Latest news with #firehazard
Auto Blog
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Thousands Of Chevrolet Silverado Pickups Could Host An Impromptu Bonfire
2019-2024 Silverados Recalled Over Brake Issue A new recall was issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration yesterday, affecting 62,468 vehicles that may be at risk of catching fire. According to the NHTSA recall documents, Chevrolet Silverado Medium Duty pickups (4500HD, 5500HD, 6500HD) produced from 2019-2024 may have a fault within their brake pressure sensor assemblies that could lead to a brake fluid leak. In the worst cases, after this brake fluid leaks into the brake pressure switch and causes a short circuit, a fire can break out. As a result, 'owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete.' Chemical Issues Could Cause Fire Source: Chevrolet The recall places the blame for the issue on the use of an unauthorized chemical by the supplier of the brake assembly, and it appears to be something that GM has been working on for some time. A recall was issued in April 2023 to address a fragmenting zinc sealant that could interfere with a diaphragm that prevents brake fluid from leaking into the sensor wiring harness. Then, in October of 2024, a quality manager flagged an issue with a 2023 Silverado Medium Duty pickup 'that was exhibiting unintended brake pump activation.' This vehicle was not covered by the earlier recall, and when another similar report was filed over a 2021 vehicle, GM knew there was an issue. The automaker investigated in January 2025, and in March, it asked its supplier (Akron Rubber Development Lab) to test its components. Testing was completed by the end of April, by which point GM's investigator identified one alleged fire among 160 potentially related reports, prompting the recall. No accidents or injuries related to the issue have come to GM's attention. Only A Handful Of Vehicles Expected To Be Impacted Vehicles that were already recalled under the April 2023 notice will need to be repaired again, and owners can expect to receive notification letters in the mail from July 28, with secondary letters to be mailed once a remedy is available. When it is, dealers will replace the brake pressure switch wire harness free of charge. Fortunately, although all owners impacted by the recall should play it safe and park outside and away from buildings, only around 1% of the recalled vehicles are expected to be affected. Silverado Medium Duty trucks from the 2024 model year are not affected since they were 'produced with a brake switch wire harness that includes a silicone sealant.' This new recall follows one that was issued at the end of last month for Cadillac Lyriq EVs that could have blank touchscreen displays, an issue that first appeared in 2022. Whether it's a novel EV or an old-school workhorse, recalls are just a part of production, and GM can at least take comfort in the knowledge that it's having a much better time with the NHTSA than Ford. Source: Chevrolet Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. About the Author Sebastian Cenizo View Profile
CNA
a day ago
- CNA
China bans uncertified power banks on domestic flights starting Jun 28 over fire risk
BEIJING: China will ban uncertified power banks on all domestic flights starting Saturday (Jun 28), as aviation authorities tighten safety rules following several onboard fire incidents linked to portable chargers. Passengers will no longer be allowed to bring power banks that lack the official China Compulsory Certification (CCC) mark, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said in a notice on Thursday. Power banks that have faded or illegible CCC labels or are part of a product recall will also be barred, added the national civil aviation regulator. The notice cited recent incidents of power banks catching fire or emitting smoke mid-flight, along with multiple product recalls involving major brands. 'These developments indicate that the power banks carried by passengers present safety and quality hazards, and the risks posed to civil aviation safety are growing,' CAAC said. Under the new rule, passengers without a valid CCC-certified device risk having their portable chargers confiscated at security or being denied boarding altogether. Airlines and their agents have been instructed to step up awareness campaigns about the fire risks associated with power banks, while airports are required to tighten inspections. CAAC has also called for improvements in the installation and maintenance of charging facilities at terminals. A record 730 million people flew domestically in 2024, according to CAAC. While most were Chinese residents, a portion included international visitors travelling within the country. In recent months, multiple in-flight smoke and fire incidents have been linked to power banks. On May 31, a China Southern Airlines flight from Hangzhou to Shenzhen was forced to turn back 15 minutes after take-off, after smoke was detected from a passenger's camera battery and power bank. Two months earlier, a Hong Kong Airlines flight from Hangzhou to Hong Kong was diverted to Fuzhou when a mid-air fire broke out in the overhead compartment. The blaze was suspected to have been caused by a power bank. Multiple Asian airlines, including carriers from Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong, have barred the in-flight use of power banks, though most still allow them to be carried in cabin luggage. At the same time, made-in-China power banks have come under scrutiny. Two major Chinese electronics manufacturers, Anker and Romoss, recently recalled more than 1.2 million portable chargers, citing battery issues that posed a fire risk.
