Microchip Shortage Hits 2021 Chevy Tahoe, Suburban And GMC Yukon
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General Motors is at present unable to offer two options for the 2021 Chevy Tahoe, 2021 Chevy Suburban and 2021 GMC Yukon and Yukon XL full-size SUVs owing to the microchip shortage that is affecting the auto industry.
One of the options is the Air Ride Adaptive Suspension (production code F47) which is optional on the Chevy Tahoe Z71 and High Country, the Chevy Suburban Z71 and High Country, and the GMC Yukon AT4 and Denali. The other is the Max Trailering Package (production code NHT) which is optional on all Chevy Tahoe, Suburban and GMC Yukon trim levels, but is included in several optional high-end packages.
In fact, GM Authority has learned from sources close to the issue that General Motors is now cancelling Tahoe, Suburban, and Yukon/Yukon XL orders that contain the NHT option. Specifically, GM cancelled nearly 3,000 2021 Yukon/Yukon XL orders on Thursday that contain the NHT Max Trailering Package across the U.S. If dealers want to keep their production dates, they will need to remove the NHT Max Trailering Package or packages that include the option.
It is not yet clear whether the 2021 Cadillac Escalade is also affected by this problem. However, the items mentioned above are offered on the Escalade just as well, and it is built on the same GM T1 platform as the Tahoe, Suburban and Yukon. GM Authority has reached out to GM for comment but has not received a response at time of publication.
However, independent sources tell GM Authority that General Motors is currently looking for ways to mitigate the impact of the microchip shortage, which is also also impacting other manufacturers. Ford has had to suspend production at the Louisville, Kentucky plant where the Escape and Lincoln Corsair are assembled and Fiat Chrysler, which is in the process of becoming part of the new Stellantis conglomerate, has done the same at its Brampton, Ontario plant, home of the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger. FCA has also delayed the restart of production in Toluca, Mexico, where it builds the Jeep Compass.
Production of Toyota vehicles in Texas and Subarus in Gunma, Japan and Lafayette, Indiana appears to be continuing, but at reduced levels. Honda and Daimler do not seem to be affected yet, but are monitoring the situation closely.
There are several reasons for the shortage, but one of the most significant is related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Automakers who shut down factories due to safety concerns have attempted to compensate for lack of production now that they have re-opened, creating a spike in demand.
Meanwhile, sales of gaming consoles and other consumer electronic products, which use the same basic microchips, have been very high in the past year, due to an increase in (enforced) leisure time. This has put pressure on the supply chain, which is finding it difficult to meet the demand of the resurgent auto industry.
It is almost impossible to tell when the problem will be resolved, but some analysts believe it will continue until at least the third quarter of 2021.
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That’s the price automakers pay for making overpriced over complicated unreliable vehicles.
What? its also affecting computers memory modules. Did you not read, nothing to do with over priced vehicles its called supply and demand. The chip manufactures slowed production and didn’t like most people think production would ramp back up so fast.
Unreliable? Vehicles these days are tons more reliable than in decades before. You’d be hard pressed to keep a vehicle or road trip it around the country past 100k miles, pretty much any car these days can easily accomplish that with the manufacturing techniques that have been learned. Now they aren’t as easy to work on for the most part as back in the day, but then again a quick scan tool and a sensor replacement can be pretty easy rather than adjusting points and tuning carburetors. No need to tune cars in that way either. So no, your statement about vehicles being unreliable is just not true. Now they have become complicated as well as overpriced, but blame that on the consumers who are wanting more and more fancy crap in any vehicle they own.
As attached shows, these re-faced Tahoes and Suburbans are turning out to be pretty high-quality GM crap…
This is the second recall issued for the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon in recent months. The full-size SUVs were also recalled in December over an issue related to loose front seat bolts, though the problem affected less than 100 vehicles total.
The attachment bolts for the front seats may not have been properly reinstalled after the repair was completed and as such, the front seats may now be loose.
In March 2021, another TSB for incorrectly installed rear seat belts.
