2015 Chevrolet Spark EV: brake failure

Filed Mar 7, 2018 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 30,000 miles · CA

While driving normally, the "service stabilitrac" warning appears followed immediately by a "service brake assist" warning. Then the brake pedal requires extreme effort to slow or stop the car. The regenerative braking is also disabled. After stopping the car, the car can be turned off and then back on whereupon the brakes will be working normally. The warnings and loss of braking assist may stay away for a period of 1 minute or up to 1 week or more. It appears to be very random. Fortunately, none of the occurrences have resulted in a crash, but there have been scared drivers and passengers. This is the second time this part (the dealer blames the bpmv and is now putting the fourth one on my car) has been at the dealer. The second one was apparently leaking when installed. This work was performed at momentum chevrolet in san jose, ca. The problem occurs when the car is in motion, typically at 20-50 MPH, as that is what most of my driving consists of. There is a forum thread on this subject at chevy spark EV forum. Other drivers have described multiple events identical to mine. [xxx] parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jan 27, 2017 · Brakes · 6,200 miles · OR

Complete brake failure with my 17 year old daughter driving. She needed to swerve into a curve to slow down before approaching busy intersection. We know of at least 4 other identical issues with brake failure at our dealership alone with one owner having brake failure 3 separate times on the same 2015 chevy spark. They replaced her 2015 with a 2016 and had the same brake failure in her new car.

Filed Jan 14, 2017 · Brakes · 5,770 miles · OR

There was a "service brake assist" warning that flashed and immediately afterwards there was a brake failure while in motion. The brake pedal went down to the floor and we were unable to stop on a city street.

Filed Jan 14, 2017 · Brakes · 12,198 miles · OR

There was a "service stabiltrac" warning followed immediately by a "service brake assist" warning message. Immediately afterwards there was a total brake failure while in motion on a highway (approx. 50-60 MPH).

Filed Jan 14, 2017 · Brakes · 15,977 miles · OR

Two warnings flashed: "service stabilitrac" followed by "service brake assist." immediately afterwards there was a complete brake failure while in motion on a city street. Luckily we were on a slight incline and there wasn't much traffic so we were able to safely navigate the car into a parking lot and stop by hitting a curb. Otherwise, I don't want to speculate on what might have happened.