Lemberg Law is investigating consumer complaints about malfunctioning turn signals in 2023-2024 Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles. Typically, when drivers use a turn signal, instead of self-canceling, it switches to the opposite direction for a few flashes. While many owners see it as a relatively minor irritation, others are concerned that it is a safety issue. The automaker admits there’s a defect, calling it a phantom turn signal flash that is probably a software anomaly. But currently, there isn’t a fix.
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What The Issue?
When drivers signal to go right, make the turn, and rotate the steering wheel back, the turn signal over-compensates and ends up turning the left signal on for about 3 blinks. The same happens when they signal to go left, with the overcompensation causing the right signal to blink. Replacing the turn signal stalk does not help.
On June 25, 2024, General Motors (GM) issued a bulletin, PIT61990, providing dealers with preliminary information that warns of “the possibility of a phantom turn signal flash after (a) signal is canceled.” The bulletin states that it is caused by a software issue. “Engineering is aware of this condition and is working towards a fix. This PI will be updated when a remedy is available.” Additionally, the bulletin states that all VINs for the 2023-2024 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon are affected by the issue, regardless of transmission type.
More recently, in August 2024, GM issued a technical service bulletin (TSB), 24-NA-176, with the subject line: Turn Signal Over Canceling. “Some customers may comment on the turn signal over canceling. When a customer uses their turn signal in either direction, instead of self-canceling it will switch to the opposite direction for a few flashes.” The TSB states, “The cause of the condition may be a software anomaly.” The correction, it says, is to reprogram the body control module (BCM).
However, complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate that as recently as September 2024, owners were being told by dealers that still wasn’t a fix.
What Owners Are Saying?
An NHTSA complaint about a 2023 Chevy Colorado by an owner from Oklahoma tells the story in a nutshell. Dated September 25, 2024, it states that when the driver signals to turn right, and the turn has been completed, the left signal turns on by itself.
Many owners on Reddit and the Colorado Fans forum talk about the defect as an annoyance. Others are more upset that dealers say they can’t duplicate the issue, so they can’t fix it. Unsurprisingly, there are also owners who have complained that the problem is extremely dangerous.
In a fairly recent Colorado Fans forum discussion, one owner describes how he fixed the defect himself. He states that “nothing is broken, it’s just the design of the vehicle.” He says he “popped the top half of the shroud off” and then refastened it. If you’re into DIY and know what you are doing, this might be an option.
But, if it’s as easy as he says, why can’t dealerships fix the problem? The other question is, If you need a drill, flathead screwdriver, and screws to fix it, why does GM maintain it’s a software issue?
Examples of NHTSA Complaints
Even though the automaker includes every single 2023-2024 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon manufactured is affected by the defect, there are more complaints about the Chevy than the Canyon. Here are some examples.
A complaint issued by an owner from Texas in June 2024 tells how the defect became evident in November 2023. It states that the truck turn signal indicator appears to have a design flaw. “It will frequently return past the turn signal stop position after making a standard 90-degree right-hand turn.” This movement initiates the left turn signal indicator to cycle for 3 cycles as if the driver is immediately attempting to turn left.
“This poses the risk of other drivers taking sudden or evasive actions to avoid the sudden and unexpected immediate lane change indications made by the vehicle.” The complaint continues, stating that this could result in the “reacting driver being rear-ended or other adverse effects of them taking sudden action.” The dealer replaced the turn signal indicator, but the fault recurred in the replacement unit.
An earlier complaint from June 2023, tells how the turn signal shifter failed on the day the owner started driving a brand new, 2023 Colorado. “When I move my turn signal left down (left turn position) and then back to the neutral position, the left turn signal stays active. The turn signal shifters also bind and get stuck in the neutral position and will not allow me to move the turn signal shifter upwards (right turn position). To fix this, I have to move the turn signal shifter back to the left turn position to get the shifter unstuck. Then it will allow me to move the turn signal shifter back upwards to the right turn position.
“I have been on the highway and unable to use my right turn signal to change lanes which is extremely dangerous. I am worried that it will cause an accident or that I will get a ticket for not using my turn signal.”
