The all-new 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Chevy Tahoe and Suburban, and GMC Yukon have seen numerous recalls. Now comes another; this one for “long-term durability concerns” for driveshafts. The recall identifies that the problem could result in seizing driveshafts, which poses a safety risk. 

According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, the recirculating balls in the U-joints that connect the driveshaft to the transmission and rear end may deform, with noise and vibration being just two results. If the degradation is extreme, they could seize, locking up the rear end.

The driveshaft supplier initiated the recall effort

Tsubaki Nakashima Georgia manufactures the assemblies. It discovered that some of its units had recirculating balls that were not properly heat treated. Those ball bearings were supplied by a tier-2 manufacturer. 

GM has a “Speak Up for Safety” program. An engineer at TNG recognized the problem and contacted GM last October. An internal investigation was conducted to evaluate the problem, which led to this NHTSA recall.

Since October, all GM full-size SUVs have the corrected assemblies

The heat-treating equipment at the tier-2 manufacturer was corrected in June. All components after that time correctly heat-treated. Since early October, all SUVs made have properly manufactured driveshaft assemblies. 

The numbers are not huge. About 1,800 of the SUVs are being recalled. For the Cadillac Escalade, 196 are being recalled. Also on the recall list are 909 Chevy Tahoes, 209 Suburbans, and 475 GMC Yukons in both wheelbases. For more information, you can visit the GM Recall Center.

As mentioned earlier, the NHTSA has initiated a number of recalls for GM SUVs throughout 2021. Back in November 2020, the first of many recalls involving 2021 full-size SUVs was issued. Front seat bolts may not have been properly applied after a repair procedure during assembly. Dealers inspected recalled vehicles and replace improperly-installed seat bolts.

Throughout 2021, the GM SUVs continued to be recalled

In the last days of 2020, GM recalled over 600,000 GMC and Chevy trucks and SUVs over unsecured seatbelt brackets. The recall took in 2019-2021 full-size GM trucks too, as well as full-size SUVs. 

Leaking gas tanks was the next recall in February 2021. The cause of the leaks was an adhesive between the inner and outer shells of the tank assemblies that were not properly applied. The full-size 2021 SUVs affected had fuel tanks replaced. 

And another recall

In March of 2021, 95,000 SUVs were recalled over seatbelt issues. Back in June, GM recalled almost 300,000 vehicles, with 2021 full-size SUVs representing the largest portion of it. The defective airbag light on the dash was the culprit, which GM fixed with over-the-air updates.

The following month, there were two recalls. GM recalled 2021 full-size SUVs over an issue that could cause a loss of power steering assist. Power steering module software was either updated by dealers, or was corrected by over-the-air updates. 

And another recall

And also in July, it was discovered that some dealer technicians might have calibrated brake systems incorrectly. This affected Electronic Stability Control, traction control, anti-lock brake systems, towing brakes. Owners were told to return vehicles to dealers to get the correct calibration. 

A defective control module that distributes fuel to the engine was issued a recall in October. Stalling was one result, and it affected the same models recalled now.