GM is Recalling 40,000 2019-2023 Chevrolet Silverado Medium Duty Trucks Because They Can Start on Fire

General Motors is recalling 40,428 2019-2023 Chevrolet Silverado medium-duty trucks because they can catch on fire. A possible brake fluid leak can cause a short circuit and lead to a fire, according to a letter the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sent to GM. The recall includes 4500HD, 5500HD and 6500 HD models. The model numbers may sound confusing because these aren’t regular Chevrolet Silverado trucks, they are medium-duty chassis cab trucks often used in construction and landscaping.

What is Causing the Problem

According to the documents filed with NHTSA:

“General Motors. LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Chevrolet 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD Medium-Duty trucks. The brake pressure sensor assembly may leak brake fluid into the brake pressure switch and cause an electrical short-circuit.

An electrical short in the brake pressure switch can overheat the circuit and increase the risk of a fire while driving or parked.”

How GM Will Fix the Problem

GM told NHTSA that owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the master cylinder pressure sensor and inspect the wire harness, replacing it, if necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed May 29, 2023. Second letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N222375270.

GM said it's not aware of any injuries related to the problem at this point.

Medium-Duty Trucks Introduced in 2019

GM announced in December of 2018 that it was building its first-ever medium-duty Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD and 6500HD chassis cab trucks.

The trucks were first shown to the public at the 2018 NTEA Work Truck Show. They were designed to be the most customer-focused medium-duty trucks of any major competitor. A GM spokesperson at the time said, “We listened to the needs of fleet managers, truck drivers, technicians and dealers to design a truck that’s easy to upfit, easy to drive, easy to service and easy to own.”

The potential fire risk appears to be the first major problem associated with the medium-duty trucks.

Chevrolet Photo

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

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