62,000+ General Motors vehicles recalled over risk of brakes catching fire

American automotive manufacturer General Motors has recalled more than 62,000 pickup trucks because their brakes could cause fires. GM is recalling 62,468 Chevrolet Silverado Medium Duty 4500HD, 5500HD and 6500HD models from years 2019 to 2024 (Picture: Getty Images)

‘The brake pressure sensor assembly may leak brake fluid into the brake pressure switch and cause a short circuit,’ GM informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in a letter on Wednesday. ‘An electrical short in the brake pressure switch can overheat the circuit and increase the risk of a fire while driving or parked’ (Picture: Getty Images)

In addition, an underhood fire could ignite if the vehicle is unattended or off. GM said the defect occurred because a supplier used an unauthorized chemical in assembling the brakes that causes them to degrade over time (Picture: Getty Images)

Only 1% of the recalled vehicles are expected to actually have the defect. Here are the GM vehicles under the recall and the number of vehicles affected: 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 5500 HD: 10,097 vehicles, 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 5500 HD: 7,339 vehicles, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 5500 HD: 6,948 vehicles, 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 5500 HD: 6,632 vehicles, 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 5500 HD: 6,424 vehicles, 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 5500 HD: 5,439 vehicles, 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 6500 HD: 5,102 vehicles, 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 6500 HD: 3,635 vehicles… (Picture: Getty Images)

… 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 6500 HD: 2,248 vehicles, 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 6500 HD: 2,191 vehicles, 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 6500 HD: 2,135 vehicles, 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 6500 HD: 1,804 vehicles, 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 4500 HD: 514 vehicles, 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 4500 HD: 483 vehicles, 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 4500 HD: 415 vehicles, 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500 HD: 389 vehicles, 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 4500 HD: 360 vehicles & 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 4500 HD: 313 vehicles (Picture: Getty Images)

Dealers will do free replacements of the brake pressure switch wire harness. Letters to owners on the safety risk are set to be mailed on July 28, and another set will be sent once the remedy is ready. Owners should park away from structures and outdoors until repairs are complete. Anyone with questions should contact GM, which is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan (Picture: Getty Images)