We have a sneaking suspicion that some higher-ups at GM are feeling quite embarrassed now, because a day or so after NHTSA declared the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado & GMC Sierra the safest trucks in the segment with a 5-star safety rating, they are announcing a safety recall. The reason: they might catch fire.  

Granted, it has nothing to do with the trucks’ safety features and their performance in crash tests, and is most likely the result of poor engineering. But we think everybody agrees that going up in flames is a serious safety hazard. So far, eight fires have been reported, but fortunately no injuries.

In total, 303,000 trucks are being recalled in America, and another 67,000 units in Canada and Mexico. The issue is apparently with a software glitch that can cause overheating in the exhaust system, setting some of the more vulnerable materials on fire.

The issue has only been reported on Silverados and Sierras equipped with the 4.3-liter or 5.3-liter engine. The 6.2 models appear to be fine. However, if your car keeps flashing the engine check light at you, it is probably faulty. Affected vehicles will have their software updated by GM dealers free of charge.