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Chevrolet Suspension Recalls Involve Control Arms and Axle Fasteners
Control arms and suspension fasteners recur across Chevrolet’s suspension notices. Trax appears twice: the April 2019 notice covers certain 2017-2019 vehicles, while the September 2019 notice covers certain 2015-2018 vehicles. Both describe improperly welded front lower-control-arm joints that may break and partially separate. Together, these notices give Trax the widest model-year coverage in this group. A separate truck notice covers rear axle U-bolt nuts on certain 2017-2020 Chevrolet 4500XD, 4500HD and 5500HD vehicles and 2020 5500XD vehicles. Other concerns involve improperly heat-treated rear control-arm bolts on 2023 Tahoe and Suburban vehicles and a potentially defective right front lower control arm on the 2024 Blazer EV.
Warning signs to watch for
- April 18 and September 12, 2019 Trax control-arm recalls: The attached front wheel could turn outward, affecting handling and steering.
- March 19, 2021 rear axle U-bolt recall: Propeller-shaft separation may cause loss of power to the rear wheels and a stall.
- September 20, 2023 Tahoe and Suburban suspension-bolt recall: A broken bolt can cause rear-wheel misalignment.
- June 28, 2024 Blazer EV control-arm recall: A fractured arm can cause loss of vehicle control.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
None of the listed suspension notices carries a stop-driving or park-outside instruction. The April 2019 Trax control-arm notice does not tell owners to stop driving, and neither does the September 2019 Trax notice. The March 2021 truck rear axle U-bolt notice likewise does not tell owners to stop driving. The September 2023 Tahoe and Suburban rear suspension bolt notice and the June 2024 Blazer EV right front lower-control-arm notice also do not tell owners to stop driving.
What the free repair involves
The Trax notices provide free inspection and replacement of front lower control arms as necessary. The truck U-bolt remedy provides free inspection and, if needed, replacement and tightening of rear axle U-bolt nuts. Tahoe and Suburban dealers replace both rear outer control-arm bolts free. Blazer EV dealers inspect and replace the right front lower control arm as necessary, free.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 5 |
Models affected most
Where owners report suspension problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under suspension for the Chevrolet models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 Chevrolet Trax | 34 |
| 2019 Chevrolet Trax | 19 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 28, 2024 | Chevrolet Blazer EV Front Suspension Arm May Fracture | high |
| Sep 20, 2023 | Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC SUVs Rear Suspension Bolts May Break | high |
| Mar 19, 2021 | Chevrolet 5500HD Rear Axle Bolts May Loosen | high |
| Sep 12, 2019 | Chevrolet Trax Recalled for Weak Control Arm Weld | high |
| Apr 18, 2019 | Chevrolet Trax Front Control Arm Weld May Break | high |
Common questions
Which Trax years are named in the control-arm notices?
The April 18, 2019 notice names certain 2017-2019 Trax vehicles. The September 12, 2019 notice names certain 2015-2018 Trax vehicles. Both call for inspection of the left and right front lower control arms, with replacement as necessary.
Does the Blazer EV recall require replacing both front control arms?
The June 28, 2024 notice identifies the right front lower control arm on certain 2024 Blazer EV vehicles. Its remedy is inspection and replacement of that arm as necessary, free of charge. It does not specify replacing both front arms.
What can happen if the truck rear axle U-bolt nuts loosen?
The March 2021 notice says loose rear axle U-bolt nuts may allow axle misalignment. That misalignment may cause propeller-shaft separation, loss of power to the rear wheels and a stall. Dealers inspect and, if needed, replace and tighten the nuts free.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.