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Chevrolet suspension recalls: control arms and bolts that can break
Front lower control arms dominate this group. Chevrolet recalled the Trax twice — April and September 2019 — for improperly welded joints in one or both front lower control arms, covering 2015-2019 model years, and a June 2024 recall targets a manufacturing defect in the right front lower control arm of the 2024 Blazer EV that can cause it to fracture. Two more are fastener problems: rear suspension outer control arm bolts on the 2023 Tahoe, Suburban, Escalade and Yukon that were not properly heat-treated and can break, and rear axle U-bolt nuts left loose on the 2019 Chevrolet 5500HD, an Isuzu-built truck where the driveshaft can drop and the engine stall.
Warning signs to watch for
- A change in steering or handling if a front lower control arm joint breaks and the arm partially separates (Trax, Blazer EV)
- A sudden loss of control — the notices treat a control arm fracture as something that can happen abruptly
- Loss of the driveshaft and an engine stall, possibly with little warning, on the 5500HD
- No warning at all on the 2023 Escalade, Tahoe, Suburban and Yukon: GM says the rear control arm bolts can break without warning
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of these five recalls tells you to stop driving or park outside. GM treats the Blazer EV control arm, the Trax welds and the 2023 full-size SUV rear bolts as serious enough to inspect promptly, because a broken suspension part can take away handling and steering, and the SUV bolts can break with no warning first. The 5500HD axle nut recall is the same story — the truck can lose its driveshaft and stall — so schedule it rather than waiting. Driving until the appointment is acceptable in all five.
What the free repair involves
Mostly inspect-and-replace. Dealers check the left and right front lower control arms on the Trax and the right front arm on the Blazer EV, replacing them when the defect is found. On the 2023 Escalade, Tahoe, Suburban and Yukon, both rear suspension outer control arm bolts are replaced outright. Isuzu dealers inspect the 5500HD rear axle U-bolt nuts and replace or tighten them. No charge for any of it.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 1 |
| high | 4 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-06-28 | Chevrolet Blazer EV Front Control Arm May Break | critical |
| 2023-09-20 | Cadillac Escalade, Tahoe and Yukon rear suspension bolts break | high |
| 2021-03-19 | Chevrolet and Isuzu trucks may lose rear axle nuts | high |
| 2019-09-12 | Chevrolet Trax front suspension arm may break | high |
| 2019-04-18 | Chevrolet Trax front control arm weld may break | high |
Common questions
My Trax already had a control arm recall in 2019 — why a second one?
Both 2019 Trax recalls cover the same improperly welded joint in the front lower control arms, but different build ranges: one lists 2017-2019 vehicles, the other 2015-2018. Dealers inspect the left and right front arms and replace them as necessary, free.
Why is my Chevrolet 5500HD covered by an Isuzu recall?
The 2019 Chevrolet 5500HD is an Isuzu-built truck, so Isuzu runs this recall alongside the NPR, NQR and NRR models. Isuzu dealers inspect and, if needed, replace and tighten the rear axle U-bolt nuts, free of charge.
Can a rear suspension bolt on my 2023 Tahoe break with no warning?
GM's notice says the rear suspension outer control arm bolts may not have been properly heat-treated and can break, and describes a bolt breaking without warning. Dealers replace both rear bolts free; there is no stop-driving instruction attached.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.