Replacing computer screens…
General Motors has issued a technical service bulletin for the Chevy Tahoe, Suburban and GMC Yukon full-size SUVs over an issue related to over-the-air (OTA) infotainment system updates.
The problem: affected vehicles may have a condition where, if an over-the-air update was sent to an affected vehicle, the update would fail. Customers will see the update is available in the infotainment display, but after accepting to the terms and conditions and attempting to install the update, they will receive an update failed message.
Seat electrical wires chafing issues…
GM also issued a TSB for certain examples of the 2021 Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon and Yukon XL last month over an issue related to the electrical connection to the seat-mounted inboard airbag system.
General Motors has issued a technical service bulletin for certain examples of the 2021 model-year Chevy Tahoe and Suburban and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL full-size SUVs over an issue related to the auxiliary heater coolant pump hose.
The problem: affected vehicles were built with a faulty horizontal hose for the auxiliary heater coolant pump. The clamp may not be properly aligned and positioned on the hose, or the hose is rolled over on the pump port. This GM service bulletin includes vehicles in dealer inventory and customer vehicles that return to the dealership for any reason.
March 26, 2021:
General Motors has issued a recall for certain examples of the 2021 model year Chevy Tahoe full-size SUV due to an issued related to the second row center seat belt latch.
The problem: in affected vehicles, the second-row center seat belt latch may be trapped beneath the trim bezel and therefore not accessible by the occupant for use. This would prevent the center seat passenger from being able to latch their seatbelt.
The hazards: an occupant who rides unbelted in the second-row center seating position has an increased risk of injury in a crash. Additionally, a vehicle that is produced with an inaccessible second-row center seat latch does not fully conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
General Motors has issued a technical service bulletin to address an issue related to the third-row headrests in certain 2021 model-year Chevy Tahoe, Suburban and GMC Yukon SUVs.
It seems your type of vehicle is one with a crank handle sticking out the front, a hand-operated wiper, and two holes in the floor for braking.
Cuz if ya want thing done right ‘n reliable, ya gotta do it yourself !
When your always outsourcing parts and components that’s what you get shortages when you snooze , you lose
Nobody can afford not to outsource chip manufacturing anymore, including tech companies. There’s only 3 companies in the world that are making modern chips: Samsung, TSMC, and Intel (which isn’t doing well). The investments run in 100s of billions of dollars.
AMD, Nvidia, Broadcom, Apple, Qualcomm, all outsource their chips. Major automotive electronics chipmakers NXP, ST and Freescale, all outsource their cutting edge chips too.
Lol, cheap n jealous folks here. One thing GM shouldn’t had gotten rid of was Hughes Electronics, maybe some of thier upstarts can make their own vehicle microprocessors.
Its cheaper and makes more since to have someone else make the chips. This industry is not like you can build a plant and make chips. There are a lot of moving parts and its best to focus on your product and let someone else make the small parts.
This is not just affecting car companies its going to trickle down to everyone before it gets better, especially if the economy grows it will make it worse for the time being.
It’s a difference from an door latch and the vehicle’s CPU. When they had Hughes they didn’t have to worry about displays and CPUs. Look at many outrageous late ’80s-90s GM digital displays, they came from H/E.
GM kept the automotive parts of Hughes Electronics. It became part of Delphi, which GM held, at least in part, until 2011.
More China problems. Way to go Barra.
Not just Barra. Virtually every car-maker is facing the same issue, even the vaunted, highly praised, master race German manufacturers.
Same story on the Cadillac Escalade. Super Cruise is almost impossible to get and now we are being told Air Ride is on Constraint along with 10 other items. Good news is the resell value on these will be great!
I have a Suburban High Country with the Duramax and HC Deluxe package on order. Diesel, NHT and Air Suspension are all running a train on my order right now. Ordered 12/9 and am hoping to get it by June/July at this point. I wanted less time to have a Mercedes built and delivered from across the world.
