In 2014 General Motors recalled 221,558 Cadillac XTS and Chevrolet Impala vehicles. The recall is over a defect in the parking brake – the parking brake indicator may not illuminate causing owners to drive with their parking brake engaged. Brakes may smoke, heat up, spark, or at worse start a fire.
In addition, Cadillac and Impala owners have experienced other problems with brakes not disengaging fully. Owners may be entitled to compensation for vehicle problems. Our office is evaluating a class action for brake defects.
The recall involves Cadillacs from the 2013-2015 model years and Impalas from the 2014 and 2015 model years. The majority of the cars, 205,309 vehicles, are in the US with the rest in Canada and elsewhere.
I. NHTSA COMPLAINTS
Here are some reported complaints to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) describing the results of the brake problems on their GM vehicles.
(A) GRINDING NOISE FROM FRONT AND ABS ENGAGES THE BRAKES AND LOW TRACTION LIGHT FLASHES ON WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND TURNING LEFT AT THE SAME TIME, DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU ACCELERATE SLOW OR FAST AND THIS IS HAPPENING ON DRY PAVEMENT. IF I TURN OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL IT WILL NOT DO IT, SO I ASSUME THE PROBLEM MUST EXIST IN A SPEED SENSOR OR SOMETHING WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSORS OR WIRING. OF COURSE MECHANICS CANNOT DUPLICATE THIS. WAITING FOR GM TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FIX.
(B) FIRST MY SERVICE ABS TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON AND WHILE MAKING LEFT TURNS A LOUD METAL GRINDING NOISE HAPPENED AND MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT FLASHED. IT FEELS LIKE THE ABS IS BRAKING ON ITS OWN FOR NO REASON WHILE I DRIVE MY 2013 IMPALA LTZ. MY MECHANICS CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS NEITHER CAN ANY IMPALA OWNER OR MECHANIC. BUT I’M 99% SURE WHEN I DRIVE IT TONIGHT TO VISIT FRIENDS I WILL HEAR A METAL ON METAL GRINDING NOISE I JUST HOPE NOT WHILE IM ON THE FREEWAY WHERE I CAN GET KILLED. IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING COMING FROM A STOP OR AS SIMPLE AS ME BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY.
(C) 2013 CHEVY IMPALA WITH APPROXIMATELY 38860 MILES. 3.31.2015 DEVELOPED A GRINDING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING SHARP LEFT, CAUSES THE CAR TO HESITATE, , MY CAR IS NOT SAFE.WHO HAS TO DIE TO HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT AND RECALLED? AGAIN, 2013 IMPALA – GRINDING NOISE WHEN MAKING SHARP LEFT AND HESITATES CAUSING DANGEROUS SITUATION. PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO [XXX] IF YOU ARE ABLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
II. NHTSA LETTER
According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) letter, seen by Reuters, the vehicles had issues with brakes that did not fully retract after use. “If the vehicle is operated for an extended period of time in this condition, there is a potential for the rear brakes to generate significant heat, smoke and sparks,” the letter said. “Brake pads that remain partially engaged with the rotors may cause excessive brake heat that may result in a fire.”
III. CONSUMER RECOURSE
Call the Law Office of Howard Gutman for a free consultation on your Cadillac or Impala brake problems, 973-598-1980.
I have the same problem with 2013 cadillac xts . Stability track light comes off, looses traction. I was told by dealer I had rear speed sensor, changed sensor still have the problem. Help