Autoblog

GM recalls full-size truck, SUVs and vans over faulty shifter mechanism

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, SUV, Truck, Recalls, Safety, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

Twelve different General Motors vehicles from the 2013 model year, up to 54,686 units in total, are being recalled over two potential issues with their steering columns. The models in question, all full-size trucks, SUVs or vans, are the: Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Savana, Sierra, Yukon and Yukon XL.

The affected vehicles were built with a fractured parking lock cable or "a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly." As a consequence, they could shift out of park without the brake pedal being applied or with the key removed or in the off position.

A bulletin from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that the recall should begin on January 17. GM will notify owners, at which time they can take their vehicles to their dealers for repair free of charge. Have a look at the bulletin below for more information.

Continue reading GM recalls full-size truck, SUVs and vans over faulty shifter mechanism

GM recalls full-size truck, SUVs and vans over faulty shifter mechanism originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Jan 2013 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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These cars are headed to the Great Crusher In The Sky

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Infiniti, Jeep, Kia, Lexus, Maybach, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Volvo

It happens every year. We bid adieu to some cars and trucks that will be missed, and say good riddance to others wondering how they stayed around so long. Whether they're being killed off for slow sales or due to a new product coming along to replace them, the list of vehicles being discontinued after 2012 is surprisingly long and diverse.

CNN Money has compiled a list of departing vehicles, to which we've added a few more of our own. In the slow sales column, cars like the Lexus HS 250h, Mercedes-Benz R-Class and the full Maybach lineup appear, while the Ford Escape Hybrid, Mazda CX-7 and Hyundai Veracruz are all having their gaps filled with more modern and more fuel-efficient alternatives. Obvious exceptions to the rule include models that still sell in decent numbers like the Jeep Liberty and the Chrysler Town & Country (which will eventually be replaced by a crossover-like vehicle).

Check out our gallery of discontinued cars above, then scroll down for more information.

Continue reading These cars are headed to the Great Crusher In The Sky

These cars are headed to the Great Crusher In The Sky originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM announces end of Chevy Avalanche with Black Diamond edition

Zach Bowman — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet

General Motors is pulling the plug on the Chevrolet Avalanche. 2013 will mark the ugly duckling's last year in production, though the model will go out with one last special edition. The 2013 Black Diamond Avalanche will arrive with body-color trim work, special badging, and most importantly, lower prices. LT trim now boasts a standard rear-view camera, while LS guise adds in rear park assist, power adjustable pedals, fog lights and remote start as standard gear. GM has cut the base vehicle's MSRP by $2,500, which means buyers can take one home for $35,980, excluding the $995 destination fee.

GM says the lower price is a way of saying "thank you" to the truck's fans, though we suspect it may have more to do with getting the awkward machine off dealer lots. Last month, GM moved just 2,083 Avalanche units, and while that's nearly 26 percent more than March 2011, the number represents a fraction of the 36,491 Silverado models that rolled out the door. It's also less than half the number of Tahoe units sold. Even the wee Colorado drove away with more sales. Last year, GM sold a total of 20,088 Avalanche units, down 2.1 percent compared to 2010 despite an overall industry recovery.

Will anyone miss the Avalanche? There are those who still miss the diesel Chevette, so anything's possible.

Continue reading GM announces end of Chevy Avalanche with Black Diamond edition

GM announces end of Chevy Avalanche with Black Diamond edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports Top Pickup for 2012 is... the Chevrolet Avalanche?!

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet

Four Wheeler magazine named the Ram Power Wagon its 2012 Pickup Truck of the Year, and it's an award that celebrates features we associate with so-called "serious" pickups, like a two-speed transfer case, trail performance and vinyl flooring. But what if you want a Pickup Truck of the Year that's got a little less pickup in it? Consumer Reports holds your answer, as it chose the Chevrolet Avalanche as the 2012 Top Pick Pickup Truck.

Why? Because of, as far as we can tell, its versatility and the ways it feels more like a Chevrolet Suburban than a Power Wagon: interior, fire-and-forget four-wheel drive, decent acceleration and comfy ride. Or, put another way, because even though it's not a Chevrolet Suburban it can do almost everything a Suburban can do as well as hold a kayak. But you can't see out the back, because there's a bed there. Follow the jump for the CR video report.

Continue reading Consumer Reports Top Pickup for 2012 is... the Chevrolet Avalanche?!

Consumer Reports Top Pickup for 2012 is... the Chevrolet Avalanche?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consumer Reports releases 2011 list of American Top Picks, Ford again on top

Aaron Richardson — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:40:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Ford

Ford Fusion Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

For the second year running, the Ford Fusion has not only come out as the top family sedan pick in Consumer Reports' list of the 2011 American Top Picks, once again eclipsing the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry in reliability.

Topping the list in the budget car segment is the Ford Fiesta, though CR admits they aren't sure how reliable the car will be, given that it's a clean-sheet design. The Chevrolet Cruze takes the small car category.

