Chevy Silverado Fire Risk Results in Warning To Park Outside Until Recall Repairs Complete

A recall has been issued for more than 40,000 Chevy Silverado medium-duty trucks, which may be prone to electrical shorts that create a vehicle fire risk. As a result, owners are being urged to park their pickup trucks outside and away from any structures, until the vehicles are repaired.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the Chevrolet Silverado recall on April 13, indicating a defect in the pressure sensor assembly can allow brake fluid to leak into the electrical components of the break pressure switch, which can cause a short-circuit and result in a vehicle fire.

According to the recall announcement, officials warn that the the defect may pose a risk of Chevy Silverado fires, regardless of whether the vehicle is in motion or parked.

While no accidents or injuries have been reported in connection to the recall, General Motors is aware of at least 21 complaints that appear to be related to the defect, with eleven reports Chevy Silverado vehicles that began to smoke or erupted into flames. As a result, owners are being instructed to keep the recalled Chevrolet trucks parked outside and away from any structures until any recall repairs have been completed by a dealer.

General Motors first learned of the issue in August 2022, after receiving a warranty claim involving a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado Medium Duty vehicle that caught on fire . After identifying signs of heat damage on the returned sensor and harness, further analysis revealed that brake fluid had entered the brake pressure switch through the wire harness and seeped into the fuse circuit.

A review of the warranty claim ultimately found that the sealant and zinc nickel plating used to prevent corrosion of the pressure sensor was wearing away, allowing tiny fragments of the sealant to collect under the sensor. Consequently, the collection of sealant fragments allowed brake fluid to enter the sensor’s seal and travel to the break pressure switch, which then travelled into the fuse through the wire harness.

Following additional warranty claims involving similar issues, General Motors discontinued using the corrosive inhibiting sealant in pressure sensor assemblies on March 21, 2023.

The recall impacts approximately 40,428 model years 2019 through 2023 Chevy Silverado Medium Duty 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD vehicles distributed from May 18, 2018 through April 5, 2023.

General Motors announced they will begin providing owners with an interim notification letter of the recall on May 29, 2023, and that a second notification letter will be mailed once a permanent remedy is available. When available, owners will receive a free inspection and repair of their affected vehicles.

For more information on the recall, consumers can contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and reference recall number N222375270. Owners can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or visit www.nhtsa.gov.