GM recalling 28K Cadillac SRX, Buick LaCrosse models for software fix

Washington — General Motors Co. said Wednesday it is recalling 28,000 vehicles in North America in new campaigns to reprogram software in 2013 Cadillac SRX crossovers and Buick LaCrosse sedans and to fix a small number of 2011 Chevrolet Express vans, which run on compressed natural gas, for fire risks.

The Detroit automaker said it is recalling about 28,000 Cadillac SRX and Buick LaCrosse vehicles to reprogram software that could allow the vehicles' automatic transmission to slip from manual to automatic mode unexpectedly.

According to documents posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, the issue was discovered in January as GM was working on the 2014 Cadillac SRX engineering development vehicle. There are no reported customer cases, nor are any crashes or injuries related to the condition known. GM changed the software to ensure the issue doesn't affect the 2014 model.

Dealers will notify owners on March 29. The issue doesn't affect the base model vehicles.

Separately, GM is also recalling 48 2011 model year versions of natural gas powered Chevrolet Express full-sized vans because an incorrectly built pressure release vent pipe could allow natural gas to vent into the passenger compartment that could lead to an explosion or fire risk. GM said it learned of the issue in December after an incident involving a pressure relief device.

GM contacted all owners by March 1. All of the 48 affected vans, which were sold to three U.S. fleet customers and one dealer, have been inspected under new vehicle warranty by the supplier who fits the Express vans with CNG capability. There are no known crashes, injuries or fires associated with the issue.

dshepardson@detroitnews.com

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