Ford captures CR's small SUV category with the Escape, and Chevrolet has nailed down the family SUV category with its Equinox 2LT. The funky Ford Flex takes the family hauler category, and the Mustang is the top pick among sporty cars.

The only non-Ford or Chevrolet product on the list is the Buick Regal, which takes top honors for CR's sports sedan category. The Ford Fusion Hybrid (above) garners the American green car pick for 2011, and the Chevrolet Avalanche rounds out the list in the pickup truck category.

It should be noted that some categories in CR's list only have a top-scoring American vehicle, not a top pick. In the budget car segment, the sports sedan segment and the small car segment, CR passes on picking a favorite because there are models in the segment that are too new to have reliability data yet.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Photos Copyright (C)2009 Chris Shunk / AOL

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Consumer Reports releases 2011 list of American Top Picks, Ford again on top originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM recalls select 2011 model year pickup and SUV models over axle fears

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 08:02:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Recalls, Safety, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

2011 GMC Sierra - Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors is recalling a handful light-duty GMT900 pickups from the 2011 model year due to faulty rear axle cross pins. Both the Chevrolet Avalanche and Silverado 1500 are subject to the action, as are the Cadillac Escalade EXT and GMC Sierra 1500 - a total of 1,262 vehicles in all.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cites that these rear axle cross pins were not manufactured up to proper specification and that the pin could "fracture and become displaced within the rear axle." NHTSA further details the consequences of a displaced pin, saying:

"The driver may hear a banging noise coming from the axle. If the pin shifts out of position, it could create an interference condition and cause the rear axle to lock. The driver may not be able to maintain directional control of the vehicle and a crash could occur without prior warning."

GM will begin notifying owners about this problem in January, and dealers will install a new rear axle cross pin without any cost to the customer. NHTSA's official statement is available after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 GMC Sierra

[Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]

Continue reading GM recalls select 2011 model year pickup and SUV models over axle fears

GM recalls select 2011 model year pickup and SUV models over axle fears originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM recalls Camaro, Traverse, SUVs/pickups for various issues

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:40:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

General Motors and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have announced a suite of recalls for the Chevrolet Camaro, Traverse and various body-on-frame SUVs and pickups (Cadillac's Escalade, Chevrolet's Avalanche, Colorado, Suburban and Tahoe, along with GMC's Canyon and Yukon).

The Camaro recall has been discussed before, but now we have the official language and affected unit numbers to share with you. The recall of 1,243 Camaros is due to the possibility of the positive battery cable rubbing against the starter motor housing. When the insulation is worn through because of that chafing, the system can short out and the car won't start (or continue running if the motor is already going). Dealers will reroute the positive cable to fix.

15,393 2009 model-year Traverse crossovers are being recalled for a parking brake cable link that is not to federal specifications. According to the official press release, the parking brake pedal may cause the cable link to snap. Dealers will replace the cable link connector for free. Oddly, the recall does not make mention of GM's other Lambda-based three-row crossovers, which include the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook.

Finally, 27,189 GM SUVs and pickups are being recalled due to potential faults with their fuel system control modules. The modules might have a seal problem that allows water in, which could then cause a short- or open- circuit, a development that could potentially trigger a host of warning lights or render the vehicle inoperable. Dealers will install a new fuel system control module unit at no cost. You can read all of the notices after the jump.

[Source: NHTSA - Camaro, Traverse, GMT900]

Continue reading GM recalls Camaro, Traverse, SUVs/pickups for various issues

GM recalls Camaro, Traverse, SUVs/pickups for various issues originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 May 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Never enough: Gemballa Avalanche 600 GT2 EVO

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 20 May 2008 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Supercars, Porsche

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Gemballa Avalanche 600 GT2 EVO.

We've already sampled the mind-blowing power of the 997 Porsche GT2, but for Gemballa, it's never enough. The German tuning firm is offering a new kit for both the GT2 and its all-wheel-drive sibling, the Porsche Turbo, in the form of the Avalanche 600 EVO. As it's name would imply, Gemballa has coaxed 600 hp (not to mention 619 lb.-ft. of torque) from Porsche's turbocharged flat-six through the use of a new intercooler, race exhaust and a retuned ECU. The dash to 62 mph is dispatched in 3.5 seconds and the top speed has been increased to 199 mph.

