GM Recalls BrightDrop Zevo Electric Transmission Vans Over Front Drive Unit That Could Leak

The Detroit automaker was notified of the situation by an employee through Speak Up For Safety, a program that encourages the company’s employees to report safety-related issues. SUFS was launched at a time when GM’s biggest headache was a faulty ignition switch that caused 124 deaths.

According to the report attached below, the front drive unit of the 2022 model year BrightDrop Zevo 600 caught fire on December 7 last year. Not even a week later, on December 13, General Motors received another SUFS report on a front-wheel unit fire. For one reason or another, Detroit’s Big Three automakers did not open an investigation into the fire until December 22.

Investigations revealed that production of operating units during a specific build window may contain unspecified hardware. When this happens, the drive pin can cut its way through the outside of the front drive case, causing an oil leak. The elements of oil and fire do not mix, hence the lower fire reported.

Finally, the Part Safety Decision Authority decided to recall vehicles that could be affected due to the high risk of underground fires. Known as the X80, the front-wheel drive unit has part number 24041528 in the American automaker’s parts system. GM did not say whether this vehicle unit is manufactured by General Motors or a supplier.