Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

New GM Recall Pulls In Express, Savana Vans

General Motors will recall 303,000 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans from six model years amid a broadening internal and external evaluation of the company's handling of vehicle safety.

by Staff
March 17, 2014
New GM Recall Pulls In Express, Savana Vans

Photo of 2014 Chevrolet Express courtesy of General Motors.

3 min to read


Photo of 2014 Chevrolet Express courtesy of General Motors.

General Motors will recall 303,000 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans from six model years amid a broadening internal and external evaluation of the company's handling of vehicle safety.

Because the full-size vans don't comply with a head-impact requirement for passengers not wearing seat belts, the vehicles need reworking of the passenger instrument panel material. The recalled vans come from the 2009 to 2014 model years and have a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.

Ad Loading...

Unsold vehicles have been placed on a stop-delivery until a remedy is developed and parts are available, GM announced March 17.

The company decided to launch these new recalls after conducting an internal safety review. Questions arising from the ignition safety switch recall prompted the safety review.

"I asked our team to redouble our efforts on our pending product reviews, bring them forward and resolve them quickly," said Mary Barra, GM's CEO. "That is what today's GM is all about."

Fleet buyers of the Chevrolet Express full-size van will be most impacted by the recall. In calendar-year 2012, fleets registered 52,515 Express vans, including 26,072 commercial and 19,896 government vehicles. Fleets registered 12,825 GMC Savana vans, including 3,823 in commercial fleets and 8,498 in rental fleets.

In a separate action, the automaker is recalling 1.18 million 2008- to 2013-MY Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia vehicles, 2009- to 2013-MY Chevrolet Traverse vehicles and 2008- to 2010-MY Saturn Outlook vehicles.

Ad Loading...

Mostly rental fleets registered the recalled mid-size SUVs, including the Chevrolet Traverse (15,211), Buick Enclave (5,734), GMC Arcadia (10,513). Commercial fleets added 2,340 Traverse SUVs in 2012, according to the Automotive Fleet 2013 Fact Book.

GM's CEO Mary Barra gives a update on the recalls and federal probe.

VIDEO: GM CEO Gives Recall Update

A third recall involves 63,900 2013- to 2014-MY Cadillac XTS full-size sedans. Fleets registered 855 XTS vehicles in 2012.

In the XTS, a brake booster pump can create positive pressure within the wiring harness attached to the pump relay. This pressure can lead to the dislodging of a plug in the brake booster pump relay, allowing corrosive elements to enter the connector and form a low-resistance short. This short could lead to overheating, melting of plastic components and a possible engine compartment fire.

GM said it is aware of two engine compartment fires in unsold vehicles at dealerships and two cases of melted components.

Ad Loading...

The Enclave, Traverse, Acadia and Outlook vehicles are equipped with a service air bag warning light in the driver information center. Ignoring the service air bag warning light will eventually result in the non-deployment of the side impact restraints, which include driver and passenger seat-mounted side air bags, a front center air bag (if equipped), and the seat belt pretensioners.   

To repair the condition, dealers will remove the driver and passenger side air bag wiring harness connectors and splice and solder the wires together.

"Today's announcement underscores the focus we're putting on the safety and peace of mind of our customers," Barra said. "We are conducting an intense review of our internal processes and will have more developments to announce as we move forward."

GM expects to take a charge of approximately $300 million in the first quarter primarily for the cost of the repairs for the three safety actions and the previously announced ignition switch recall.

More Safety

Ambulance and damaged car at a crash scene on a rainy roadway, illustrating workplace transportation risks and the growing focus on road safety management for fleets.
SafetyJune 16, 2026

Managing Road Risk at Scale: Why Fleet Safety Needs a Data-Driven Framework

Insights from the FIA Road and Driver Safety Indexes reveal how to manage road risk on a larger scale.

Read More →
Close-up of a Jeep Wrangler front grille and headlight with text noting Stellantis’ recall of 1.3 million Jeep vehicles worldwide over a potential fire risk tied to power steering wiring.
Safetyby StaffJune 10, 2026

Stellantis Recalls 1.3 Million Jeep Vehicles Worldwide Over Fire Risk

Stellantis is recalling more than 1.3 million Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models worldwide over a fire risk linked to power steering pump wiring.

Read More →
Road signs pointing to “Safe” and “Risky” beside a glowing AI network graphic, illustrating the role of artificial intelligence in driver safety, coaching, training, and risk management.
SafetyJune 10, 2026

Coaching Is Not Training, Even When AI Is Doing It

AI-powered safety platforms can detect risky behaviors and deliver immediate feedback. But effective driver development still requires a foundation of training followed by coaching that reinforces those skills.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Driver resting in a vehicle seat, illustrating the dangers of fatigue and the importance of driver wellness, rest, and alertness for safe fleet and roadway operations.
Safetyby Judie NuskeyJune 9, 2026

How Emotions Behind the Wheel Can Affect Fleet Safety

During National Safety Month, fleets are encouraged to look beyond distracted driving and recognize how stress, fatigue, and emotional well-being influence driver performance and crash risk.

Read More →
A blue and red Automotive Fleet graphic calling for nominations for the fleet safety award.
Safetyby Faith HowellJune 4, 2026

Nominations Open for 2026 Fleet Safety Award

Nominations have officially opened for the 2026 Fleet Safety Award Winner.

Read More →
wheel geotab image
SponsoredJune 1, 2026

Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter

Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A person holding a clipboard and writing on an inspection checklist beside the wheel of a large white vehicle, likely conducting a fleet or safety inspection.
SponsoredJune 1, 2026

Cameras, Safety and Insurance: From Reactive Claims to Real-time Prevention

Commercial auto remains one of the most challenging and costly lines of coverage for fleet operators and insurers alike. Learn more about how to effectively address these issues from Onur Aksan, Enterprise Business Development Executive, Geotab.

Read More →
A Fleet Forward Conference graphic representing the safety symposium.
Safetyby Chris BrownMay 29, 2026

NAFA Fleet Safety Symposium to Collocate With 2026 Fleet Forward Conference

The daylong certificate program will precede the Fleet Forward Conference at the Gaylord National Harbor in Maryland.

Read More →
A person with hands on the steering wheel driving
Safetyby Judie NuskeyMay 15, 2026

The Distractions You Can’t Turn Off: What Drivers Face Outside the Vehicle

Fleet drivers face constant visual, cognitive, and environmental interruptions the moment they hit the road. From roadside chaos to mental fatigue and digital overload, today’s biggest driving risks often come from outside the vehicle itself.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Hail covers the windshield and hood of a black vehicle with text overlay about FLASH Weather AI’s new hail prediction model.
Safetyby News/Media ReleaseMay 13, 2026

FLASH Weather AI Launches First Deep-Learning Hail Prediction Model With High-Resolution Forecasting

FLASH Weather AI has launched a first-of-its-kind hail prediction model capable of forecasting hail size and arrival time at 1-kilometer resolution up to 55 minutes ahead, giving fleets and insurers critical time to prepare for severe storms.

Read More →