GM recalling Cadillac ATS, XTS, Chevy Impala over faulty brake lamps

Thu, 06 Jun 2013

General Motors has issued a recall covering 1,627 sedans over faulty brake lamps. Both the 2013 Cadillac ATS and XTS are affected by this problem, as is the 2014 Chevrolet Impala.

According to an official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report, "the brake lamps may intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and the cruise control may disengage" on these vehicles. The report does not state that the brakes themselves are faulty, but rather that "if the brake lamps flash when the vehicle is not slowing, a following driver may not adjust vehicle speed when the vehicle is in fact braking."

This marks the first recall for the 2013 Cadillac ATS, as well as the recently introduced 2014 Chevy Impala. In late 2012, over 12,000 Cadillac XTS models were recalled due to a head restraint issue.

Dealers will notify affected ATS, XTS and Impala owners about this issue, and the vehicles' body control modules will be replaced, free of charge. The official recall is expected to begin later this week.

Scroll down for the official NHTSA report.

Report Receipt Date: MAY 24, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V220000
Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Potential Number of Units Affected: 1,627

All Products Associated with this Recall

CADILLAC ATS 2013

CADILLAC XTS 2013
CHEVROLET IMPALA 2014

Manufacturer: General Motors LLC

SUMMARY

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; and model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. On the affected vehicles, the brake lamps may intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and the cruise control may disengage. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

CONSEQUENCE

If the brake lamps flash when the vehicle is not slowing, a following driver may not adjust vehicle speed when the vehicle is in fact braking, and the brake lamps are illuminating as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

REMEDY

GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module. The recall is expected to begin June 7, 2013. Owner's may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339. GM's recall number is 13158.

NOTES

Owners may 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.

By Steven J. Ewing