Certain full-size GM SUVs will no longer offer the Electronic Steering Column Lock feature. Exclusion of the feature is due to the ongoing global microchip shortage.
The GM SUVs affected by this change include the 2021 Chevy Tahoe, 2021 Chevy Suburban, 2021 GMC Yukon / Yukon XL, and 2021 Cadillac Escalade / Escalade ESV, each of which introduce a brand-new generation for the 2021 model year.
Production of those GM SUVs that no longer include the the Electronic Steering Column Lock feature began on July 5th, 2021. The exclusion of the Electronic Steering Column Lock feature enables continued production of the full-size GM SUVs to help meet strong customer and dealer demand.
Affected GM SUVs with a scheduled production date on or after July 5th will be tagged with RPO code R7N, indicating that they are not equipped with the Electronic Steering Column Lock feature. Affected models will also include a $50 MSRP credit.
The change in availability for the Electronic Steering Column Lock feature is expected to remain in place for the remainder of the 2021 model year.
The microchip shortage has affected the entirety of the automotive industry, with widespread production cuts and reduced feature availability all around the world. One estimate in May put the affected GM production numbers at 278,000 fewer units globally.
In order to alleviate the impact of the microchip shortage with regard to its most in-demand vehicles, General Motors has continued to build models without certain features. This includes the deletion of the automatic engine stop-start feature from full-size GM SUVs equipped with either the naturally aspirated 5.3L V8 L84 or 6.2L V8 L87 when mated to the GM 10-speed automatic transmission. Models equipped with the 3.0L I6 LM2 turbodiesel Duramax are not affected by the removal of automatic engine stop-start.
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Comments
I’m pretty sure this feature still exists so some old fart doesn’t complain. It serves no purpose and is not required in the US ever since cars got immobilizers.
Is this the thing that locks the wheel when you try to move it while the vehicle is off?
Yes. The goal is to prevent you from driving off if you hot wire the car.
Thank you both for clarifying. I was about to ask what that was. I doubt anyone would miss it, if they noticed.
Your insurance premiums will likely alert you!
Don’t ever put auto start stop again I’ll give gm 50 bucks
Cmon, you don’t love how your car shuts off at every intersection so that you can possibly save 1mpg which would equate to 3$ saved every 440 city miles you drive?
And it saves 5-7% in green house gases which helps slow global warming. If Portland/Canada two weeks ago was any indication we need to slow all that down as weather events can get bad in the future.
I am all for it, barely noticeable, saves some money and environment and doesn’t make the car any less reliable or require any more repairs. What is the big fuss? It isn’t unsafe either (there are a few Karen’s out there that mentions that).
Um, Global Warming is a cyclical cycle. If we stop it we will likely all die from the repercussions. We may be accelerating the cycle, but we are not creating a new problem!
Unless we find fossils proving dinosaurs had SUVs…
I have a 2019 Buick regal GS with auto start stop. I just use the override, to restart it when I wait at A red light. It is simple just lift your foot off the break and step on it again. The engine will continue to idle no matter how long the light is it won’t shut it off a second time.
Try this and let me know if it works or not. And tell me what vehicle you have.
Hopefully the US Govt. is providing incentives for chip manufacturers to build chip plants in the US. I realize it will take years for this to ramp up, but it seems important. Maybe it’s better to have domestic chips that cost 15% more over no chips at all.
It is time for GM and the auto industry to upgrade to modern microchips….no other way around it! I can buy a $5 Raspberry Pi that’s more capable than these $50 dollar chips that they can’t get! BS!
Your Raspberry Pi doesn’t have a 20 year lifetime operating in a 125 C environment. It’s a cell phone chip that’s intended to be tossed after 3 years. More importantly, your Raspberry Pi doesn’t cause traffic accidents and fatalities when it dies in operation.
What percentage of people use Electronic Steering Column Lock?
My Buick Regal does not have it but my previous cars did and I like the ease of knowing you have that feature to keep from some idiot driving off with your car.
I nearly had a heart attack. I had to read the headline 3 times before I saw the word “lock”. I thought they were getting rid of the electric power steering!!! lol Thank goodness, I could care less about the lock.
I never even heard of this lock before… apparently my Escalade has it because I can no longer start it! A message started popping up to Service Steering Column Lock- now the car will not start (and the wheel is locked). Had to have it towed in to dealer, the part is on delay so who knows when I will see it again…
sure other securuty features keep it from being stolen, but roll up a flat bed and steer the car up onto it, take it away.. makes it easier for thieves