General Motors is recalling nearly 34,000 2012 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain crossovers over improperly calibrated tire pressure monitoring sensors.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the monitors are required to be calibrated to illuminate a warning light any time a tire is inflated to 25 percent below the recommended level. The sensors in 2012 Equinox and Terrain models may not illuminate until the tire is much further below that threshold. NHTSA says that improperly inflated tires could lead to an accident due to premature wear and excess heat.
In addition, improperly inflated tires can reduce fuel economy and result in poor handling as well. GM will update the body control module on affected vehicles free of charge once the recall gets under way this month.
Of course, this is as good of a time as any to remind drivers to always check their tire pressure at regular intervals, regardless of what the light on the dash says. Hit the jump to see the full recall notice for yourself.
Vehicle Make / Model:
Model Year(s):
2012 CHEVROLET / EQUINOX
2012 GMC / TERRAIN
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS LLC
Mfr's Report Date: OCT 18, 2011
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V511000
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
Potential Number of Units
Affected: 33,964
Summary:
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND GMC TERRAIN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 18, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 6, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM" (TPMS). THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO ILLUMINATE THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WHEN THE PRESSURE IN A TIRE IS 25% BELOW THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE PRESSURE. ON THESE VEHICLES, THE LIGHT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE UNTIL THE TIRE PRESSURE IS MORE THAN 25% BELOW THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE PRESSURE.
Consequence:
UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN RESULT IN TIRE OVERLOADING AND OVERHEATING, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A BLOWOUT AND POSSIBLE CRASH. THE RESULTING CRASH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN ALSO RESULT IN PREMATURE OR IRREGULAR WEAR, POOR HANDLING, AND POOR FUEL ECONOMY.
Remedy:
GM DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Notes:
GM'S SAFETY RECALL NUMBER IS 11261. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
Model Year(s):
2012 CHEVROLET / EQUINOX
2012 GMC / TERRAIN
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS LLC
Mfr's Report Date: OCT 18, 2011
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V511000
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
Potential Number of Units
Affected: 33,964
Summary:
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND GMC TERRAIN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 18, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 6, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM" (TPMS). THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO ILLUMINATE THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WHEN THE PRESSURE IN A TIRE IS 25% BELOW THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE PRESSURE. ON THESE VEHICLES, THE LIGHT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE UNTIL THE TIRE PRESSURE IS MORE THAN 25% BELOW THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE PRESSURE.
Consequence:
UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN RESULT IN TIRE OVERLOADING AND OVERHEATING, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A BLOWOUT AND POSSIBLE CRASH. THE RESULTING CRASH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN ALSO RESULT IN PREMATURE OR IRREGULAR WEAR, POOR HANDLING, AND POOR FUEL ECONOMY.
Remedy:
GM DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Notes:
GM'S SAFETY RECALL NUMBER IS 11261. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
Featured Gallery 2011 Chevrolet Equinox
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