GMC Savana, Chevrolet Express Recall Issued Over Fire Risks

A recall has been issued for nearly 150,000 Chevrolet and GMV vans, due to a risk that the vehicles may have been manufactured with an unused and unsealed electrical circuit, which may overheat and pose a risk of vehicle fires.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana recall on April 6, indicating that the cutaway vehicles are equipped with a spare HVAC electrical circuit which may not have been properly sealed during the final manufacturing stages.

To date, General Motors has become aware of six Chevrolet or GMC van fires, all of which were equipped with the same unused electrical circuit that was intended to be used for rear  heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning.

According to the recall notice, the unsealed connectors and wiring of the optional rear HVAC circuit may be exposed to moisture and other contaminates, which over time can cause corrosion of the circuit. Officials are warning the corroded circuit can then draw an excessive amount of electrical current and overheat, resulting in a vehicle fire or injury.

The recall includes approximately 149,244 model year 2003 through 2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway vehicles equipped with rear HVAC system wiring that may have been left unsealed.

General Motors announced they will begin sending recall notification letters to customers by May 22, 2023, which will include instructions on how schedule a free repair of the unsealed rear HVAC circuits at a licensed dealer.

For more information, consumers can contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 and reference recall number N222386050. They may 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.