To compliment the 911's newfound power, Gemball has fitted its Avalanche body kit, which includes a new hood, front spoiler and bumper, EVO wing and a host of air inlets and outlets. The stock suspension has been pulled in favor of a coilover setup hidden behind 405 mm front and 380 mm rear discs and Gemballa "Racing Black Edition" wheels sized 20x9-inches in front and 20x11.5-inches out back. Aluminum pedals and door plates are available to spruce up the interior, along with leather, carbon and alacantara trim, new carpet and a 340 mm steering wheel with optional "F1" paddle shifters. For interested in being corrupted by absolute power, we've posted the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Gemballa Avalanche 600 GT2 EVO

[Source: Gemballa via WCF]

Continue reading Never enough: Gemballa Avalanche 600 GT2 EVO

Never enough: Gemballa Avalanche 600 GT2 EVO originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 May 2008 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM releases pics of Z71 package on GMT900 SUVs

John Neff — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 17:26:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Truck, Chevrolet

Without so much as an accompanying press release, General Motors released a slew of new images yesterday that show us what the Z71 off-road package looks like on two of the three GMT900 model SUVs. The Avalanche, Tahoe and Suburban are available with a Z71 package that adds, of course, the Z71 off-road suspension, new 18-inch aluminum wheels mounted on combination on-/off-road tires, an automatic locking rear diff, and high-pressure shocks. That's it for the hardcore mechanicals, though buyers who opt for the Z71 package are as much interested in the image these vehicles project as they are their capability. To that end, Chevy adds the Skid Plate Package, oversized wheel arch flares, tubular assist steps, extra bits of chrome trim, and rectangular fog lamps, along with the requisite Z71 badging so everyone knows you could go off road if you wanted to. The interiors benefit from a Z71-specific gauge cluster and brushed metal look for the dash. The Z71 package certainly adds some cajones to these GMT900 SUVs that will spend most of their lives on smooth pavement, and they also add some serious attitude, especially when ordered in all black.

Check out all the newly released images in our galleries for the Avalanche Z71 and Suburban Z71, as well as new galleries for the 2008 Tahoe Hybrid, Avalanche LTZ, Tahoe LTZ and Suburban LTZ.

[Source: GM]

Gallery: 2007 Chevy Avalance Z71

Gallery: 2007 Chevy Suburban Z71

Continue reading GM releases pics of Z71 package on GMT900 SUVs

GM releases pics of Z71 package on GMT900 SUVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Feb 2007 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM supplying MTV with fleet of custom E85 vehicles and Chip Foose Tahoe Concept

John Neff — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 16:26:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Green, Chevrolet, GM

General Motors has teamed up with the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards to supply the event with a fleet of 60 E85 capable Chevy Tahoe, Avalanche and Suburban vehicles. The fleet will be used to transport "talent" (we use that term loosely) to the event and also get the word out about the first E85 refueling station in New York City that will be announced later this month. Each fleet vehicle is lightly customized with billet grilles, Chevy Accessory wheels and bright kit running boards on the Tahoes only. Designers stopped short of using MTV's Moon Man award as a hood ornament.

To commemorate the event, GM also hired designer du jour Chip Foose to build the Tahoe Concept. The company is billing Foose's creation as the first customized E85-capable vehicle. The Tahoe Concept features Foose details like a black powder-coated billet grille, lowered ride height, custom black wheels and a special two-tone paint job with a thin Tangier orange stripe.

Fuel for the fleet vehicles being used during the show will be provided by Sprague Energy and the vehicles will refuel at the New York City Dept. of Sanitation, hopefully after they've dropped off their pop star cargo at the red carpet. After the VMAs are over, Chevy will sell all 60 "MTV Video Music Awards Chevy E85" vehicles at dealerships in the New York area. That's right, you could own the Tahoe that delivers Ashley Simpson to Radio City Music Hall.

(More pics and GM's press release after the jump)

[Source: GM]

Continue reading GM supplying MTV with fleet of custom E85 vehicles and Chip Foose Tahoe Concept

GM supplying MTV with fleet of custom E85 vehicles and Chip Foose Tahoe Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Aug 2006 16:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevy Suburban with Z71 package surfaces

John Neff — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 13:22:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Chevrolet, GM

Some resourceful members of the GMInsideNews community managed to grab what appears to be official pics somewhere of a Chevy Suburban wearing the not-yet-released Z71 offroad package. Rather than being purely cosmetic, the Z71 package will add a host of real mechanical upgrades to the Suburban, Silverado and Avalanche. Of course, Chevy is still making sure its big SUV and trucks look the part of the rugged off-roader.

(Follow the jump for an interior pic and a list of the expected cosmetic and mechanical upgrades)

Continue reading Chevy Suburban with Z71 package surfaces

Chevy Suburban with Z71 package surfaces originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Jul 2006 13:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM prices the Avalanche

Erin Mays — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Truck, Chevrolet, GM

A cool $32.5K will get you the new Chevrolet Avalanche, according to numbers recently revealed by General Motors. The sport utility truck, famous for its rugged (if controversial) looks and utilitarian disposition (is it a truck, or an SUV?), starts off at $32,490 in LS trim, with mid-grade LT spec commanding $33,170 and the full-boat LTZ going for a heady $39,905. Need four-wheel drive? Then figure on the following: the Avalanche LS will run $35,490, the LT will net $36,170, and the top-shelf LTZ rings up at $42,905.

[Sources: TradingMarkets.com and Chevrolet]

GM prices the Avalanche originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Apr 2006 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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