GM is recalling nearly 500,000 pickups and SUVs. Here’s what you need to know.

General Motors said Wednesday it is recalling nearly 462,000 SUVs and pickups with diesel engines in the U.S. because of a defective transmission control valve that could malfunction and cause the rear wheels to lock, increasing the risk of a crash.

Drivers whose vehicles are affected by the transmission problem may experience harsh shifting ahead of any wheel problems, according to the automaker.

“A transmission control valve in some of these vehicles can be prone to excessive wear over time, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure in the valve, which can lead to rough shifting. In rare cases, the rear wheels may experience a temporary lockup,” according to documents posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“The transmission has a defect. While towing a 7,000 lb. trailer going up a small incline, the truck vibrated and immediately downshifted violently, causing the truck to skid and almost creating a knife-edge between the truck and the trailer,” said a complaint was filed with NHTSA in August by a driver of a Silverado 2500, the Autopian reports.

The recall applies to the following GM models:

2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 35002020-2022 GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 35002021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL

As a solution, GM says auto dealers will install new transmission control module software for free. The new software monitors the valve and detects excessive wear 10,000 miles before the wheels lock. If wear is detected, the transmission is limited to fifth gear, preventing wheel lock, which happens when the transmission downshifts from eighth gear.

Notification letters are expected to be sent to owners of the recalled vehicles on December 9. Motorists can contact GM Customer Service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac Customer Service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC Customer Service at 1-888-988-7267. 800-462-8782 or Chevrolet Customer Service at 1-800-222-1020. GM’s number for this recall is N242454440.

Owners can also contact NHTSA’s safety hotline at 888-327-4236 (toll-free at 1-800-424-9153) or visit www.nhtsa.gov for more information. The NHTSA number for the recall is 24V-797.

GM in September issued a similarly sized recall of its SUVs and pickups due to a faulty low brake fluid warning light that may not illuminate when brake fluid is low.

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