Recall 15V239 covers 628 2009-2010 Gem Elxd vehicles with frame welds that crack. Repair will be free at any franchised Gem dealer once available.
Gem is recalling 628 2009-2010 Elxd vehicles under recall 15V239 because frame welds between the cab and cargo bed can crack. If the welds fail, the frame can contact the pavement and stop the vehicle suddenly, increasing crash risk; the Gem dealer repair will be free once the remedy is available.
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What's wrong?
The frame on a 2009-2010 Gem Elxd is the main structure that holds the cab, cargo bed, suspension, and drivetrain in alignment. The welds between the cab and cargo bed are supposed to keep those sections tied together as the vehicle carries load and moves over uneven surfaces.
On affected Elxd vehicles, stress collects at those welds and nearby chassis joints during use. Over time, the weld area can crack. If the crack grows and is not found, the frame can eventually separate at that area. Later model frames added a reinforcing member in the same location, which points to the weak area in the earlier design.
What you can notice is visible damage, not a dashboard alert or sound. Inspect the frame area between the cab and cargo bed for cracks, especially cracks that have traveled up the sides of the frame rail. A frame with no cracks, or only minor cracks that have not spread up the frame rail, was described as safe to operate.
Who's affected?
The same body or structural component appears for both model years in the scope.
| 2010 Gem Elxd | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2009 Gem Elxd | body or structural component |
| Units affected | 628 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 4 field incidents to date. |
The 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?
Cracked frame welds can let the frame fall and contact the pavement, stopping the vehicle suddenly and increasing crash risk. A visual inspection can identify cracking. If cracks have spread up the sides of the frame rail, stop using the vehicle and call the dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Gem dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2010 Gem Elxd is included in this recall.
- Call Gem customer service at 1-888-704-5290 to confirm repair timing before scheduling service.
- Ask when a franchised Gem dealer can complete the free frame-weld repair that fixes the cracked-weld risk between the cab and cargo bed.
- Reference recall number 15V239 and Gem recall L-15-01 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and stop using the vehicle if the frame feels loose or the vehicle stops suddenly.
What happens at the repair
Gem's source remedy says dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge once the repair is available. At the dealer, a Gem technician addresses the frame weld area between the cab and cargo bed that is covered by this recall. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. If you paid for this repair before receiving the owner letter, Gem's reimbursement process allows you to ask for repayment through a Gem dealer or the Gem Consumer Service Department.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 22, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 15, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| May 15, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 15, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 28, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V239?
Recall 15V239 covers 628 2009-2010 Gem Elxd hybrid electric vehicles with frame welds between the cab and cargo bed that can crack. If the welds fail, the frame can drop and contact the pavement, stopping the vehicle suddenly and increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2009-2010 Gem Elxd is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 15V239. If it is, contact a franchised Gem dealer to schedule the frame repair. Reference recall number 15V239 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy says dealers will repair the affected Gem vehicles free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for the recall repair.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a sudden stop caused by cracked frame welds. If the frame drops and contacts the pavement, the vehicle can stop suddenly and increase crash risk. Confirm your VIN, then arrange the free dealer repair if your Gem Elxd is included.
What if I bought this Gem Elxd used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2009-2010 Gem Elxd is included, then reference recall 15V239 when you contact the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V239000 |
|---|---|
| Gem customer service | 1-888-704-5290 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V239 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V239000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →