GM Announces Brake Override System for All Vehicles as Massive Brake Recall Looms
General Motors has announced it will expand the use of a brake override system to all eligible cars, just as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reportedly opened an investigation into brake issues on GM products that could see a recall of up to 6.2 million vehicles.
The “enhanced smart pedal” technology will be installed on all GM vehicles with an automatic transmission and electronic throttle control by 2012 says GM. The software will allow the brakes to override the throttle if both pedals are pressed simultaneously.
As for the possible recall, NHTSA said it is looking into a situation of brake line corrosion on 6 million GM pickups and SUVs made from 1999-2003 and 189,000 2500 heavy-duty pickups made in 2003. The NHTSA says it has received 110 complaints and allegations of three crashes relating to the loss of braking power due to corroded brake lines.
Toyota recently announced the expansion of a brake override system to all of its vehicles after it recalled million of vehicles due to sticking brake pedals.
[Source: The Detroit News]
Official release after the jump:
PRESS RELEASE
GM to Expand Brake Override Software Globally by 2012
DETROIT – General Motors will expand use of “enhanced smart pedal” technology globally to all passenger cars with automatic transmissions and electronic throttle control, providing an additional safeguard to enhance customer confidence.
Also known as brake override, the change involves modifying existing electronic controls to reduce power to the engine in cases where the brake and accelerator pedal are being depressed at the same time. The global rollout will be completed by the end of 2012.
GM has had for the past several years a braking performance standard that applies to all cars, trucks and crossovers, requiring that the brakes can stop the vehicle within a specific distance. So brake override is an additional safeguard.
“News media analyses of government data consistently validates that GM’s safety record on this issue is among the strongest in the industry,” said Tom Stephens, vice chairman, GM Global Product Operations. “At the same time, we know safety is top of mind for consumers, so we are applying additional technology to reassure them that they can count on the brakes in their GM vehicle.”
The rollout plan balances the speed of implementation with validation needed to assure that customers feel no deterioration in drivability.
With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.
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I have had to pay to have my brakes done 6 times in the last 3 years! This is not normal I have been looking everywhere for help. Please keep me informed with this recall. I'm paying for a 2005 Chevy Malibu
I own a 2002 Silverado and brake line rust is a real issue my truck has been repaired 4 times and the last repair I made it home just to have another line brake in another place burst, well at least its parked at home and I will not drive it until G.M. does something to address this issue they better before someone dies I've been to several web sites and this is a problem for thousands of truck owners and I would guess its going to be national news real soon,if you have one of these Silverado's do your part and file a complaint your voice is being heard.