Chevy Issues Recall for 80,000 Vehicles Due to Faulty Pedestrian Alert Sound System
FOX Business’ Max Gorden joins ‘Varney & Co.’ to break down President Donald Trump’s push for tiny Kei cars to be built in America and whether U.S. drivers are ready to downsize.
In a significant development, more than 80,000 Chevy vehicles are being recalled due to a defect in their pedestrian alert sound system, as reported by federal regulators. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a warning in December, indicating that certain 2025 to 2026 model year Chevrolet Equinox EV vehicles do not comply with federal traffic safety laws. Specifically, they fail to meet the minimum sound requirements mandated for hybrid and electric vehicles.
General Motors identified the issue after discovering that the pedestrian alert sound system in these vehicles may have incorrect software calibration. This malfunction means the vehicles will not produce the necessary exterior sound at the required volume when traveling from a stationary position to speeds of up to 6.2 mph, according to the NHTSA notice.
The recall notice highlights a crucial safety concern: some pedestrians may be unable to determine whether an approaching vehicle is accelerating or decelerating under certain conditions, which poses a risk to their safety. FORD NAMED NO. 1 MOST ICONIC AMERICAN COMPANY IN NATIONWIDE SURVEY: ‘MAKING PEOPLE’S LIVES BETTER’
Chevrolet shows off the new model 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV during the Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place convention center in Chicago, Illinois. (Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images / Getty Images)
A GM engineer reported the issue to the automaker’s Speak Up for Safety program in September after internal testing revealed that the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV failed to meet federal requirements under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 141. This standard dictates the necessary volume change when a vehicle travels from stationary to 10 km/h, as noted in the recall.
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A 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV on display at the Edmonton Motor Show. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Further investigation revealed that while the software calibrations for the 2025 and 2026 model years differ, both versions may not meet the required volume change when moving from a stationary position to 10 km/h. This discrepancy raises concerns about pedestrian safety.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROPOSES SCRAPPING AUTOMATED TRAFFIC CAMERAS IN DC
The recall was officially issued on December 11. Fortunately, there have been no reported accidents or incidents linked to this issue, as noted in the recall notice.
FOX Business’ Max Gorden joins ‘Varney & Co.’ to break down President Donald Trump’s push for tiny Kei cars to be built in America and whether U.S. drivers are ready to downsize.
In a significant development, more than 80,000 Chevy vehicles are being recalled due to a defect in their pedestrian alert sound system, as reported by federal regulators. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a warning in December, indicating that certain 2025 to 2026 model year Chevrolet Equinox EV vehicles do not comply with federal traffic safety laws. Specifically, they fail to meet the minimum sound requirements mandated for hybrid and electric vehicles.
General Motors identified the issue after discovering that the pedestrian alert sound system in these vehicles may have incorrect software calibration. This malfunction means the vehicles will not produce the necessary exterior sound at the required volume when traveling from a stationary position to speeds of up to 6.2 mph, according to the NHTSA notice.
The recall notice highlights a crucial safety concern: some pedestrians may be unable to determine whether an approaching vehicle is accelerating or decelerating under certain conditions, which poses a risk to their safety. FORD NAMED NO. 1 MOST ICONIC AMERICAN COMPANY IN NATIONWIDE SURVEY: ‘MAKING PEOPLE’S LIVES BETTER’
Chevrolet shows off the new model 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV during the Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place convention center in Chicago, Illinois. (Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images / Getty Images)
A GM engineer reported the issue to the automaker’s Speak Up for Safety program in September after internal testing revealed that the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV failed to meet federal requirements under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 141. This standard dictates the necessary volume change when a vehicle travels from stationary to 10 km/h, as noted in the recall.
MIKE ROWE, FORD CEO WARN AMERICA’S MANUFACTURING CRISIS IS AT A BREAKING POINT AS CHINA SURGES AHEAD
A 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV on display at the Edmonton Motor Show. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Further investigation revealed that while the software calibrations for the 2025 and 2026 model years differ, both versions may not meet the required volume change when moving from a stationary position to 10 km/h. This discrepancy raises concerns about pedestrian safety.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROPOSES SCRAPPING AUTOMATED TRAFFIC CAMERAS IN DC
The recall was officially issued on December 11. Fortunately, there have been no reported accidents or incidents linked to this issue, as noted in the recall notice.
