2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV

On April 11, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE24011 after receiving complaints concerning a loss of brake assist in 2023 MY Cadillac Lyriq vehicles. These complaints allege a hard brake pedal, followed by a “Brake System Failure” message at start up or while driving. GM shared records regarding several internal investigations for loss of brake assist due to alleged spindle fractures in the eBoost system. GM has stated that in the event of a spindle fracture, anti-lock brakes (ABS), stability control, and traction control remain functional until the vehicle comes to a complete stop. At this point, ABS, brake assist, stability control, and traction control functions are lost. The loss of these functions causes the vehicle to set one of three Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) based on failed performance criteria for the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM). These DTCs, in turn, activate several driver alerts: an audible chime, a visual “Service Brake System” message in the display, and multiple illuminated Malfunction Indicator Lights (MILs) for the ABS, Traction Control, and Brakes informing the driver of loss of functionality. The vehicle speed will also be limited to 70 KPH (43 MPH). Since opening PE24011, ODI has continued to receive reports of loss of brake assist. Some of these reports describe symptoms inconsistent with GM’s description of a spindle failure. These reports allege an immediate loss of brake assist functionality as opposed to the loss occurring after the vehicle comes to a complete stop. The sudden loss of brake assist during a braking event could result in extended braking distance, which increases the risk of a crash or injury. ODI believes further analysis is necessary to assess the potential for failures in GM’s eBoost system to resulting in safety-related outcomes. At this time, ODI is aware of the following vehicles that are equipped with this eBoost system: 2023-2026 MY Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Colorado, and GMC Canyon; 2024-2026 MY Buick Enclave, Envision; Chevrolet Blazer EV, Equinox EV, Traverse; Cruise Origin; and GMC Acadia; 2025-2026 MY Cadillac Celestiq and Optiq. ODI is also aware of 2024-2026 MY Acura ZDX and 2024-2026 MY Honda Prologue vehicles that were built with this system. The Acura and Honda vehicles were manufactured by GM in a joint venture with Honda, and will be included in the Engineering Analysis as peer vehicles. ODI is opening this Engineering Analysis to further assess the safety-related consequences of a failed eBoost system. In addition, ODI is expanding the scope of the investigation to encompass all GM vehicles that share this eBoost system. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Multiple phantom braking events have occurred since we purchased this vehicle, but traveling forward and reverse. We have been forced to turn this automatic emergency braking off and set to alert only.

NHTSA ID

11773245

Incident

Aug 30, 2026

INCIDENT DESCRIPTION: On October 20, 2026, at approximately 11:15 AM, I was driving my Chevrolet Equinox EV and was stopped at a red traffic signal. When the light turned green, I began accelerating normally into the intersection. Suddenly and without warning, the vehicle experienced a severe "phantom braking" / false Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) event. The vehicle’s emergency braking system engaged violently, bringing the car to an abrupt, full stop in the middle of the intersection. There were NO vehicles, pedestrians, or obstacles in front of my car or anywhere in my path. A vehicle traveling directly behind me was forced to slam on their brakes and narrowly avoided a rear-end collision. This unexpected hard deceleration caused severe panic and created an immediate, life-threatening traffic hazard. Had this sudden stopping occurred at highway speeds or above 25 MPH rather than starting from a green light, it would have resulted in a severe crash. CRUCIAL CONTEXT / RECENT SERVICE HISTORY: This life-threatening failure occurred directly after taking my vehicle to Coggin Chevrolet at the Avenues (Jacksonville, FL), where technicians performed software servicing under Open Recall N262545360 ("Early ABS engagement on slippery road surfaces"). The dealership verified completion of this recall update. This phantom braking event occurred immediately after this recall software was flashed to the vehicle's brake control module. I suspect this software recalibration introduced a critical bug or miscalibration affecting the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM), regenerative braking system, or Forward Collision Avoidance system on dry pavement. I am requesting an immediate investigation by GM Engineering and NHTSA regarding the safety of Recall N262545360 software calibration.

