GM Recall: Inoperative Brake Fluid Warning Risk

General Motors (GM) has issued a recall for over 449,000 vehicles due to a software issue that could prevent the brake fluid warning light from illuminating. This recall affects certain 2023 and 2024 models of Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles. Without the warning light, drivers may unknowingly operate their vehicles with low brake fluid, increasing the risk of a crash. The affected vehicles fail to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135 regarding brake system warnings.

Key Highlights:

NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V674000
Affected Models: 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV.
Potential Units Affected: 449,671
Defect Description: A mismatch between the electronic brake control module (eBCM) software and calibrations prevents proper warning of brake fluid loss.
Safety Risk: Low brake fluid may reduce braking performance, increasing the crash risk.
Remedy: GM will update the eBCM software via over-the-air (OTA) updates or at a dealership, free of charge.
Notification Date: Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by October 28, 2024.

Details of the Recall

GM identified that some vehicles may not display the required warning light in the event of brake fluid loss due to a mismatch between the eBCM software and its calibration. While the vehicles still meet stopping distance requirements, this issue could lead to degraded brake performance without warning, posing a significant safety hazard.

Remedy Process

GM plans to address this issue by updating the eBCM software. Owners of affected vehicles will receive an over-the-air (OTA) update if available, or they can visit a dealership for a free software update. The recall covers vehicles manufactured before August 1, 2024, when the updated software was implemented in production.

Additional Support

For further assistance, owners can contact:

GMC Customer Service: 1-800-462-8782
Chevrolet Customer Service: 1-800-222-1020
Cadillac Customer Service: 1-800-458-8006

Alternatively, they may reach out to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at 1-888-327-4236 or visit www.nhtsa.gov.

This recall emphasizes the importance of vehicle safety standards compliance and GM’s proactive efforts to resolve the issue before any accidents or injuries occur.

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