Brake Problems in GM EVs Draw Heightened Federal Scrutiny

General Motors electric vehicles, including models developed in partnership with Honda, are facing intensified scrutiny from the U.S. auto safety regulator following hundreds of reported incidents, more than 20 crashes or fires, and at least six injuries. The brake-related issues also affect some non-EV models, such as the Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, and the Buick Enclave and Envision, potentially impacting more than one million vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initially launched an investigation in April 2024 after receiving complaints from owners of the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq. On Monday, the agency's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) announced it was upgrading the probe to an 'engineering analysis'—the highest level of investigation it conducts, often a precursor to mandating a recall. The initial complaints, received two years ago, typically described a 'Brake System Failure' message appearing when starting the vehicle or after coming to a complete stop. GM conducted several internal investigations and attributed the issue to fractures in the spindle of its 'eBoost' brake-by-wire system. However, ODI noted on Monday that it continued to receive reports of brake assistance loss that were 'inconsistent with GM's description of a spindle failure.' These newer reports described an 'immediate loss of brake assist' during active braking, which the regulator stated 'could result in extended braking distance, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.' ODI will now further analyze potential failures in the eBoost system. The eBoost system, introduced in 2019, replaces the traditional mechanical connection between the brake pedal and the braking mechanism with an electronic one, allowing GM to adjust brake feel across different driving modes. It is installed in GM's popular EVs, including the Blazer EV, Equinox EV, Cadillac Lyriq, and the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX, produced through a joint venture with Honda. The Cruise Origin—an autonomous EV without a steering wheel or pedals, which GM discontinued in 2024—also used eBoost. Real-world incidents reported to NHTSA illustrate the severity. In one case, a 2025 Lyriq driver lost braking while pulling into a parking space, causing the vehicle to jump the curb and crash through a storefront, coming to rest 'mid-way in the store.' Another 2024 Blazer EV driver reported having to deliberately steer into a concrete curb to avoid a 'catastrophic intersection collision.' As of 2026, no recall has been issued, but the engineering analysis indicates NHTSA is moving closer to potential enforcement action.

via TechCrunch