If you drive a Cadillac Lyriq or a Chevrolet Blazer EV, the question right now is simple: is my car part of GM recall 26V717, and what do I do before the free fix arrives? NHTSA's campaign covers about 67,380 vehicles across four electric models. The defect is a software problem in the brake system control module that can cause a temporary loss of braking at low speeds.
The remedy is a software calibration update, provided at no cost. GM can push it over the air or a dealer can install it. The owner notification date listed for this campaign is December 14, 2026, so many owners will hear from GM only after the holidays. Checking your VIN now is faster than waiting for the letter.
Which vehicles are included in recall 26V717?
The recall covers these models and model years, based on the Part 573 summary that GM and NHTSA published for November 2026:
- 2023 to 2027 Cadillac Lyriq
- 2025 to 2026 Cadillac Celestiq
- 2026 to 2027 Cadillac Vistiq
- 2024 to 2027 Chevrolet Blazer EV
The model list is the starting point, not the final answer. Only some VINs in each model year may be affected, and the campaign can be narrower than the table suggests. That is why the VIN check in the next section matters more than the model name on your registration.
Why do news reports disagree on Blazer EV trims?
Coverage of the Blazer EV has not agreed on scope. One summary says only Blazer EVs with Performance All-Wheel Drive are included. Another ties the recall to the SS and Police Pursuit Vehicle trims. Both descriptions may be partly right, since trim and drivetrain are often listed together in the filing, but neither should be trusted over the VIN lookup. If your Blazer EV is not on the lookup result, do not assume it is safe to ignore the recall until a dealer confirms it.
What does the brake fault look like at low speed?
NHTSA's description is narrow. It describes a temporary loss of braking at low speeds after a specific sequence of events, and it links the software to how the module reads wheel movement. The condition is not described as a constant brake failure at highway speed. That is the reason the recall is framed around parking lots, tight turns, and slow maneuvering, not around everyday highway driving.
That narrow framing still matters. Low-speed driving is where drivers rely on small, quick brake inputs: pulling into a garage, easing up to a stop sign, or creeping through a drive-through. A brake pedal that does not respond as expected in those moments is the sign to stop the car in a safe place and call a dealer. Do not keep testing the pedal to see whether it happens again.
How do I check whether my VIN is covered by recall 26V717?
You need the 17-character VIN, which is printed on the driver-side dashboard near the windshield and on the driver-side door jamb sticker. Then run the lookup:
- Open the NHTSA recall lookup at nhtsa.gov and enter the VIN.
- Look for campaign 26V717 in the open recalls list. Note whether it shows as open or completed.
- Check GM's owner site with the same VIN, since GM can show dealer-side status that NHTSA's page does not.
- Write down the campaign number, the GM recall number N262570900, and the date you checked.
If the VIN is not listed, the car is not in this campaign. Still check the other open recalls for the same VIN, because two or three campaigns often apply to one vehicle at a time. CarDiary's VIN check page is a convenient place to start your own record of the vehicle before you run the official lookup.
Will the update happen over the air or at a dealer?
GM's remedy is a calibration update to the brake system control module. It can be delivered over the air or installed by a dealer. Over-the-air installs usually require the car to be parked, the battery to be charged enough to finish the update, and the vehicle to stay in a safe place until the process finishes. Follow the screen prompts exactly and do not start a drive while the update is in progress.
If your car is not offered an over-the-air update yet, schedule a dealer visit. Ask the service advisor to confirm the campaign number, to check whether the software has already been applied, and to give you a written record of the work. A dealer visit for a recall is performed at no charge to the owner. If a dealer asks you to pay for the software, call GM customer service and report it.
What should I do while I wait for the update?
Recall letters can arrive weeks after the campaign is announced, and some owners find the fix is not yet available for their VIN. In the meantime, keep your low-speed driving simple:
- Avoid stopping and restarting repeatedly in tight parking garages and drive-throughs if you can choose another route.
- Give extra space when you creep up to a curb, a gate, or another car.
- Pay attention to any brake warning message on the instrument cluster, and treat it as urgent.
- If the pedal feels different from normal at low speed, pull over safely, stop, and call a dealer before driving again.
These steps are not a substitute for the software fix. They are a way to avoid putting the car in the situation the recall describes while you wait for the remedy.
What happens if I get the letter after I have already had a brake problem?
Suppose a 2025 Cadillac Lyriq owner in the Dallas area checks the VIN in early November and sees campaign 26V717 open. The car has no warning light, but the owner remembers a brief hesitation when pulling into a tight parking spot a few weeks earlier. The owner calls the dealer, describes the hesitation, and asks for the recall to be checked during the next service visit. The dealer confirms the software is needed and books the update.
The owner then records the VIN, the recall number, the booking date, and the dealer visit in one CarDiary record next to the car's other service entries. That single record shows what was done, when, and by whom if the car is sold later. The point is not the software itself but the paper trail that proves the recall was completed.
What mistakes do owners make with EV recall letters?
Three mistakes come up most often with recall campaigns like this one. The first is assuming that a letter will arrive before anything else happens. Owners should check the VIN now instead of waiting for December. The second is trusting an unofficial blog post about stop-delivery orders or software availability. Those claims should be checked against the NHTSA record and the GM owner site before you act on them.
The third mistake is treating the recall as irrelevant to a used car purchase. If you are buying a Lyriq or Blazer EV, the open recall status is part of what you should check before paying. Run the VIN through NHTSA, ask the seller for the status of campaign 26V717, and get the dealer's written confirmation if the software was installed.
Frequently asked questions about recall 26V717
Is the GM brake recall free?
Yes. GM provides the brake system control module software update at no cost, either over the air or through a dealer. You should not be charged for the software or for the labor on this campaign.
How do I know if my Cadillac Lyriq is affected?
Enter your 17-character VIN into the NHTSA recall lookup and check for campaign 26V717. If you cannot find it there, check GM's owner site with the same VIN. Keep a dated record of both checks.
When will I get the owner letter for this recall?
The owner notification date listed for this campaign is December 14, 2026. You do not need to wait for the letter to schedule a dealer check or to confirm the VIN.
Should I stop driving my Blazer EV until the update is done?
You do not have to stop driving in ordinary conditions, but you should avoid relying on low-speed braking maneuvers in tight spaces. If the brake pedal ever feels different at low speed, pull over safely and call a dealer before driving again.
Does this recall affect the car's resale value?
An open recall can complicate a sale, because a buyer may ask for proof that the fix was completed. Keep the dealer's written record of the software update, and log the campaign number with the VIN in your service history.
