Over 62,000 General Motors vehicles recalled over risk of brakes catching fire

American automotive manufacturer General Motors has recalled more than 62,000 pickup trucks because their brakes could cause fires.

GM is recalling 62,468 Chevrolet Silverado Medium Duty 4500HD, 5500HD and 6500HD models from years 2019 to 2024.

‘The brake pressure sensor assembly may leak brake fluid into the
brake pressure switch and cause a short circuit,’ GM informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in a letter on Wednesday.

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

In addition, an underhood fire could ignite if the vehicle is unattended or off.

GM said the defect occurred because a supplier used an unauthorized chemical in assembling the brakes that causes them to degrade over time.

Only 1% of the recalled vehicles are expected to actually have the defect.

Here are the GM vehicles under the recall and the number of vehicles affected:

Dealers will do free replacements of the brake pressure switch wire harness.

Letters to owners on the safety risk are set to be mailed on July 28, and another set will be sent once the remedy is ready.

Owners should park away from structures and outdoors until repairs are complete.

Anyone with questions should contact GM, which is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan.

It comes about a week after Ford Motor Company recalled 197,432 of its Mustang Mach-E SUVs years 2021 to 2025 over the risk of owners getting locked out and passengers inside getting trapped if the battery is low.

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