The U.S. government is currently investigating over 487 reports and complaints of brake issues, brake failure, and poor performance on over 2.7 million GM pickups and SUVs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a warning telling consumers the brake vacuum pump booster can deteriorate, causing increased braking effort and lengthier stopping distances. Such a brake failure could result in a loss of control of the vehicle, leading to a collision or vehicle rollover if it occurred at high speeds.
Documents filed with NHTSA include several injuries and crashes connected to vehicles across the General Motors family including 2014-2018 Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, Chevy Suburban, Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon Denali, GMC Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade.
The engine-driven brake assist vacuum pump is driven by an accessory belt on the engine and serves as the source of the power brake vacuum in the vehicle. Over time, the pump’s capacity to generate vacuum may deteriorate resulting in brake loss or brake failure.
Many consumers report their vehicles brake pedal becomes extremely difficult to press and a reaction similar to the Antilock brake system (ABS) kicking in. If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as intended, the braking power of the vehicle is significantly reduced and the result is increased stopping distances. Naturally, this puts the driver, passengers, and surrounding persons and vehicles at a much greater risk of collision and severe injury or death.
GM Brake Recall in Canada
In July 2019, Canadian auto regulators (Transport Canada) led the charge against General Motors brake pedal and vacuum pump failures and issued recalls for over 300,000 GM SUV’s and GM Trucks. The affected vehicles included Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Sierra Denali, Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon XL, GMC Yukon Denali, and GMC Yukon from 2014-2017. Owners of these vehicles reported significantly reduced braking performance and a hard brake pedal feel. The defect listed is the faulty brake pump which impairs said vehicles brake performance.
GM Chevy Brake Failure Notice Letter
In the USA, General Motors has sent notice letters to customers of these trucks and SUV’s regarding failing vacuum pumps causing a low speed hard brake pedal that is causing problems for consumers when braking at low speeds. What GM won’t admit to currently is that many people are reporting the same power brake loss issues at high speeds as well. Such accidents could cause more violent collisions or loss of control of the vehicle that leads to a rollover accident.
A recent class action lawsuit claims GM brakes are defective and can fail on drivers suddenly and unexpectedly, leading to potential accidents and injuries. A vacuum brake booster is an important part of the braking system. A bad vacuum brake booster in these GM suv’s and trucks causes the brake pedal to push back against the driver’s foot and prevent effective braking. The plaintiffs claim the company is continuing to suppress and conceal the knowledge that its braking systems are defective and dangerous. The GM Brakes Class Action Lawsuit is Peckerar, et al. v. General Motors LLC, Case No. 5:18-cv-02153, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
GMC Chevy Brake Failure Lawsuit – Talk to a Lawyer
If you or a member of your family has been involved in a GM SUV or GM Truck rollover or any other serious accident due to a defective GM or Chevy braking system, or if you have questions about whether the vehicle design, roof crush or roof failure, defective tires, airbags, or other safety systems failed and caused or contributed to the accident or injuries, then call and talk to us now. Free Case Review from a Texas Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer. Call Now 1-800-883-9858
