Recall 10V080 affects 142 2009 Gem neighborhood electric vehicles for parking-brake cable separation. Repair is free at any franchised Gem dealer.
Gem is recalling 142 2009 neighborhood electric vehicles, including the El, E2, E4, Es, El Xd, and E6, because a miscrimped parking brake cable can separate from the actuator handle while the brake is applied. A parked vehicle can roll away on a hill and increase the risk of a crash or injury; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The parking brake on the 2009 Gem El, E2, E4, Es, El Xd, and E6 is a separate holding system from the main service brakes. A cable runs from the actuator handle to the parking brake mechanism, so pulling the handle applies tension and keeps the brake engaged when the neighborhood electric vehicle is parked or stopped.
On affected Gem vehicles, that cable was improperly crimped at the handle end. The crimp is the metal clamp that secures the cable to the actuator handle. If the crimp does not hold, the cable separates from the handle while the parking brake is applied, and the handle no longer keeps tension on the brake.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner will not have a reliable early cue before the cable separates, so a parking brake that feels loose, changes suddenly, or does not hold should be treated as a repair issue.
Who's affected?
Covers six Gem models from the same 2009 model year, all tied to the parking brake.
| 2009 Gem El | Parking brake |
|---|---|
| 2009 Gem E2 | Parking brake |
| 2009 Gem E4 | Parking brake |
| 2009 Gem Es | Parking brake |
| 2009 Gem El Xd | Parking brake |
| 2009 Gem E6 | Parking brake |
| Units affected | 142 |
The matching year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A faulty parking brake lever assembly can let the vehicle roll away on a hill, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Use extra care when parking on grades, set the brake fully, and schedule service promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Gem dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009 Gem El, E2, E4, Es, El Xd, or E6 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Gem dealer to ask about recall number 10V080 and the free parking-brake lever assembly repair.
- Schedule the parking-brake lever assembly replacement that fixes the cable separation at the actuator handle.
- Bring the recall notice if Gem mailed one, and reference recall number 10V080 when you call.
- Avoid parking on hills until the repair is complete, since the vehicle can roll away if the parking brake cable separates.
What happens at the repair
Gem's remedy is to replace the parking brake lever assembly. At the dealer, a Gem technician removes the affected lever assembly connected to the parking brake actuator handle and installs the replacement assembly. The repair is free under the recall. The recall repair began on March 10, 2010, so ask the dealer to confirm parts availability when you schedule service for the affected 2009 Gem vehicle.
Timeline
| March 4, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 10, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V080?
Recall 10V080 covers 142 2009 Gem El, E2, E4, Es, El Xd, and E6 neighborhood electric vehicles with a parking brake cable that was improperly crimped. The cable can separate from the actuator handle while applied. Gem dealers will replace the parking brake lever assembly for free.
What should I do if my 2009 Gem El, E2, E4, Es, El Xd, or E6 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 10V080. If it is, contact a franchised Gem dealer to schedule the parking brake lever assembly replacement. Reference recall number 10V080 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Gem will replace the parking brake lever assembly free of charge at a franchised Gem dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 10V080?
The safety risk is rollaway. If the parking brake cable separates from the actuator handle while the brake is applied, the vehicle can roll away on a hill and increase the risk of crash or injury. The free repair replaces the parking brake lever assembly.
What if I bought my 2009 Gem used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Gem is included, then call a franchised Gem dealer and reference recall number 10V080.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V080000 |
|---|---|
| Gem customer service | 866-764-0616 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V080 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V080000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →