(May 5, 2014) General Motors announced last week that it is recalling 51,640 SUVs from the 2014 model year due to software that may not register fuel levels properly, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.

NHTSA said software in the engine-control module in some Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia SUVs may not accurately read fuel levels, possibly resulting in empty tanks or stalled engines that could lead to crashes.

The software defect follows GM’s recall of 7 million vehicles last quarter, including 2.59 million small cars for faulty ignition switches that allowed keys to slip out of their “on” positions, cutting engine power and disabling air bags. Federal safety regulators, U.S. Congress and the Justice Department are investigating why it took the company more than a decade to recall the Chevrolet Cobalt and other vehicles linked to at least 13 deaths in accidents.

GM says dealers will reprogram the software for free, starting immediately. The company will also notify owners by mail.

Source: Press reports