Another Issue to Handle
The GMC Sierra EV and Chevrolet Silverado EV are already struggling in sales amid shifting market demand, and now they face another issue: a potential safety recall. The two electric pickups may be equipped with defective spare wheels that could crack and create a safety risk.
According to GM Authority, GM has labeled the safety campaign N262556920, and it covers certain 2026-model-year Sierra EV and Silverado EV trucks. The issue has yet to appear in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall database, meaning no federal campaign number or recall population is currently available.
The Backup Plan Has a Problem
Some may argue that a trip to the dealership may not be worth it, given that the issue concerns only the spare wheel. However, while it may not present an immediate danger, owners should still follow the recall instructions so the spare is safe to use if needed. The report states that a manufacturing defect could cause cracking around the wheel’s disc vent holes.
If the condition worsens, the wheel disc could separate, reducing the driver’s ability to steer and increasing the risk of a crash. Given the size and weight of these electric pickups, maintaining full steering control is especially important. That risk is especially worth keeping in mind after installing the spare following a flat tire or another roadside event.
As part of the remedy, dealers will inspect the spare wheels and replace any from the affected production lots at no cost to owners. Dealers have already been instructed to inspect affected inventory before delivery, while owners are advised to wait for recall notification letters from GM. In the meantime, they can contact GMC Customer Assistance and reference GM Safety Recall N262556920 for more information.
A Developing Safety Campaign
GM has yet to disclose the total number of affected vehicles, which may become available once the campaign appears in NHTSA’s database.
Given that the Silverado EV and Sierra EV are not high-volume sellers, the recall population may be far smaller than, say, the 271,770 Chevrolet Malibus recalled earlier this year over a rearview-camera issue. For context, GM sold 11,275 Silverado EVs and 7,996 Sierra EVs in the U.S. in 2025.
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