2023 Chevrolet Colorado
Chevrolet
General Motors is facing the most serious level of federal vehicle safety investigation after regulators logged 745 reports of drivers losing brake assist from the company's eBoost brake system, resulting in 22 crashes or fires and six injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Office of Defects Investigation has elevated the probe to an Engineering Analysis, often the step before a recall. No fatalities have been reported.
If you drive a 2023 to 2026 Cadillac Lyriq, Celestiq, or Optiq, Chevrolet Colorado or Blazer EV, Equinox EV, or Traverse, GMC Canyon or Acadia, Buick Enclave or Envision, Acura ZDX, or Honda Prologue, your vehicle uses the eBoost system now under investigation. NHTSA estimates this affects 1,164,820 vehicles.
The eBoost system is an electronic brake booster that replaces the older vacuum-assisted setup in many GM vehicles, including its EVs. NHTSA's original 2024 investigation began after Cadillac Lyriq owners reported a hard brake pedal followed by a "Brake System Failure" warning. GM has told investigators the problem stems from fractures in a part called the eBoost spindle. When that spindle fails, anti-lock brakes and stability control keep working until the car comes to a complete stop, at which point those systems shut down along with brake assist.
NHTSA says it has continued to receive reports since 2024 that don't match GM's explanation: some drivers describe losing brake assist immediately, mid-stop, rather than only after the car has already stopped. That discrepancy is why the agency expanded the investigation to include every GM model that shares the eBoost system, including the Acura and Honda models GM builds under a joint venture.
If your car is affected, GM's system is designed to warn you before a full failure, which include an audible chime, a "Service Brake System" message on the dash, and warning lights for ABS, traction control, and the brakes. The system also caps your speed at 43 mph once it detects the fault. Don't ignore these warnings and take your car to a dealer as soon as possible.
Read more: U.S. government bans GM from sharing user driving data with insurers
