Certain 2023-2024 Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles fail to meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) for light vehicle baking systems. The problem is, the driver may not receive an indicator of a loss of brake fluid before the level is below FMVSS 135’s requirement.
The FMVSS 135 requires that vehicles have a system in place to warn the driver when the brake fluid level drops to a certain point. This allows time for the problem to be addressed before it affects braking performance. However, in the affected vehicles, the brake fluid warning light may not illuminate in time to alert the driver before the fluid drops below the required level. This delay in the warning light could lead to reduced brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
The following vehicle models are affected by this problem:
| 2023-2024 Cadillac Escalade |
| 2023-2024 Cadillac Escalade ESV |
| 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 |
| 2023-2024 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 |
| 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe |
| 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 |
| 2023-2024 GMC Yukon |
| 2023-2024 GMC Yukon XL |
GM became aware of this issue through its Speak Up for Safety (SUFS) program. A GM engineer noticed during a brake fluid leak test that the required warning light (referred to as the BRAKE telltale) did not illuminate as expected. This led GM to launch a full investigation. The issue was traced to a mismatch in the software and calibrations of the Electronic Brake Control Module (eBCM). This software mismatch was preventing the vehicle from detecting a brake fluid leak in time to alert the driver. Fortunately, GM has not received any reports of crashes or injuries related to this issue, but the potential for delayed notification of a brake fluid leak poses a safety concern.
In the event of a brake fluid leak, the vehicle’s brake pedal could become less responsive before the warning light appears. This degraded brake performance, combined with the delayed warning, could increase the likelihood of a crash. However, GM has confirmed that even in these circumstances, the vehicles still meet federal stopping distance requirements, meaning they should still be able to stop within the legally required distance.
Owners of affected vehicles will be notified by mail starting October 28, 2024. GM will provide a software update for the eBCM that will correct the issue. This update can be done remotely through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by visiting a dealership. If you own one of these vehicles, you do not need to take immediate action unless you notice any issues with your brakes. The recall is precautionary, and the software update will ensure that your vehicle meets all federal safety standards moving forward.
GM’s recall number for this issue is N242447990, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) campaign number is 24V-674.
