mobile-menu-icon
GM Authority

Brake-Related GM Recall Impacts 230,000 Vehicles In U.S. & Canada

General Motors is recalling Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC vehicles over an issue with the brake system that could increase the risk of a crash.

The defect: affected models are equipped with rear brake caliper pistons that may have an insufficient coating, causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance (creating a soft or spongy feel when the driver depresses the brake pedal).

According to GM, the manufacturer of the brake pistons failed to properly chrome and temper the brake pistons during the manufacturing process. The condition can cause hydrogen gas to remain trapped in the piston body.

The hazards: a reduction in braking performance can increase the risk of a crash. GM said it is not aware of any crashes caused by the issue.

Affected components: brakes.

Affected vehicles: 2018-2019 model year:

  • Buick LaCrosse
  • Cadillac XTS
  • GMC Terrain
  • Chevrolet Bolt EV
  • Chevrolet Cruze
  • Chevrolet Equinox
  • Chevrolet Impala
  • Chevrolet Malibu
  • Chevrolet Volt

2018 Cadillac XTS exterior zoom 003

Number of vehicles affected: 230,000, with:

  • 210,628 vehicles in the U.S.
  • 19,385 vehicles in Canada

The fix: GM dealers will bleed the rear brakes as necessary to remove any gas.

Owners should: customers looking to find out if their vehicle is included in this GM recall should visit recalls.gm.com. There, owners will be able to enter their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see any open recalls as well as customer satisfaction programs. If the vehicle is part of the recall, then owners should take it to a dealer.

Owners can also contact GM customer service with questions by using the following information.

Contacts:

  • Chevrolet Customer Service: 1-800-222-1020
  • Cadillac Customer Service: 1-800-458-8006
  • Buick Customer Service: 1-800-521-7300
  • GMC Customer Service: 1-800-462-8782
  • GM Recall Number: 18279
  • NHTSA Toll Free: 1-888-327-4236
  • NHTSA (TTY): 1-800-424-9153
  • NHTSA Website: www.safecar.gov
  • NHTSA Recall Number: 18V576000

Notification Timeline:

GM’s report for the recall stated that ZF Group, the supplier of the brakes, was investigating similar reports for its brake calipers from other automakers, including Audi, Volkswagen and BMW. However, ZF did not notify GM until June 14th.

The GM recall document also stated that ZF’s July safety defect report did not list GM as a buyer of the affected brake calipers.

GM Authority Executive Editor with a passion for business strategy and fast cars.

Subscribe to GM Authority

For around-the-clock GM news coverage

We'll send you one email per day with the latest GM news. It's totally free.

Comments

  1. “GM’s report for the recall stated that ZF Group, the supplier of the brakes, was investigating similar reports for its brake calipers from other automakers, including Audi, Volkswagen and BMW. However, ZF did not notify GM until June 14th.”

    Wait… what… Audi and BMW? Ford fans always make it sound like GM uses Harbor Freight brake components on their vehicles. Weird.

    Reply
    1. Some of the calipers are by ZF… the rotors are GM in-house. But it depends on the model.

      Reply
  2. If the fix is to just bleed the rear brakes, this can be done during an oil change, using suction bleed equipment.

    Reply

Leave a comment

Cancel