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GM Recalling 230,000 Vehicles Over Possible Brake Problems

General Motors is recalling 230,000 vehicles because gas can get trapped in the rear brake lines and affect stopping times and distances. If this sounds familiar, it is because Fiat Chrysler just had to take similar action.
2018 Chevrolet Equinox

General Motors is recalling 9 different types of 2018-2019 vehicles because a supplier produced a problematic brake component. The recall of 230,000 vehicles is wide reaching, affecting Buicks, Chevys, Cadillacs and even a GMC model.

According to GM, gas from a faulty brake piston could force gas into the brake lines, causing the brake pedal to feel spongy. The gas in the lines could affect the time it takes the vehicle to stop and the distance the vehicle could travel before stopping. The soft or spongy brakes could lead to a crash. At this point, GM says it is not aware of any crashes or injuries because of this problem.

If this sounds familiar, it is because two weeks ago, I wrote a similar article about Fiat Chrysler having to recall Jeep and Dodge SUVs for the same issue. The supplier, ZF, didn’t notify GM about the potential problem until just recently.

According to the information provided to the Nation Traffic Highway Safety Administration, “The manufacturer of the brake pistons failed to properly chrome and temper the brake pistons during the manufacturing process. In this condition, hydrogen gas can remain trapped in the piston body. When the vehicle is assembled and a piston that contains trapped gas contacts brake fluid, this gas can be released into the vehicle’s brake system.”

The recall affects 210,628 vehicles in the U.S. and another
19,385 vehicles in Canada. All of the vehicles are 2018-2019 models and all are still under warranty.

Fixing the Problem

Service technicians will bleed the brake hydraulic system and replace the rear brake fluid. Some of the affected vehicles may have to have their rear brake calipers replaced.

GM used information from the supplier to identify which vehicles may be affected.

Vehicles Affected by the Recall

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

All owners of the affected vehicles will be notified. If you have any questions about the recall, you can contact your dealer. More information is available at the NHTSA site. You can enter your vehicle identification number and find out immediately if your vehicle is included in the recall.

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