Vehicle displayed reduced engine power, check engine light, and service brake assist all at the same time. Brake pedal wouldn't move leaving me without brakes. Coasted to stop and shut off car. Brake did not release and now engine won't start. Informed brake vacuum booster pump is problem and ruined motor now.

- Elberta, AL, USA

While going 80mph on the highway at 2:00am on or around 10/6/2023, my power braking system went out without warning. I was able to get it off the road and to a shop where they told me it was the vacuum pump and cam shaft. Repair took a week. 7 months later on 5/31/2024, it went out again, luckily in town going 35mph, and involved the vacuum pump, cam shaft, and this time the oil pump as well. Repair took 5 months due to parts availability. The only time the engine light came on, it was for a sensor unrelated to this issue.

- Sapulpa, OK, USA

The brake vacuum pump has went out twice with no warning and has caused my breaks to become instantly extremely stiff.

- Lancaster , KY, USA

I own a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox with a 1.5L engine. While driving with my children in the vehicle, the car experienced a sudden and frightening failure. The engine began malfunctioning, and after inspection, my mechanic and the repair shop confirmed damage to the vacuum pump, broken engine pieces, and issues with the timing chain and camshaft. These issues are identical to those described in an existing recall for this vehicle, but my VIN is not included. The shop even questioned why my mechanic had to replace the vacuum pump, which shows this failure is directly related to the known recall problem. This situation created a very unsafe condition while my kids were in the car. It is unfair and dangerous that my VIN is excluded when the exact same recall defects are present. I am requesting that my vehicle be included in the recall and that NHTSA investigate this defect further, as it poses a serious safety risk for me, my family, and potentially other drivers.

- Detroit, MI, USA

I was exiting the expressway coming up to the back of a semi truck & the brake became hard to push down. Thankfully I was able to stop in time & didn't rear end the truck. It put me & my [XXX] old in danger had I not been able to apply the force needed to push the brake petal down. No dash alerts appeared until at least 10 min after I noticed the issue. I have a mechanic changing the brake booster. The first part we received was faulty & had to be returned. Currently waiting for another brake booster to come in & attempt another repair. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Monroe, MI, USA

My 2018 equinox was running perfectly. Then several warning lights popped up on the dash. I pulled into my daughter's school and didn't have power breaks. Even though brake fluid was full. It wouldn't start back up. A mechanic shop looked at the car and said they thought the timing was off. But couldn't guarantee it. Another mechanic looked at it a few days later and said I needed a new power break pump that the had broken at the camshaft connect. He said the car would need to rebuild the motor or buy a used motor because of the damage. I have heard of several people who have had the same exact issue with the chevy 1.5 turbo motor in many chevy vehicles. There should be a recall as there is never a warning that the vacuum break pump is getting ready to go bad and cause severe engine damage.

- China Grove, NC, USA

The vehicle calls power module has failed

- Hastings, MI, USA

I was driving on the highway and when I exited and tried to stop at a red light the brakes stopped working. No warning, the brake assist engaged so I barely came to a stop in time before hitting the car in front of me. I can barely use the brake pedal and my check engine light came on with it. Its very hard to press the pedal like its got something stuck under the pedal but there was nothing. The brake assist stays on and basically is the only way the car will stop and still doesn't completely stop.

- Rising Sun, MD, USA

The vacuum pump went out on the car while I was on I-70 in a rain storm construction traffic-?? I absolutely had no brakes they were so hard to push-?? I was stuck I almost crashed this crappy designed car-?? The brake light engine light came on.. I barely made it to the side of the highway-?? Now my engine is messed up cause of some faulty brake pump-?? What kinda silly design is this-?? I could have died out there on that highway.. I was on the way to the airport and I missed my flight-?? GM needs to get their stuff together on this they-??re going to kill somebody-??.

- Thompson, MO, USA

I reported the first incident that happened in Feb 2025 when my brakes failed and nearly crashed due to my Vacuum Brake Booster failing, and I replaced it. Less than 2 months later, 4/28/2025, my breaks failed again, the same thing happened. My break pedal was hard and I was unable to stop my car. This time I had leave the roadway to avoid a collision and nearly lost control of my car. After having the mechanic check it out he told me it is a faulty system that GM/Chevrolet needs to replace or redesign. I have not fixed it because I am not only afraid to drive it anymore for fear of crashing but I don't have the money to just keep replacing a part that is never going to be ok. I am without a car, my job is at risk bc I can't always find a way to work, it has cost me money that if it wasnt faulty I would not have had to shell out the money to repair 2x in 2 months. I need GM to take responsibility before someone is hurt or killed. I need a dependable vehicle like I thought I was getting when I paid cash outright for the vehicle in 2022. The mechanic has also said he thinks it could have damaged my motor. This is a life & death situation that I can't even sale the car without worrying someone else may lose their life. Essentially I was sold a vehicle that is no good, dangerous, and it's due to GMs negligence bc they are aware that the brake booster is faulty and can't be fixed by replacing the faulty part. It is likely to keep causing a brake failure.

