Warren, MI – July 17, 2022 – General Motors (NYSE:GM), which owns the Buick brand, has issued a recall for 23,734 Regal sedans because of a potential loss of brake assist.
The recall covers the 2018–2020 Buick Regal mid-size cars.
Recall summary
The brake assist function helps in stopping the car faster during emergency braking. This is achieved through a pump that boosts the brakes’ stopping power by removing all the air inside the booster, creating a vacuum. The pump is regulated by the electronic brake control module, or EBCM.
In the affected vehicles, a software error may lead to the EBCM failing to engage the brake booster function.
If there is no assist, the vehicle may take a longer distance to stop, depending on the force exerted by the driver on the brake pedal.
The component involved in this recall is the electronic brake control module software, with multiple part numbers including 39135331, 39187211, 39187212 and 39215669.
Recall risks
Warning signs
When the vacuum-brake assist has failed to engage, a message will appear on the dashboard. This will be accompanied by a malfunction warning light, and drivers may observe that the brake pedal becomes harder to press.
Other Buick recalls
As part of recent Buick Regal recalls, the 2010-2013 model years were among those included in a recall issued in January over suspension issues. The rear suspension toe links used in the affected vehicles could break due to the supplier’s excessive use of protective coating, which could fail to shield the part against corrosion. This could lead to the toe links wearing down and breaking, causing the rear wheels to wobble.
The repair
Dealers will reflash the EBCM software used in the affected vehicles. There will be no charge for this service. General Motors will reimburse owners who paid to have the problem fixed prior to the recall order.
Affected owners will be notified by August 15, 2022.
Is your vehicle part of this recall?
More than 23,000 vehicles are included in this Buick Regal brake recall. To see if your vehicle is affected, run a Buick recall check using MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.