Feel for you but that’s life in the car world when techy parts are used in everything from toasters to fighter jets
It’s not about outsourcing or vertical integration. It’s about deadly virus crippling the world health & economy…
My Denali Duramax order was accepted into system OCT 10 after nine month wait to order it.
As of early January, there were only seven orders for Duramax units in the entire US – in a holding pattern
A week ago I received word that the build was to start first week of February
Now this!
Waiting for information today to find out what they want to cancel. Very unfortunate.
I blame no one…
I accept the disruption part of the life we are living with Covid.
Thank goodness there are people willing to work and keeping most things going.
It is really hard to bitch about a luxury vehicle, which is an elective decision.
But it disappoints me, and what is probably going to be a deal killer, is the removal of the NHT advance towing package.
I need a brake controller so I am waiting to find out exactly what gets removed and what will remain in the trailering options. I don’t really care about sideview cameras and all the “nice to have” bling stuff but I absolutely need to stop the trailer and I don’t want to put an aftermarket controller on a vehicle that should’ve had one to start with. So… I wait…again…
Why buy the top of the line expensive vehicle if you cannot get it with the Equipment you feel is necessary for your needs or desires.
A $450 option my stop my purchase of an $80k.
After 15 months waiting for the new 2021 Duramax and getting within “four weeks of delivery“…
Let’s all wish for good health. Then hopefully, most of the problems diminish.
I feel your pain. I’m one of those seven. Ordered duramax premier Tahoe with all the bells and whistles including NHT package. Ordered October, accepted November,TPW 12/28, then 1/25, two weeks before end of Jan event code 3400 “broadcast for production,” 1/25meaning loaded onto assembly plant computers. However I’m still waiting on VIN and am not feeling optimistic.
If you have hit 3400, the ball is rolling. The parts are lined up and yours is about to be built… in fact, I would not be surprised if you don’t get a VIN today or tomorrow.
This is encouraging! Thank you Dave. Will update as soon as I hear anything.
tduder: not sure if you are referring to the online chat or actual text messaging, but I’ve had more luck with actual text messaging than the online chat. I received the most info by texting the customer assistance number below.
“TO OPT-IN TO RECEIVE CUSTOMER SUPPORT TEXT MESSAGES IN THE UNITED STATES. You may receive customer support text messages by consenting online or texting “IN”, “Y”, or “Yes” to 23689 (GM Customer Care), 62836 (GM Customer Assistance) to opt-in.
Caveat—they provided me with event code each time I checked over the past month or so… up until this week. This past week they have just been giving me TPW 1/25. So…
Decided to contact my dealer (personal friend/try my best not to bother him although I’m sure he’d insist no bother… you know what I mean “are we there yet?!”)… anyway
Dave—you nailed it. Dealer confirmed it has been built (whew). Only thing is he hadn’t been invoiced for it yet nor has he received a vin. Thinks it will be here in SC end of the month.
I did not know about the texting option. I am going to try that tomorrow.
Congrats on being built! I remember when I ordered my Silverado it very quickly went through the build once parts were sequenced… I don’t know how far they backlog it but it can’t be much.
Looks like we both should get our Duramax vehicles end of Feb…
I did online chat-next to worthless
Just tried CS text but it appears I have to be invited…
All I have is the original order #.
I will ask my dealer tomorrow…(feel like a pest🙄)
Just glad it’s at the end of this cycle…
Thx for the feedback guys
PS you get to drive yours 1st…I’m stuck in Hawaiifor a couple of months 🙄😎🙏
You guys are good!
What’s the secret to getting real, & current info about your order?
Where do you guys get all the good information on your order?
I have done the “text“ to the GM people and I have to tell you they are next to worthless. They always refer you back to the dealership.
Why have the service if you don’t get any information from it?
My dealer got back to me and said that I will probably be OK since it’s scheduled to be built his week! (A 10/10/10 order date)
Sidebar: I Downloaded the 2021 Yukon manual, but it is so preliminary, that it shows the Tahoe dash, and no mention of the Duramax. Need something better- current- accurate… Any links
Great News at this end!
