Migliaccio & Rathod LLP is investigating reports that certain General Motors vehicles equipped with the eBoost electronic braking system may suddenly lose brake assist, resulting in an unusually hard brake pedal and potentially increased stopping distances.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has expanded its investigation into the issue to cover approximately 1.16 million vehicles equipped with General Motors’ eBoost braking system.
Federal regulators are investigating hundreds of reported incidents involving the system, including reports of crashes and injuries.
Consumers Report:
Drivers have reported experiencing:
- a suddenly hard or difficult-to-press brake pedal;
- a “Brake System Failure” warning appearing on the dashboard;
- loss of power brake assistance while driving;
- substantially greater force being required to depress the brake pedal;
- difficulty stopping the vehicle normally;
- potentially increased stopping distances; and
- brake problems occurring unexpectedly, including while the vehicle is already moving.
NHTSA’s investigation has identified 745 reported incidents, including 22 crashes or fires and five injury incidents involving six reported injuries. No fatalities have been reported.
What May Be Causing the Brake Problem?
The investigation concerns General Motors’ eBoost electronic brake control module, which provides electronic brake assistance.
When NHTSA originally opened its investigation into the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq, General Motors told regulators that an internal spindle within the eBoost module can fracture during an anti-lock braking system event. According to NHTSA, General Motors had verified field reports involving the problem and introduced a new spindle material into vehicle assembly in May 2023.
General Motors has maintained that when this type of spindle failure occurs, certain braking and stability functions remain available until the vehicle stops.
However, federal investigators say they have subsequently received reports that appear inconsistent with that explanation. Some drivers have described an immediate loss of brake assist while the vehicle is still moving, which NHTSA says could increase stopping distances.
NHTSA has now upgraded the investigation to an Engineering Analysis to further evaluate the cause and safety consequences of eBoost failures.
Vehicles That May Be Affected
NHTSA has identified the following vehicles as equipped with the eBoost system under investigation:
- 2023–2026 Cadillac Lyriq
- 2023–2026 Chevrolet Colorado
- 2023–2026 GMC Canyon
- 2024–2026 Buick Enclave
- 2024–2026 Buick Envision
- 2024–2026 Chevrolet Blazer EV
- 2024–2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV
- 2024–2026 Chevrolet Traverse
- 2024–2026 GMC Acadia
- 2025–2026 Cadillac Celestiq
- 2025–2026 Cadillac Optiq
NHTSA has also identified the 2024–2026 Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX, which were built with the eBoost system, as peer vehicles relevant to the investigation.
Potential Claims May Include:
- defective brake-system design;
- defective electronic brake components;
- failure to adequately disclose a safety-related defect;
- breach of express warranty;
- breach of implied warranty;
- unfair or deceptive trade practices; and
- damages associated with repairs, diminished vehicle value, or loss of use.
Signs You May Be Affected:
- You own or lease one of the affected 2023–2026 General Motors, Honda, or Acura vehicles listed above;
- your brake pedal suddenly became unusually hard or difficult to press;
- your vehicle displayed a “Brake System Failure” warning;
- you experienced a sudden loss or reduction in brake assistance;
- you needed substantially more pedal pressure than normal to stop your vehicle;
- your vehicle took longer or farther than expected to stop; or
- a dealership replaced or diagnosed your eBoost module, electronic brake control module, or related braking components.
If you own or lease one of these vehicles and have experienced brake-assist failure, a hard brake pedal, a “Brake System Failure” warning, or other eBoost-related braking problems, we would like to hear from you.
Please complete the contact form on this page, send us an email at [email protected], or give us a call.