Fire Potential from Defective Brake Part Causes GM Recall

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DETROIT – General Motors is recalling certain 2020-2021model year GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado heavy duty pickup trucks due to a defect in the brake pressure modulator valve (BPMV) assembly which could lead to a vehicle fire.

The recall population covers 3,241 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 (2,189) and GMC Sierra 2500/3500 (1,052) trucks which have an electronic brake control module (EBCM).

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Part 573 Safety Recall Report         21V-758, “Bolts that attach the brake pressure modulator valve assembly in these vehicles may not have been properly tightened (during a replacement of the EBCM), failing to create the seal between two sub-assemblies that is intended to prevent water intrusion.  If water becomes trapped in the BPMV, it could result in a short circuit, which could lead to an under-hood fire.”

The condition was discovered at the Flint, Mich., plant which assembles the pickups when two trucks experienced an under-hood fire after being exposed to a heavy rain while parked outside (awaiting shipment to a dealer).

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The remedy will be replacement of the BPMV assembly by a franchised GMC or Chevrolet dealer. Dealers were scheduled to be notified as to the recall beginning Sept. 29 and owners are scheduled to begin being notified Nov. 15.

Mike Geylin
Mike Geylin

Mike Geylin is the Editor-in-Chief at Hagman Media. Geylin has been in automotive communications for five decades working in all aspects of the industry from OEM to supplier to motorsports as well as reporting for both newspapers and magazines on the industry.