GM Pickups Recalled for Not Complying With Theft Protection Standard

Certain model-year 2011 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon models are again subject of a safety recall posted by American auto giant General Motors on the National Highway Transport Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) website, after the faulty wipers issue announced some two months ago.

This time, however, the reason for this recall consists of a transmission shift lever that wasn’t properly finished, and which involves about 6,800 of these pickups - equipped with a 2.9- or 3.7-liter engine and a four-speed automatic transmission.

The recall notice states that the pickups in question don’t comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, “Theft Protection,” because they have an automatic transmission adjustment clip that may not retain the shift cable in the correct position.

“If the shift cable is not in the correct position, the gear position indication shift lever may not accurately reflect the position of the transmission gear,” the safety notice reads.

The direct consequence of such a problem is that the driver could move the shifter to ‘park’ and remove the ignition key, but the transmission gear may not actually be in ‘park’. Obviously, the driver may not be able to restart the vehicle, which could roll away as the passengers exit the vehicle or have exited. Naturally, this means the vehicle could strike them or someone around the vehicle, or could crash without prior warning.

As expected, GM dealers will install a new automatic transmission adjustment clip free of charge to the consumers. Owners will be notified starting July 19th, 2011.