General Motors Co. recalled 449,671 vehicles for a software fault in the electronic brake control module, which may fail to illuminate the brake warning light on the dash if a loss of brake fluid occurs, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Without a warning light, drivers may be unaware that the brake fluid is low, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash, according to the NHTSA.
The recalled vehicles include certain 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups, as well as the 2023-2024 models for the following vehicles: Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban; GMC Yukon and Yukon XL SUVs; and the Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV. According to the NHTSA, 100% of these vehicles have the software defect.
GM reviewed manufacturing records to determine the exact number of affected vehicles. The recalled vehicles were produced at various periods between August 2022 and July 24, 2024.
The problem was discovered by a GM engineer on April 18, who then reported the issue to the automaker’s internal “Speak Up For Safety” program, which encourages any employee at the company to report safety concerns without fear of retaliation. The engineer was performing a “forced brake fluid leak test” on a vehicle and observed that the brake warning light failed to illuminate when the fluid level dropped.
GM subsequently opened a product investigation on April 30. Its engineers discovered a mismatch between the electronic brake control module software and calibrations, according to the NHTSA report. A software update was implemented on vehicles produced after August 1.
The decision to conduct a noncompliance recall for vehicles produced before July 24 was made by GM’s Safety Field Action Decision Authority on Sept. 5.
GM will remedy the problem via an over-the-air software update for the electronic brake control module. Customers can also visit a dealer to have the software updated. The company is not aware of any crashes or injuries associated with this issue.
Dealers were notified of the recall on Sept. 12 and owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Oct. 28.
