GMC to Recall Hummer EVs After Reports of Water Leaking Into Battery Pack

General Motors has filed a safety recall that will require repairs on 735 GMC Hummer EVs and 89 BrightDrop EV600 delivery vans, after reports of water leaking into the battery case.

“GM is aware of three confirmed reports of this condition causing water to enter the pack,” says a filing(Opens in a new window) published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). “In two of the cases, the vehicle would not start. In the third case, the vehicle lost propulsion while driving, [which] can increase the risk of a crash.”

There have not been any reports of fire due to the issue.

2022 GMC Hummer
(Credit: GMC)

The suspected culprit is improper adhesion of the sealant on the battery pack case. Faulty seals can allow water to enter the battery pack, triggering a warning light and message to appear on the dash, the report says. Hummers use GMC’s proprietary Ultium battery pack.

The automaker estimates the issue affects 1% of Hummer EVs sold, according to the NHTSA filing, but it’s recalling all the vehicles that have been delivered thus far so they can be fixed.

Interior screen where the warning message would likely appear.
(Credit: GMC)

The problem: That fix isn’t available yet. In an FAQ(Opens in a new window) that GM sent to dealers, the company says it’s “working to develop a remedy for this condition.” When that happens “and/or sufficient quantity of parts are available, the recall bulletin will be released, and dealers can begin repairing vehicles.”

Dealers were notified about the issue on Oct. 13, but GM doesn’t anticipate sending notices to customers until Nov. 28. Anyone who wants information before then can check their Vehicle Identification Number for field actions on the GM Owner Center(Opens in a new window) website or via NHTSA’s website(Opens in a new window).

Customers will not be charged for the fix, and GM says it will provide “courtesy transportation(Opens in a new window)” for those who need it, provided they’re within warranty.

The $100,000, 4.5-ton trucks were created in the fastest development cycle in GM’s history, TheDrive reports(Opens in a new window). It was so popular that GMC had to stop taking reservations in July as it scaled up production, which was reported to be just 12 vehicles per day at the time.

FedEx is one customer of GM’s BrightDrop EV600 delivery vans, also affected by the recall.
(Credit: FedEx)

Back in March, the automaker hit its first stumbling block with a tail light issue affecting just 10 Hummer EVs, TheDrive repo(Opens in a new window)r(Opens in a new window)ts(Opens in a new window). Manufacturing issues are expected in brand-new vehicles, such as last month’s Rivian recall, but are likely unwelcome news to those looking to convince EV skeptics that battery-powered cars are the way of the future.

Hummer EV Recall Timeline