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GMC Brake Recalls Cover Reduced Assist, Software Errors and Leaks
⚠ 1 carries a park-outside (fire risk) advisory.
GMC hydraulic brake recalls repeatedly involve Sierra and Yukon vehicles, with reduced brake assist and electronic brake control module problems prominent across the notices. Vacuum-pump output concerns affect 2014-2018 Sierra and 2015-2018 Yukon vehicles in the September 2019 notice; a separate October 2020 notice covers certain 2018 Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles. Other notices address unintended braking, disabled stability control or antilock brakes, and electronic assist loss. Hardware defects include 2020 Sierra 1500 caliper bolts and a fire-related module sealing problem in 2021-2022 Sierra 2500 and 3500 trucks. Terrain rear-brake performance, Savana Cutaway brake-line clearance, and newer Sierra and Yukon warning-light software also appear.
Warning signs to watch for
- September 6, 2019 brake-assist recall: increased braking effort and a longer stopping distance.
- October 24, 2019 unintended-braking recall: braking on one wheel can pull the vehicle to one side unexpectedly.
- October 1, 2020 brake-assist recall: increased brake pedal effort and a longer stopping distance.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
One notice gives a park-outside instruction: the September 29, 2021 Silverado, Sierra Brake Module Fire Risk recall affecting certain 2021-2022 Sierra 2500 and 3500 trucks. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other structures until the recall repair is completed. None of the listed notices tells owners to stop driving. For the remaining recalls involving rear brakes, vacuum assist, unintended braking, stability control, electronic assist, caliper bolts, calibration, warning-light software, and brake lines, the notices do not tell owners to stop driving.
What the free repair involves
Repairs are free. Dealers replace the BPMV assembly for September 2021 and caliper bolts for February 2020. August 2018 repairs bleed the brakes; July 2021 repairs recalibrate the control module. September 2024 brake-line repairs inspect and replace as necessary. September 2024 warning-light software receives an OTA or dealer update. The other listed software and vacuum-assist recalls specify EBCM reprogramming.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 1 |
| high | 9 |
| medium | 1 |
Models affected most
Where owners report service brakes, hydraulic problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under service brakes, hydraulic for the GMC models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Service brakes, hydraulic complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 | 115 |
| 2018 GMC Terrain | 81 |
| 2019 GMC Terrain | 69 |
| 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 | 53 |
| 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 | 44 |
| 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 | 17 |
| 2023 GMC Yukon | 11 |
| 2023 GMC Yukon XL | 10 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2024 | Chevy Express and GMC Savana Cutaway Brake Line Risk | high |
| Sep 12, 2024 | GM SUVs, Trucks Brake Warning Light May Fail | high |
| Sep 29, 2021 | Silverado, Sierra Brake Module Fire Risk · park outside | critical |
| Jul 29, 2021 | Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon Brake Calibration Error | high |
| Oct 1, 2020 | GM Trucks And SUVs Lose Brake Power Assist | medium |
| Feb 27, 2020 | Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra Brake Caliper Bolts | high |
| Jan 30, 2020 | Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra may lose brake assist | high |
| Dec 12, 2019 | Chevy, Cadillac, GMC vehicles may lose stability control | high |
| Oct 24, 2019 | Chevrolet, GMC trucks and SUVs may brake and pull unexpectedly | high |
| Sep 6, 2019 | GM Trucks and SUVs Brake Assist May Weaken | high |
| Aug 30, 2018 | Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, GMC Rear Brake Issue | high |
Common questions
Which GMC brake recall tells owners to park outside?
The September 29, 2021 brake module fire recall covers certain 2021-2022 Sierra 2500 and 3500 trucks. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other structures until repair. Dealers replace the brake pressure modulator valve assembly free of charge.
Can the recalled GMC brake software fail to show a warning light?
The September 12, 2024 notice says certain 2023 Sierra 1500 and 2023-2024 Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles may fail to display a warning light after brake fluid loss. Its free remedy is an electronic brake control module software update.
Do the vacuum-pump brake-assist notices call for pump replacement?
The September 2019 and October 2020 notices describe decreasing vacuum-pump output and reduced brake assist. Their stated remedy is dealer reprogramming of the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. Neither supplied remedy specifies replacing the vacuum pump.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.