NHTSA ID

11772597

Incident

Oct 20, 2026

Vehicle: 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV, Front-Wheel Drive Incident date: [XXX] Approximate time: [XXX] CDT Location: Residential garage, Houston, Texas Safety Complaint — Unexpected Severe Automatic Braking On [XXX], at approximately [XXX] p.m., I was slowly driving my 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV forward into my residential garage. My foot was on the accelerator pedal, and I was moving at very low speed. I was still well away from the back wall of the garage, with no apparent obstacle requiring emergency braking. Without warning, the vehicle suddenly braked extremely hard and came to an abrupt, complete stop. I did not apply the brakes and did not notice any audible collision warning or visual alert before the event. The deceleration was sufficiently violent that, despite wearing my seat belt, my head lurched forward and struck the vehicle's headliner. I subsequently experienced neck soreness, which has since subsided. I did not experience a headache, and my head currently feels normal. I intend to consult my primary care physician's office about the incident. I have no explanation for why the vehicle initiated such severe braking under these circumstances. The vehicle has automatic emergency braking and other driver-assistance systems, but I cannot determine which system caused the stop. Google Maps Timeline independently documents my arrival home at approximately [XXX] p.m., providing a useful timestamp for diagnostic investigation. The vehicle previously received an over-the-air software update while I was in Lakewood, Colorado. I do not know whether that update has any relationship to this incident. I am concerned that an unexplained, extremely forceful braking event at low speed could result in serious injuries, particularly if it occurs in traffic or at higher speeds. I request that NHTSA investigate whether the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV has a defect involving unintended automatic braking or other electronic braking-control. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.

NHTSA ID

11771323

Incident

Oct 14, 2026

On September 2, 2026, at approximately 3:19 PM, my 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV unexpectedly applied hard automatic braking while I was proceeding through a green intersection. A white SUV ahead of me was moving to the left and clearing my travel path. There was no vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle, or other obstacle directly blocking my lane that required emergency braking. At the exact moment the vehicle applied the brakes, a Forward Collision Warning appeared on the driver display. Based on the warning and the braking response, I believe the Forward Collision Alert/Automatic Emergency Braking system falsely detected an imminent collision and activated unnecessarily. The unexpected braking created a risk that a vehicle behind me could rear-end my vehicle. My two children were passengers and were frightened by the sudden braking. No collision or injury occurred. There were no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms before this incident. The Forward Collision Warning appeared only when the unexpected braking occurred. The problem has not yet been reproduced or confirmed by a Chevrolet dealer. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the dealer, manufacturer, police, or insurance company. I reported the incident to Chevrolet and opened case number 109390168. The vehicle and original dashcam footage are available for inspection upon request. The video shows the traffic conditions immediately before, during, and after the braking event. As a temporary safety precaution pending inspection, I changed the automatic-braking settings to Alert Only while retaining collision warnings.

NHTSA ID

11761778

Incident

Sep 2, 2026

I was going about 65 and the car suddenly brakes for no reason and dropped to about 50. Thought I was going to be rear ended

NHTSA ID

11760809

Incident

Aug 20, 2026

I have had multiple times where my car kicks in the automatic emergency brake because it things I’m about to hit something. All those instances that it has happened, I was not about to hit something and the car short stops and stops in the middle of the street which is so dangerous because then I quickly have to start my car so that someone doesn’t crash into me since I’m stopped in middle of the road

NHTSA ID

11748656

Incident

Jul 6, 2026

Phantom automatic emergency rear breaking

NHTSA ID

11748485

Incident

Jul 5, 2026

Vehicle slammed on brakes on highway with no obstruction in front. Emergency system reacts to shadows

NHTSA ID

11735419

Incident

May 2, 2026

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3

This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the direction needed when encounter a noise complaint for the rear disc brakes.

This PI is to instruct dealer on diagnostic procedures that need to be completed prior to replacing a radio or IPC display

This Preliminary Information is to inform technicians to not replace any parts at this time and to use the work around provided. When a fix is available, this PI will be updated to a bulletin.

Customer Satisfaction Program. Certain vehicles listed above may have a condition in which remanufactured high voltage battery packs were built using modules that were ineligible for reuse and require a second replacement. Dealers will replace the high voltage battery.

This Preliminary information communicates an issue with the virtual garage door opener not programming to a garage opener and to replace the opener with a new updated part.