Large Recall NHTSA · 21V496000 Reported July 1, 2021

Short circuit in engine block heater cable

General Motors, Llc · Equipment · 338,020 vehicles potentially affected

NHTSA ID
21V496000
Manufacturer Campaign
N212329840
Manufacturer
Component
Equipment
Vehicles Affected
338,020
Recall Type
Vehicle
Report Received
July 1, 2021
Completion Rate
80.69

Defect Summary

General motors, llc (gm) is recalling certain 2017-2019 chevrolet silverado 2500, 3500 and 2017-2019 gmc sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with a duramax diesel 6.6 liter engine and an optional engine-block heater cord. an electrical short-circuit may occur in the engine-block heater cable or in the terminals that connect the heater cable to the block heater.

Safety Consequence

An electrical short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Corrective Action

Dealers will replace engine block heaters and heater cords. Vehicles that have this feature disabled as a remedy to the safety condition will be contacted and offered replacement block heaters and heater cords under a separate customer satisfaction program, free of charge. gm will provide free replacement block heaters and cords under a separate customer satisfaction campaign. for vehicles previously included in recall 19v-328, the heater cord will be replaced and rerouted, free of charge. interim owner notifications were mailed on august 13, 2021. owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on april 4, 2022. customers may call gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782. gm's number for this recall is 212329840.

What you should do

  1. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm this recall applies to your vehicle.
  2. Contact an authorized General Motors, Llc dealer and reference recall ID 21V496000 or campaign N212329840.
  3. Schedule the free repair. By federal law, the manufacturer must remedy the defect at no cost.
View Official NHTSA Notice →
Related

Similar Recalls

Other recalls from General Motors, Llc or involving Equipment.

FAQ: Recall 21V496000

Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.

What is recall 21V496000?

NHTSA recall 21V496000 was issued by General Motors, Llc on July 1, 2021. It addresses: Short circuit in engine block heater cable. The recall affects approximately 338,020 vehicles, with the defect involving the Equipment component.

How do I get this recall repaired?

Contact any authorized General Motors, Llc dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 21V496000 or the manufacturer campaign number N212329840. Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.

Is my vehicle included in this recall?

The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.

How long do I have to get a recall repair done?

There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.

Where does the data on this page come from?

All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.