Cadillac Escalade Recalled For Failing Brake Fluid Loss Detection

A failure in the brake fluid loss detection system has led GM to issue a noncompliance recall for several vehicle models, including the 2023 and 2024 Cadillac Escalade and the 2023 and 2024 Cadillac Escalade ESV.

As Recall number N242447990 describes, a fix is available for affected Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV units, with any such units still in dealership inventory requiring the fix to be applied before they can be traded to other dealers, sold, delivered or demonstrated under U.S. law.

The problem: the BRAKE warning light on affected Escalade and Escalade ESV SUVs may not illuminate if a brake fluid leak occurs, even when the brake fluid falls below the threshold when such a warning should appear, so that the owner is not warned of the leak.

The hazards: low brake fluid levels will cause brake pedal performance to become worse before the warning light appears because of this problem. Poor brake pedal performance could cause braking to become more difficult, possibly resulting in a heightened chance of collisions or other accidents.

The brake fluid warning light will not appear until some time after the threshold set by FMVSS 135 where loss of brake fluid should cause a warning to appear.

The fix: a fix is available for Escalade units affected by the brake fluid leak warning problem, with no components needed for the repair, which is entirely a matter of software reprogramming.

Owners can choose to receive the software fix via over-the-air (OTA) updates if their vehicle can accept these. Alternately, an affected Escalade can be brought to a dealership for a scheduled repair, with service personnel reprogramming the brake system control module in order to restore the proper brake fluid leak warning.

Affected components: brake system control module.

Affected vehicles: 

• 2023 Chevy Silverado
• 2023 Chevy Suburban
• 2024 Chevy Suburban
• 2023 Chevy Tahoe
• 2024 Chevy Tahoe
• 2023 GMC Sierra 1500
• 2023 GMC Yukon
• 2024 GMC Yukon
• 2023 GMC Yukon XL
• 2024 GMC Yukon XL
• 2023 Cadillac Escalade
• 2024 Cadillac Escalade
• 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV
• 2024 Cadillac Escalade ESV

Number of affected vehicles: there are 33,005 Cadillac Escalade and 19,209 Cadillac Escalade ESV units involved in the recall. Across all GM brands, a total of 449,671 vehicles are affected by the failed brake fluid loss detection issue.

Owners should: General Motors will use the mail to notify owners of affected Escalade units about the recall and available repair options. Both OTA and dealership reprogramming is offered free of charge.

If you have more questions about the recall or fix, you can call the Cadillac toll-free service telephone shown here, using the recall number to identify the issue if needed:

Contacts:

• GM recall number: N242447990
• Cadillac Customer Service: 1-800-333-4223