By: Joshua Wisel
WASHINGTON (UATV)– General Motors filed documents with the National Traffic Safety Administration to initiate a safety recall that includes roughly 449,671 trucks and SUV’s. It’s estimated that 100% of the vehicles included have the highlighted defect in the recall.
According to GM’s safety recall report, GM found an issue with certain 2023-24 model Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC Vehicles. This includes Chevy Tahoe, Suburban, Silverado, and GMC’s Yukon, Cadillac Escalade models.
The defect lies within the brake fluid system, where a leak could occur and the system would not be able to properly alert a driver to the issue, which could lead to a higher risk for a crash.
“In the event of a brake fluid leak, the vehicle’s brake pedal performance may degrade before the BRAKE telltale timely illuminates in accordance with FMVSS 135, increasing the risk of a crash,” reads the report. “The condition is caused by a mismatch between the electronic brake control module (eBCM) software and eBCM calibrations.”
The recall was issued, after a GM engineer in April discovered the problem when they observed no illumination of the warning light to alert on the loss of brake fluid. Upon further investigation, GM engineers discovered that the eBCM software and calibrations were mismatched at an assembly plant. This problem would cause vehicles that left the plant unable to detect the loss of brake fluid.
General Motors said they have not heard of any accidents or injuries as a result from this issue, and in early September decided to conduct a noncompliance recall.
“General Motors will update the software in the vehicles’ Electronic Brake Control Module (eBCM) to correct the condition,” reads the Description of Remedy. “Owners who have accepted applicable terms and conditions will have the opportunity to accept these software changes using OTA technology without having to bring their vehicle to a dealership.”
Dealers were notified of the recall as of Sept. 12, and owners will have the option to install the new updated software themselves from home, or schedule to have a dealer install it for them. Owner notifications of the recall are expected to begin by late October.
Vehicle owners will not be charged for the software update, as GM states that all vehicles included in the recall are still under warranty.
To see if your vehicle is included in the recall, vehicle owners are encouraged to visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website for recall information.