2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV: brakes engage by themselves (phantom braking)

Filed Oct 23, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA

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.

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · FL

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 the federal safety agency regarding the safety of Recall N262545360 software calibration.

Filed Aug 30, 2026 · Driver assistance · CA

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

Filed Jan 29, 2026 · Driver assistance · OH

While driving on the highway during morning rush hour the automatic braking fully engaged during slow traffic almost causing me to be rear-ended. The braking engaged after a split second collision warning after a car had merged in front of me. I was already slowing down via one pedal driving and about to begin applying my brakes when this occurred and there was plenty of space before any type of collision. I was going roughly 5-10 mpg when this occurred having slowed down to allow the car to merge. Afterwards it took a few seconds for the car to allow me to re-engage the gas to start moving again. This type of phantom braking has occurred in other instances in my driveway and in store parking lots but this is the first time it's put me at risk. It is available for inspection as needed. This has not been examined or reproduced by the dealer on my vehicle or inspected.

Filed Oct 27, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · NV · 2 injuries

On 10/26/25 at approximately 3:40pm while on a freeway (traveling approximately 65mph) with no traffic or cars in close proximity for the automatic brakes to be engaged, the 2025 ev equinox slammed its brakes on its own without driver braking. This caused whiplash to be experienced by two of the three passengers and it felt like we were rear ended but no cars were around. This is very dangerous. Had there been car behind me this would have caused serious accident.

Filed Sep 16, 2025 · Driver assistance · VA

Phantom braking at high speeds when there is no reason to stop. Had happened at lower speeds too and around turns.

Filed Sep 1, 2025 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA

Phantom braking at speed: I have experienced more than one alarming instances of "phantom braking at speed" where the vehicle unexpectedly brakes, all wheels locked, and violently skids on the pavement. This is a very alarming occurrence to driver and passengers as well as to drivers of other nearby vehicles. Specifically, this first occurred without warning on [XXX] on [XXX], traveling at 30 mph. The wheels then unlocked spontaneously after 2 to 4 seconds. This is potentially a significant and intolerable life-safety issue. When a car suddenly and unexpectedly slams on its brakes, it can create a dangerous situation for both the driver and passengers and others on the road. This could lead to a rear-end collision if the driver behind my Equinox vehicle does not have enough time to react; this may also result in Driver panic and overcorrection: The startling nature of the Phantom Braking can cause the driver to potentially swerve into another lane or oncoming traffic. The Phantom Braking again occurred on the afternoon of [XXX] on [XXX] in SLO while driving at 40 mph past [XXX]. Loss of confidence: Repeated incidents of phantom braking have eroded this driver's trust in the vehicle's safety features, which could lead to ignoring legitimate warnings in the future. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)