- Yucca Valley, CA, USA

On or about 2/8-2/13/2025, I was on my way home when suddenly, without warning, I applied my brakes to slow down and the brake pedal was so hard, so stiff that even while I was literally standing on the pedal, I was unable to stop. I nearly rear-ended the vehicle in front of me. I was honking, and honking to get the car to move and thank God without another second to waste, he moved over. I could not stop the car, I had to let off the gas and let it coast to a stop. I called a mechanic friend and he towed my car in. My car is not under warranty any more therefore Alan, my mechanic friend went over my car and determined my Vacuum Brake Booster failed. I did do some research along with the mechanic and found that the Chevy Equinox (several yrs, including mine) had a recall for this same exact problem. I ran my VIN and my car is not included in the recall. The mechanic believes my car should be recalled for the brake system being faulty and he installed the new Vac Brake Booster. Now on 4/12/2025, only 2 months later, the same thing happened, my pedal is hard and I can't stop. The first time I felt like I was going to crash, kill myself or somebody else. The 2nd time I had to exit the roadway where there was only dirt, I ended up nearly flipping my car because the dirt caused me to nearly lose control. Again, I escaped causing a crash but at the risk of my own life by not being able to stop and having to leave the roadway to avoid a collision. I had the same mechanic, along with a family member who is experienced enough to understand what the mechanic showed him. It is the vac brake booster, the same part I just replaced, it failed. Without warnings, without any other factors that can explain what is causing this system to fail. I have not replaced this part again because I believe it is faulty by the GM factory and it will keep happening. I am scared it will continue to cause brake failure and I could potentially cause an accident that could be fatal.

- Yucca Valley, CA, USA

The brake booster vacuum pump; available upon request. Yes, the brake assist stopped working while driving on the interstate making it unsafe for my vehicle and others. Problem was confirmed by an inspection at Brakes Plus. The warning light came on after the failure, Service Brake Assist.

- Harker Heights, TX, USA

Vacuum brake pump broke while driving leaving me unable to stop, luckily I was not in a horrible accident. No indicator lights came on. The part that broke went into my engine and was inspected by a mechanic.

- Waterford, MI, USA

The contact owned a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while pulling in the driveway the vehicle shut off. Contact mention she was not able to restart the vehicle and when depressing on the brake pedal the brakes failed to respond. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic at contact's residences. where it was diagnosed the brake booster vacuum pump line detached and that the brake booster needs to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,888

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

My car alerts shift to park when it is already parked and will not shut off. The battery has to be disconnected to turn the car off. It won't start and the dash displays multiple lights park, check engine lights, tire lights and more

- Garland, TX, USA

Vacuum pump for brake system failure

- Flint, MI, USA

The 2. 1018 Equinox has a brake booster.Vacuum pump on the side of the engine that is a known Failure. The vehicle has very hard brake pedal and barely stops. If left unfixed? The vacuum pump seizes and will blown the engine resulting in full engine replacement. The chevy dealer (local) acknowledges the issue and has stocked the parts shelf at $159. The problem is with multiple makes with the 1.5 l turbo engine. The cost of a new engine is around $5200.

- Mount Morris, MI, USA

I'm writing to request an extension of the recall for the Brake Vacuum Pump issue and seek compensation for repairs on my 2018 Chevy Equinox. In November 2023, while exiting [XXX] in Warwick, RI, my brakes failed despite full pressure. I had to steer into the breakdown lane and eventually stopped in a parking lot. At the time, I was nine months pregnant and extremely shaken. After stopping, the vehicle exhibited erratic behavior and not stopping, entering "limp mode." The car was towed to a local mechanic who initially thought the brakes were at fault. It was later diagnosed at Sullivan Tire that a "catastrophic failure of the Brake Vacuum Pump" caused camshaft damage, leading to repair costs of $3,197.17. The mechanic stated this failure was unprecedented for a vehicle with only 64,271 miles. I discovered that a recall for this issue exists but does not cover the 2018 Equinox. Many owners of this model have reported similar problems. Requests: Recall Extension: Please extend the recall to include the 2018 Equinox and other affected models to prevent further incidents. Compensation: I seek reimbursement of $3,197.17 for repairs. I have documentation and faulty parts available for inspection if needed. I have contacted Chevy and they have not been helpful, and this needs to be filed for a full recall. Attached are the repair invoice, proof of faulty parts, and links to related complaints. I look forward to your prompt resolution to prevent future issues for consumers. I still have the damaged parts for proof failure in my possession. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Warwick, RI, USA

Without warning my brakes just stopped working, had to push all the way to the floor and even then barely stopped. There were no warnings or lights.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

Was parking and the brake went hard without warning. Using both legs pressing as hard as I could, but the brakes would not work. Had to tow this to a repair shop - No warning light at all. Brought to the shop, they confirmed a faulty vacuum pump that had gone completely bad. Very dangerous!

- Norfolk, VA, USA