The U.S. government's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has expanded its investigation into reports of faulty brake vacuum pumps in approximately 2.7 million General Motors large pickups and SUVs. This expanded probe follows an initial investigation and 111 consumer complaints, which include nine crashes and two reported injuries. The primary concern is that a deteriorating brake vacuum pump can lead to increased braking effort and longer stopping distances, posing a significant safety risk.
The investigation specifically targets 2014 through 2016 models of the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups, as well as Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade SUVs. NHTSA's objective is to determine the frequency of this problem and assess whether a mandatory recall is necessary to address the safety defect. This follows a previous recall in 2019 covering nearly 3.5 million SUVs and pickup trucks for a similar brake problem where the power brake-assist system could become difficult to use, linked to 113 crashes and 13 injuries at the time.
GM has acknowledged the ongoing investigation and stated it is monitoring complaints and warranty claims related to the brakes. The automaker is cooperating with NHTSA to evaluate the extent and nature of the issue. Owners experiencing problems with brake performance are advised to have their vehicles inspected. This issue highlights ongoing concerns with braking systems in GM vehicles, including a recent recall of over 449,000 SUVs and pickups for a brake fluid warning light malfunction and over 21,000 electric SUVs for unexpected anti-lock brake activation.