Another complaint from Texas in September 2024, tells how a teenager was involved in an accident because of the distraction of malfunctioning blinkers. It states that “Upon taking right turns with the right blinker, the LEFT blinker would subsequently illuminate for at least 4 blinks. Additionally, the CHECK ENGINE light was also illuminated. The vehicle only had less than 90 miles on it. As he took a right turn at a 4-way stop, he was distracted by the left blinker and attempted to turn off the blinker manually which caused him to steer into the curb. This caused him to lose control and hit a brick mailbox.” The damage to the vehicle was $8,500, and $1500 to replace the mailbox.
“The Chevrolet dealership service department indicated that blinker switches in new Colorados have been malfunctioning and they are replacing the blinker switches due to (the) defect.”
An owner from New York also issued a complaint in September 2024. This states that the “right turn signal auto-cancel activates (and the) left turn lane changes signal approximately 60% of the time. This may cause confusion to oncoming traffic and could lead to an accident.” In this case, the dealer didn’t road-test the vehicle and only tried to replicate the problem with a stationary vehicle. “This defect only arises while the vehicle is in motion.”
In July, an owner from Washington reported that a few days prior, after using the right turn signal, it would change to the left signal. This happened when it was supposed to return to the off position. Instead, it would momentarily signal about three flashes left.
This particular complaint states that it always happens when using the right-hand turn signal. The automaker warns it can happen either way!
A complaint from a New York owner in September 2024 had an ongoing problem with the 2024 Canyon highlights flickering. This is an issue that is causing considerable concern with 2024 Canyon owners. “While being extremely distracting and unsafe while driving, it also causes other drivers to think I’m flashing them. This leads them to flashing their high beams at me when oncoming and pulling over to let me pass when in front of me.”
When that first happened, the complaint reports, “After I completed a right turn, my left signal flashed 3-4 times. I brought it to the dealership and they said they suspect a ‘software glitch.’ But that GM hasn’t determined a cause or solution yet.
“It appears to affect models built in May/June 2024 and on. I was also told that the display screen in the truck can be/may become affected.” Despite agreeing that these defects are “unsafe,” the dealer would not provide a loaner or replacement “and said to keep driving the vehicle as-is until GM can come up with a fix.”
Forum Complaints
One of the discussion starters on this forum is from the owner of a new 2023 Colorado Trail Boss. On July 25, 2023, he asked if anyone else had turn signal issues. “When I turn my signal to go right, make the turn, and rotate the steering wheel back, the turn signal overcompensates and ends up turning the left signal on for about 3 blinks.” This is an example of an owner who considered the issue annoying rather than serious.
Several members of the forum say they have had the same problem. One states in June 2024, that the Colorado service department replaced the signal switch first, and then the SIR coil. But it didn’t solve the problem. “GM told me that no one has ever reported this particular issue. I told them that it is in multiple WWW forums (internet), and their response was that they don’t use Google for anything.”
In September 2024, a member wrote: “Well, I’m here to report that after having the turn signal switch assembly replaced, I’m back to having this issue again. I took the steering column shroud off to see if I can do anything but it doesn’t appear to be in the way to cause this issue.”
Reddit Complaints About the GMC Canyon
The very same complaint scenario can be seen on Reddit. We zoomed in on a conversation about the GMC Canyon. In about June 2024, a contributor wrote: “When I make a right turn and the turn signal is on, it clicks back and activates the left turn signal for about 3 clicks. This happens about 7 out of 10 times, and does not happen on left turns.” He states that he purchased the Canyon in April and says that it has been happening increasingly more often.
The issue is confirmed by many others, for example: “This is probably the most typical ‘quirk’ on these trucks. Not sure why GM struggles to make quality turn signal stalks, but they do. I’ve been told dealerships have a way in which they can take it apart and tighten the resistance of the switch reducing accidental engagement, but is it really a big enough deal to bother? That’s up to you.”
Here’s another comment. “I had the multifunction switch replaced. So far it has been fine the last week. But this seems to be a widespread issue. The part (was) originally backordered 3-4 weeks (ago), so something is up. Wouldn’t rule out (the) supply chain, but I think GM knows something.”
Same Issue? Here’s What You Can Do
Whether you have the turn signal GM identifies in its bulletins or any other related issues, Lemberg Law would like to hear about them. Call our Helpline or fill out a contact form so that we can contact you. We’ll assess your case and determine whether you are eligible to join our new class action investigation.
It’s not going to cost you anything because the law says GM must pay the legal bills for lemon law cases. What are you waiting for?
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
