Federal Investigation Intensifies Over GM EV Brake Failures

General Motors is under the microscope as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) escalates its investigation into significant brake issues affecting its electric vehicles, including models developed in partnership with Honda. This scrutiny comes after reports of hundreds of incidents, with over 20 crashes or fires and at least six injuries linked to the malfunction.

The NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), which first initiated the probe in April 2024, has now upgraded it to an ‘engineering analysis’—the most in-depth level of investigation prior to potential recalls. The initial complaints primarily originated from owners of the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq, who reported receiving alarming “Brake System Failure” alerts during vehicle startup or after stopping.

Internal investigations by GM suggested that the problem stemmed from fractures in the spindle of their eBoost brake-by-wire system, introduced in 2019. However, ongoing reports have indicated more severe issues, such as a sudden loss of brake assistance while driving, raising concerns about extended stopping distances and increased crash risks.

The eBoost system, designed to enhance brake feel across different driving modes, is featured in GM’s popular electric models, including the Blazer EV and Equinox EV, as well as in vehicles produced through their joint venture with Honda, like the Prologue and Acura ZDX. An alarming incident involved a 2025 Lyriq driver losing brakes while parking, resulting in a crash into a store front, while another reported having to steer into a curb to prevent a catastrophic collision.

Source: techcrunch.com