General Motors has recalled certain 2023-2024 Cadillac Lyriq electric SUVs for a condition where the anti-lock braking system may activate unexpectedly, resulting in a loss of braking pressure or reduced stopping performance, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The recall covers only all-wheel-drive versions of the Lyriq and potentially affects up to 21,469 vehicles produced between Dec. 14, 2022, and Aug. 5.
GM will update the electronic brake control module software over-the-air at no cost. But Lyriq customers can also visit a GM dealer to have the software update performed. The update will address the condition that falsely detects wheel slippage, according to the NHTSA report.
GM was notified of two minor accidents due to a suspected loss of braking pressure on the Lyriq, which were received on Feb. 15 and March 12 of this year. The company was also made aware of a separate field complaint on Oct. 14, 2023, of a braking issue, which did not result in an accident.
GM opened an investigation on May 31, and conducted an extensive engineering analysis that determined the braking issue on the Lyriq was due to an ABS software fault.
However, the investigation concluded that the loss of brake pressure can only occur under very rare cases on a dry road surface at speeds under 25 mph. Under these conditions, a specific series of wheel movements can cause the vehicle’s ABS to release brake pressure, according to NHTSA.
Following its internal investigation, GM’s Safety Field Action Decision Authority decided to conduct a safety recall of the Lyriq on Aug. 1. GM is not aware of any injuries or fatalities associated with this condition.
Anti-lock braking systems work by continuously monitoring the precise rotational speed of each wheel. When a driver applies a vehicle’s brakes, the system checks for any variations in wheel speeds, which indicates wheel lockup or skidding.
If any loss of traction is detected by the ABS control unit, it can apply or release braking force to each wheel individually up to 40 times per second in order to prevent wheel lock up, which can lead to a loss of control. ABS combined with electronic stability control has been mandated on all passenger vehicles in the U.S. since Sept. 1, 2011.
The recall of the Lyriq is the model’s fifth since September 2022. Past problems included a blank infotainment screen, improperly welded high-voltage battery connections and seat belt brackets, and missing pedestrian warning sounds.
GM’s Blazer EV was also plagued with software problems when it launched last year. The faults led the automaker to issue a stop-sale of the EV on Dec. 22, 2023, that lasted through March 8, 2024, to allow its engineers to fix various software problems on the vehicle.
In December 2023, Edmunds reported 23 separate problems with a Blazer EV it purchased new for its long-term test fleet that had less than 2,000 miles on the odometer. The problems included a black infotainment screen, inoperable window switches and the loss of charging ability.
GM also paused sales of the 2024 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon mid-size trucks earlier this year to address intermittent software quality issues, Reuters reported in February.
Owner notification letters for the latest Lyriq recall are expected to be mailed Sept. 23.
