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GM Recalls 217,000 Vehicles Over Transmission Leaks That Could Cause Fire

Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

Alex Corey Contributor
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General Motors (GM) is recalling more than 217,000 vehicle models from 2018-2020 in the U.S. and Canada due to a transmission leak that could affect the car’s performance and even cause them to catch fire.

GM said in documents released last weekend that two bolts could be missing from the stop-start mechanism in the recalled vehicles, a factor that is believed to be causing the transmission to leak, according to a report from AP. The company stated that they had no reports of crashes, fires or injuries from vehicles in question.

Four main auto brands are involved in the recall: GMC, Chevrolet, Buick and Cadillac. (RELATED: Toyota Recalls 2.2 Million U.S. Models For Carpet, Mat Flaws)

For GMC, these vehicles include the 2018–2020 Terrain and the 2019–2020 Acadia. Chevrolet affected cars include the 2018 Malibu, 2018–2019 Cruze, 2018–2020 Equinox, 2018–2020 Traverse, 2019–2020 Blazer.

Buick vehicles impacted by the recall include the 2018–2019 LaCrosse, 2019–2020 Encore, and 2019–2020 Enclave.

Cadillac has two recalled vehicles: 2019–2020 XT4 and 2020 XT6.

LYONS, IL – OCTOBER 25: Chevrolet Cruze cars are offered for sale at Jack Phelan Chevrolet on October 25, 2016 in Lyons, Illinois. General Motors Co. doubled net income to a record $2.8 billion in the third quarter, driven by strong truck sales in the U.S and strong sales in China. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The recall is expected to start Dec. 14. Dealers will be required to inspect these cars and replace the bolts if they’re missing, according to the AP.

This is not the first recall GM has had in 2020. In August, the car manufacturing company recalled 2020 models of the same car brands for a component of the “Rail-Roof Air Bag” inflator. The malfunctioning piece may not have been properly crimpled to the inflator and could separate when the airbags would deploy, according to a report from USA Today.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also launched an investigation last month into GM after drivers of the Chevrolet Bolt experienced fires in the back seat when leaving their cars unattended, according to a separate AP report. This was reportedly coming from a battery issue, but GM has not recalled these vehicles.