Posted on 08/24/2026 2:23:15 PM PDT by DFG
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is taking a much closer look at GM’s electronic braking system, and the scope of the investigation has grown dramatically. What began with complaints involving the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq now covers nearly 1.2 million GM vehicles equipped with the same eBoost electronic brake system.
NHTSA originally opened its preliminary investigation in April 2024 after receiving reports of a hard brake pedal accompanied by a “Brake System Failure” warning. The agency’s latest action expands the investigation to all GM vehicles using the system as it tries to determine how widespread the problem could be and what safety consequences it might have.
Drivers Report Losing Brake Assist
The concern centers on what happens when the eBoost system fails. Drivers have reported an unusually hard brake pedal and an apparent loss of brake assistance, either when starting the vehicle or while driving. A sudden loss of brake assist can require substantially more pedal effort and potentially increase stopping distances.
According to NHTSA, there have been 745 reported incidents, including 22 crashes or fires and five injury incidents. Those numbers are part of the reason the agency has broadened its investigation beyond the Lyriq. GM has previously attributed the issue to a spindle inside the electronic brake control module that can fracture during an ABS event. The automaker has said that a spindle fracture should still leave the vehicle’s anti-lock brakes, stability control and traction control functional until it comes to a complete stop.
NHTSA Says Some Reports Don’t Match GM’s Explanation
NHTSA says some of the newer complaints describe a loss of brake assist while the vehicle is still being driven, rather than after the vehicle has already stopped. The distinction matters because the agency is specifically concerned that losing brake assist during braking could result in longer stopping distances and create a safety risk.
For now, there is no expanded recall covering the nearly 1.2 million vehicles that GM has eBoost on, spanning electric vehicles like the Equinox EV, Blazer EV, including its joint venture EVs – the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX. NHTSA’s investigation will determine whether the problem is more widespread than initially understood and whether additional action from GM is necessary.
EV.....the two letter acronym four letter word
King Barack and Queen Nancy imposed the mandates.
Only a fool would buy a new GM car.
Or a Fiatsler. And stay away from Fords too.
Then reject out of hand European and Korean cars.And be careful about many Japanese cars.
I used to be a big advocate for buying a new car based on the warranty and the fact you could get at least 5 years of trouble free driving.
Not any more.
so what kind would you recommend?
Nothing was better than hydraulic brakes with a vacuum booster. Same with Hydraulic steering. Tried and proven.
A non-turbo Toyota or Honda. I’m currently driving a 2025 Subaru Forester with the 2.5 four-cylinder engine they’ve been making for 20 years.
“A non-turbo Toyota or Honda. I’m currently driving a 2025 Subaru Forester with the 2.5 four-cylinder engine they’ve been making for 20 years.”
Toyota hybrids are probably the best new vehicle available as they don’t have turbos are much of the other insane gimmicks that Obama has required.
All brands are being squeezed by EPA and other nanny state regulations. Vehicles would be cheaper and more reliable without the BS low ROI regulations imposed.
hydro-boost brakes are even better than vacuum. lose power steering and if equipted an electric pump steps in and you do not lose braking assistance.
Need to get away from fly by wire. Too many interconnected circuits which can effect other parts of the system. Great performance when working. Chaos when it falls apart.
My cars electric powered radiator fan won’t turn on unless the air conditioner is turned on. I am sure it can be fixed but it is easier to turn on A/C. How did that happen? Gonna’ take a lot of sleuthing. Is it worth it for a car with 341 thousand miles? Try and reprogram(flash) the electronic tire pressure sensors when switching wheels around. Despite factory instructions, no professional could do it.
I'd start with the thermal switch. It automatically kicks on with the Air Conditioning regardless of temperature but may no longer switch on due to temperature alone.
I have the same issue with two Fords. The one seems unsolvable without replacing the TPS sensor/batteries within the wheel, which I'm not going to do due to the time and expense. So Ford decided I must be punished with each vehicle start, warning me of the faulty TPS sensor, then of the (not) low tire pressure.
...Click "OK" on steering wheel, then wait for second alarm to appear, then click "OK" again, THEN I can see relevant info.
This is the same vehicle with Sync bluetooth ("Powered by Microsoft!"), which takes 7 button clickes -- every start -- to do what my Toyota and seemingly every rental car on the planet can do automatically... connect to the phone for audio.
But the brakes work.
Had a problem with a 2011 Harley Street Glide. When the ABS failed you had no brakes. They should fail safe to standard if ABS fails. There’s an ABS for the front and rear. Harley said it was me...I sent a letter to NHTSB and BBB. Harley called and said they’d do the repairs free. Shortly after they did a tech service bulletin recall to correct their ABS problem.
Neither power steering nor power brakes will work if the ignition switch has a failure. Easy to have a wreck when one or both should fail.
BRAKING NEWS!.....................
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