- GMC Yukon built between November 12, 2019 and October 7, 2021: 68,921
- GMC Yukon XL built between January 6, 2020 and October 7, 2021: 37,469
- Cadillac Escalade built between March 16, 2020 and October 7, 2021: 27,455
- Cadillac Escalade ESV built between June 24, 2020 and October 7, 2021: 15,955
The automaker says it became aware of the issue through a submission to its “Speak Up for Safety” program, and opened an investigation on September 16. An engineer discovered the problem in 2021 model vehicles during validation testing. On October 27, GM’s field safety unit decided to conduct a recall to correct the vehicles’ noncompliance to federal standards.
Dealers have already been notified and owners should receive a letter around December 19, 2022.