My GMC Yukon is now in transit to NorCal!
It is as ordered with Max tow pkg…Must have gotten all the “chips”
Think I’ll name it “One of Seven” (play on words from Jeri Ryan’s role as “7 of 9” 😉
Won’t be able to get in for a month as I’m “quarantined” in Hawaii…
Then I can really find out how the Duramax preforms in a 7000# beast…
Congratulations! That’s very exciting news.
Sorry for late update here… dealer let me know on 2/9 vehicle was on rail in NOLA.
2/11 texted the 62836 number for order status (so bizarre it wasn’t working for other… if I was invited perhaps I originally called customer service and opted to receive texts?). This time they updated me with origin, destination, and rail car #. Did some hyper stalking of rail car (slightly embarrassed to admit, but I’m excited). CSX rail does majority of e coast shipping. Called their customer service automated line and entered rail car number. As of yesterday it was in Waycross Ga. getting close!
Hummm Dealer said that mine comes the NorCal via transporter/truck
Ours must have come off the line next to each other
ViN 68204 but I’ve heard they are different from state to state
AND YOU SHOULD BE EXCITED…
Congratulations!!!
If I text 62836 will I find out my order status from January?
Lesson learned: go directly to your dealer and they will find out exactly what is going on with your order.
Some above have had success with the text information.
The best I got is to confirm that it was built after I knew that…
I consider both text & chat a waste of time.
Good Luck… I hope you got into production.
Got it! It’s awesome (previously owned 04 Tahoe 5.3 Vortec and 09 Tahoe 6.2 Vortec) Loved the reliability I had with those engines, but the mileage was brutal…. especially with the 6.2 when gas was creeping into $4.00 per gallon).
Recap:
Ordered late October
Accepted late November
TPW 12/28 pushed back to 1/25
Week before 1/25 event code 3400 with same TPW of 1/25
2/9 Vehicle had already been shipped from Arlington and was in NOLA on rail
Arrived 2/17
Congratulations!
Excellent
Now we need a Denali Duramax fanboy group to share real world mileage numbers & other good stuff….
Mine must be in SF by now…
Will GM NOW learn that there’s an advantage in stockpiling mission essential parts? Probably not!
The bean counter get rid of parts inventory just-in-time production is probably too well entrenched.
If nothing else, Covid 19 supply disruptions have again highlighted that just in time also carries serious risks and disadvantages. “Just in time” is successful only if there’s coordination between GM and suppliers. Disruptions to prompt parts delivery and production suffers.. With no stockpiled inventory of chips to buffer supply disruptions, if any one element is delayed the entire business suffers.
Your point is interesting and illustrates the just in time for mission critical parts. However, in the normal course, stockpiling parts can also be wasteful. Aside from requiring real estate for storage, stockpiled parts can only be used on certain products for a certain amount of time – whether due to product changes or market forces. Manufacturers do not want to be left with an unreasonable amount of orphaned parts (although customers might find that good for the repair market). Further, what is the correct amount to stockpile? How many weeks worth of supplies, and which supplies?
As unfortunate as the chip shortage is today, it was something that was unforeseeable. Yes, we can blame the OEMs for cancelling orders at the beginning of COVID, but the question remains how much would have been the right number. Irregardless, I believe we would have ended up in the same situation we are in now. It just might have taken another month or so to get there.
Ordered Yukon XL with Denali Ultimate and Max Trailering on Dec 8, both of which apparently are on constraint for who knows how long. Do you think I should expect June/July or even later for my vehicle at this point?
As if automakers didn’t have enough to worry about in the disaster that is the year 2020, General Motors is now having to fight against yet another unexpected problem: Mayflies. Per Automotive News, roughly 2,600 Chevrolet Tahoes and GMC Yukons that were built in Arlington, Texas got covered in black residue while in storage, and the insects are supposedly to blame. This has not only delayed shipments of highly anticipated 2021 models but also affected some that were delivered to dealers, at least one of which was allegedly in need of repainting