GM Recalls 67,380 EVs Over Brake-Software Defect
General Motors is recalling 67,380 electric vehicles because brake-system control software can cause a loss of braking during certain driving conditions. The campaign covers multiple model years of the Cadillac Lyriq, Celestiq and Vistiq, plus the Chevrolet Blazer EV.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identifies the action as campaign 26V717000 and GM campaign N262570900. GM filed the defect report on October 29, 2026, and VINs included in the campaign became searchable that day. Owner letters are expected to be mailed December 14, but owners can check their VIN now rather than waiting for a letter.
Which GM electric vehicles are included?
The recall covers certain 2023–2027 Cadillac Lyriq vehicles, 2025–2026 Cadillac Celestiq vehicles, 2026–2027 Cadillac Vistiq vehicles and 2024–2027 Chevrolet Blazer EVs. A model and model year appearing on that list does not mean every example is affected; recall eligibility is determined by VIN.
That distinction is especially important because the listed production spans several years and four nameplates. Owners should use NHTSA’s campaign page for recall 26V717000 or GM’s owner tools with the vehicle’s 17-character VIN. A Cadillac or Chevrolet dealer can also verify whether the campaign is open.
What can the brake software do?
NHTSA’s public summary says the brake system control module contains a software defect that can cause a loss of braking during certain driving conditions. The agency says a loss of braking ability increases the risk of a crash.
Cars.com’s November 4 report, drawing on the recall filing, describes the problem as a low-speed braking issue. The public NHTSA summary does not say that every braking event is affected, and a recall population should not be treated as a count of vehicles that have experienced the defect.
The official campaign is a safety recall, not a routine software-feature update. Even if a vehicle appears to operate normally, an owner whose VIN is included should complete the remedy because the risk concerns how the control module can respond under a particular set of conditions.
The remedy is a free software update
GM will update the brake system control module software at no charge. The remedy can be delivered over the air or installed by a dealer, according to the NHTSA listing. The availability of an over-the-air path does not guarantee that every vehicle will receive or complete the update automatically; owners should follow the instructions tied to their VIN.
NHTSA’s listing does not designate this as a “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside” campaign. That is different from saying the defect can be ignored. Owners should check their vehicle, watch for messages from GM or a dealer and arrange the free update if the campaign is open. Anyone who experiences a braking problem should stop in a safe location and contact the manufacturer or a dealer for guidance.
Why a software recall can still be a major safety action
Modern EV braking blends hydraulic hardware, electronic controls, stability functions and regenerative braking. A software defect in a control module can therefore change how the system responds even when the physical brake components are intact. The repair being software-based does not make the underlying hazard less significant.
OTA delivery can shorten the path to a repair for connected vehicles, but it also places more responsibility on owners to confirm that an update has downloaded and installed. A completed download, an update notification and a closed recall record are not always the same thing. The most reliable confirmation is the vehicle’s VIN status after the remedy is applied.
This campaign follows broader industry scrutiny of software-dependent safety systems. Chiefs Review recently covered Audi’s Q4 e-tron battery recall while its final remedy remained pending and NHTSA’s review of GMC Sierra grille repairs. Those cases involve different defects, but all illustrate why owners should check official campaign numbers rather than relying only on a general model description.
What owners should do now
Owners of a listed Lyriq, Celestiq, Vistiq or Blazer EV should enter the VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls and confirm whether campaign 26V717000 is open. If it is, contact an authorized Cadillac or Chevrolet dealer or follow GM’s OTA instructions. Recall repairs are free.
Cadillac owners can call 800-333-4223, while Chevrolet owners can call 800-222-1020. Referencing GM campaign N262570900 can help customer-service representatives identify the action. Owners who believe they experienced the defect can also file a safety complaint with NHTSA; a complaint is separate from checking recall eligibility.
Chiefs Review has not inspected or tested any vehicle involved in this campaign. The affected population, hazard description and remedy are based on the NHTSA recall record and GM’s filing.
Sources and image credit
Primary source: NHTSA campaign 26V717000. Additional reporting: Cars.com, November 4, 2026.
Featured image: illustrative 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV photographed at the Montreal International Auto Show. Photo by Bull-Doser via Wikimedia Commons, released into the public domain by the photographer. No changes were made.
