General Motors (GM) is expanding a recall order that was originally issued in September for 133,000 models of Cadillac XTS and Chevrolet Impala. The original order was due to an issue with brake pads that failed to release from the rotors even when the driver was not stepping on the brake pedal. GM and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation last summer after a minor accident with no injuries was reported.
According to GM, the electronic parking brake piston actuation arm would sometimes fail to release after drivers took their feet off the pedal, and would even begin the actuation process with no external input. Investigators determined that the problem was with the braking software, not the arm itself. Besides the risk of accidents caused by sudden braking, excessive contact between brake pads could also be a fire hazard.
This second recall is much more limited in its scope, applying to under 1,200 Impalas manufactured between November 15, 2012, and May 27, 2014. Chevy dealers will install new software and reprogram the electronic parking brake control module.
GM spokesman Adam Adler confirmed that the 1,200 vehicles in the new recall were already included in the first one, but their software was not reprogrammed correctly. He also said that no accidents have been reported as a result of the reprogramming error, and that the second investigation did not stem from any complaints or incidents. According to NHTSA, the issue is in violation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 135, for Light Vehicle Brake Systems.
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