Cadillac Lyriq EV Under Investigation Over Brake Failure

NHTSA is looking into electric SUV after owners report hard brake pedal and “Brake System Failure” messages

Many Cadillac Lyriq buyers had to endure production delays that slowed down deliveries of their electric SUV, but now that production is in full swing, there’s no stopping the Lyriq. NHTSA has announced that it is investigating the SUV after receiving reports of brake failure.

Some 2023MY Lyriqs owners say they have experienced an abnormally hard brake pedal while driving, followed by a “Brake System Failure” message on the EV’s digital display that may also appear during the start-up process. A total of 3,322 vehicles are likely to be affected by the problem.

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A preliminary report by NHTSA’s Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) says the owners’ experience has been confirmed by GM, which explained that the internal spindle in the eBoost electronic brake module can break when ABS is activated. A broken spindle can cause an EV to lose brake assist and anti-lock functionality.

GM also says that only 2023 models, and not the latest version of the Lyriq, are affected because the spindle was redesigned in May 2023. Currently, its solution is to deploy an over-the-air update that will surround the brake booster during the. start when the vehicle is stationary to simulate an ABS event and test the safety of the braking system. If the spindle breaks during the test, a check light will appear on the dash along with a message instructing the driver to bring the vehicle to the dealer for repair under warranty.

So this is not a complete recall situation yet, but that could change if the ODI decides the GM should take things more seriously. For now, the ODI says its Preliminary Assessment will “determine the scope and severity of the potential problem and…thoroughly evaluate security-related issues.”

Those production delays that angered GM and its customers when the Lyriq was launched could actually be a boon if NHTSA insists on a full recall because the number of affected vehicles is low. Although losing braking power can be fatal in extreme situations, no one appears to have been hurt or killed so far.

Cadillac sold just 968 Lyriqs across the U.S. in Q1 2023, but sales are up 499 percent, with 5,800 Lyriqs finding new homes in the first three months of this year. That performance means the Lyriq now ranks as Cadillac’s third best-selling model, beaten only by the Escalade and XT5.