GM Recalling 2014 Full-Size Pickups due to Possible Fire

There is a big recall coming from General Motors.  They plan to recall 370,000 units of the redesigned 2014 full-size pickup trucks, citing a software problem that could cause engine fires.  Yikes!

Our news partner, WZZM TV13 reported the automaker said late Friday that it decided to issue the voluntary recall after receiving reports of eight fires with no injuries in the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra.

The recall deals a blow to the otherwise hiccup-free launch of the pickup trucks and underscores the software intensity of new vehicles, which rely heavily on computer programming in the engineering and manufacturing process.

GM said the recall affects all of the 4.3-liter and 5.3-liter trucks the company has manufactured since production started in the summer, including 303,000 trucks in the U.S. and 67,000 in Canada and Mexico.

The company said it would take 20 minutes for dealers to reprogram software "that could lead to overheating of exhaust components, potentially causing engine compartment fires."

GM said it would distribute letters to customers on Jan. 16, but Silverado and Sierra owners can schedule repair appointments early this week.

"Until then, customers are urged to avoid leaving their trucks to idle unattended," the automaker said.