Recall On Chevy Impalas Expanded, Further Issues With Brakes

The September, 2014, recall on the Chevy Impala has been expanded.

Carcomplaints.com is reporting that the expanded Chevy recall will affect almost 1,200 additional cars that could need possible physical repair and software download assistance.

The original recall affected over 133,ooo model year 2013-2015 Cadillac XTS and 2014-2015 Chevy Impalas. The problem seems to be associated with the brake pads failing to release from the rotors even without a driver touching the brake pedal. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) originally opened the investigation along with General Motors (GM) in August of 2014 after one customer reported numerous incidents. The customer stated the issue happened numerous times in different locations under different weather circumstances and road conditions.

The customer reported that, with no traffic in front of the vehicle, the car gave off three or four beeps, seemingly coming from the forward collision avoidance system, then stopped abruptly. A following vehicle rear-ended the Chevy Impala, but no one was injured.

It was GM, incidentally, that found the potential problem; the electronic parking brake piston actuation arm would not release when a driver release the brake pedal. Sometimes, the actuation arm would begin the braking process without input from the driver. Excessive contact between the brake pads could lead to a fire hazard.

The investigation further determined that it was the parking brake software, not the arm itself, was at issue. GM will begin the process of reporting this to owners of the vehicles so they can go to Chevy dealerships to have the software updated.

Edmunds.com is reporting that the Chevy Impalas that were part of this recall were placed on stop delivery on February 2 of this year. GM spokesperson Adam Adler verified the investigation results.

“The vehicles in this recall were part of a 2014 recall but received incorrect software reprogramming,” Adler explained. He also stated that there were no known crashes, injuries or customer complaints before the investigation.

The affected Impalas were built from November 15, 2012, to May 27, 2014.

E News is reporting that the technical NHTSA reason for the recall is “these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Systems (FMVSS) No. 135 “Light Vehicle Brake Systems.” This recall is for vehicles that were worked on but not fixed under original recall no. 14V-541.

Chevy dealers will reprogram the electronic parking brake control module, free of charge. The recall will begin on March 5. Owners can contact Chevy Customer Care at 1-800-222-1020, so schedule your service appointment once you receive your official recall notice. Affected customers can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov

[Image courtesy of Chevrolet.com]