The Independent
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
Urgent warning as General Motors recalls more than 62,000 vehicles over fire risk. These are the impacted vehicles
General Motors has recalled more than 62,000 trucks over risk of the vehicles catching fire. The car manufacturer is recalling Chevrolet Silverado Medium Duty 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD trucks from model years 2019 to 2024, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The administration warned in a Wednesday memo, 'The brake pressure sensor assembly may leak brake fluid into the brake pressure switch and cause a short circuit.' This electrical short can overheat the circuit and 'increase the risk of a fire while driving or parked,' the memo read. Owners of the recalled trucks are advised to park outside and away from their homes and other buildings until their vehicles are fixed. General Motors dealers will make the necessary repairs to the recalled vehicles at no cost to the owners. In April, General Motors recalled nearly 600,000 Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles over potential engine issues. General Motors had found 'the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure,' the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a recall report. The impacted vehicles were the Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL from model years 2021 to 2024.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Urgent warning as America's best-selling car is recalled over risk brakes can catch fire
America's favorite truck needs to go back to the dealership. GM is recalling 62,468 vehicles over the risk that a fault in the brake pressure sensor assembly may allow fluid to leak, increasing chances of an electrical short, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Thursday. An electrical short can generate excessive heat and could result in a fire, risking injury, NHTSA said. It added that an underhood fire may occur even when the vehicle is switched off or possibly unattended. The defect was caused by the use of an unauthorized chemical by the supplier of the brake assembly that caused a part to degrade over time, the agency said. The recall covers certain 2019-2024 Chevrolet Silverado vehicles. About 1 percent of the recalled vehicles are expected to have the defect.
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
‘We could have all died': 2 Ontario families horrified after washing machines suddenly catch fire
Two Ontario homeowners contacted CTV News after their washing machines caught on fire, almost burning their homes down. Ontario's Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) says they investigated over 670 fires involved dryers and washing machines over a five-year period. While most of those fires involved dryers, two Ontario homeowners contacted CTV News after their washing machines caught fire, almost burning their homes down. 'We could have all died,' said Chandra Lake of Brampton. It was last fall when Lake's three-year-old LG washing machine caught on fire. Lake told CTV News her daughter had been doing laundry and was about to leave the house to buy groceries when she noticed smoke coming from the basement. The family called 911 and firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze. 'They determined the drum might have seized and the motor was running and the friction might have caused the fire,' said Lake. For Lake's family, it was a traumatic experience. 'Just doing a load of laundry could have killed everyone in the house. When CTV News reached out to LG Canada on Lake's behalf, a spokesperson said in a statement, 'LG has been directly in touch with the customer. The unit was purchased 'as-is' and LG was not able to confirm the condition of the unit, or whether the unit was ever serviced previously. LG has since taken the unit back and sent it to our headquarters team to analyze. No fault was found, nor has any other incident of this nature been reported. The unit was replaced with a brand-new product at no expense to the customer.' But, another homeowner told CTV News they had a similar experience. 'Before the load was finished, it essentially burst into flames,' said Domenic Tetro of Cambridge. Tetro said his four-year-old LG washing machine also caught on fire in April. Fortunately, his family had two fire extinguishers and were able to put out the blaze. He said it's a lesson to never leave your washer or dryer operating unattended. 'You would never think you need to keep your washing machine attended at all times, but now I have a new life long fear. We will never leave them unattended again,' said Tetro. In Tetro's case, LG Canada told CTV News, 'This issue has been resolved. The customer was contacted, and a replacement unit was provided.' Uncommon, but can happen 'It is uncommon but washing machines can catch on fire. It can happen,' said Melissa Cicceocelli, Acting Division Chief for the Public Education and Professional Development Division with Toronto Fire Services. According to the OFM, between 2019 and 2023 there have been 22 washing machine fires and 648 dryer fires in the province. To avoid fires in the laundry room, the OFM recommends checking the washer and dryer cords for damage and making sure outlets have ground fault interrupters (GFCIS), inspecting and cleaning the lint trap after each load, checking the outdoor vent to ensure its unobstructed, and always turn the washer and dryer off if you leave home or go to bed. It's also recommended to never overload the machines as it can wear them out faster, and never use extension cords to avoid overheating. 'We want to make sure we are installing our smoke alarms and testing them and having a fire escape plan as well,' said Cicceocelli. While both washing machines in these instances were LG models, there were no indications as to whether the fires were connected. In the end, both Lake and Tetro were satisfied to get replacement washing machines, but they are hoping for more answers too.
