Government NHTSA begins to look into GM Brake Failures

A few months ago, I wrote about the class action Harris v. GM (filed by a different firm), which revolves around brake booster and brake vacuum pump failure in several newer, SUV GM vehicles. Now, finally, after enough complaints were made, NHTSA has now opened an investigation into GM and those vehicles. This investigation includes more than 2.7 million vehicles after the government received 111 complaints about hard brake pedals in Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC models.

The models covered are:

  • 2014 -2016 Cadillac Escalade. See also Cadillac lemon law.

  • 2014-2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV

  • 2014 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

  • 2014-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

  • 2014-2016 Chevrolet Suburban

  • 2014-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe

  • 2014-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit

  • 2014-2015 GMC Denali

  • 2014-2016 GMC Sierra 1500

  • 2014-2016 GMC Sierra Denali

  • 2014-2016 GMC Yukon

  • 2015-2016 GMC Yukon Denali

  • 2014-2016 GMC Yukon Denali XL

  • 2014-2016  GMC Yukon XL

From NHTSA’s webpage:

Brake Vacuum Pump Failure

NHTSA Action Number: PE18012

Components SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES

Opened From: November 20, 2018–Present

Summary

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 111 reports of hard brake pedal effort accompanied by extended stopping distance in model years (MY) 2014 to 2016 General Motors (GM) light trucks based on the K2XX platform, 1500 series Pickup Trucks and Sport Utility Vehicles (Silverado, Sierra, Suburban, Yukon, Tahoe, Escalade). These conditions are attributed to deterioration of the engine-driven brake assist vacuum pump. Nine of these incidents included vehicles incurring damage as a result colliding with another vehicle or fixed object at low speeds.

The brake assist vacuum pump is driven by an accessory belt on the engine and serves as the source of power brake vacuum in the subject vehicles. Over time, the pump's capacity to generate vacuum may deteriorate. The subject vehicles receive supplemental hydraulic brake assist from the ABS system, albeit at lower levels than the vacuum-powered primary system. If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the amount of brake power assist supplied to the driver can be significantly reduced, extending the subject vehicle stopping distance.

A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency, circumstances, and safety consequences of the alleged defect.

The website can be found here.

If you're in California and you’ve taken your 2014-2017 GM vehicle to a dealership for issues above, from brake failure, brake booster failure or any warranty condition, we can help you…. AT NO COST TO YOU! Valero Law, APC is a California consumer protection firm dedicated to protecting the lemon law rights of California consumers and ALL cases are taken on a contingency basis, meaning if there is no recovery, there is absolutely no fee to you!