Recall 18V576 covers 210,628 2018-2019 Chevrolet vehicles for a rear brake caliper piston coating defect. Brake-system bleeding is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
Chevrolet is recalling 210,628 2018-2019 vehicles, including the Impala, Volt, Bolt EV, Malibu, Equinox, and Cruze, because rear brake caliper piston coating can let gas pockets form and reduce rear brake performance. Reduced braking performance can increase the risk of a crash, and Chevrolet dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear brake caliper piston is a metal part inside the brake caliper, the clamp that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor. When you press the brake pedal, brake fluid pressure pushes this piston outward. That pressure helps the rear brakes apply evenly and keeps pedal feel firm.
On affected 2018-2019 Chevrolet vehicles, the rear brake caliper pistons were not properly chrome coated and tempered during manufacturing. Hydrogen gas stayed trapped inside the piston body. After assembly, when the piston contacts brake fluid, that trapped gas enters the brake system. Gas in a hydraulic brake system compresses more than brake fluid, so the rear brakes lose some of the firm pressure they need.
If gas is present, the warning sign is a soft or spongy brake pedal when applying the brakes. GM's filing says stopping distances are not always affected, but the pedal feel is noticeably different from normal.
Who's affected?
Covers 10 listed models from the 2018 and 2019 model years, all tied to the same hydraulic brake system.
| 2019 Chevrolet Impala | hydraulic brake system |
|---|---|
| 2019 Chevrolet Volt | hydraulic brake system |
| 2019 Cadillac Xts | hydraulic brake system |
| 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV | hydraulic brake system |
| 2018 Buick Regal | hydraulic brake system |
| 2018 Chevrolet Malibu | hydraulic brake system |
| 2018 Chevrolet Impala | hydraulic brake system |
| 2018 Buick Lacrosse | hydraulic brake system |
| 2018 Chevrolet Volt | hydraulic brake system |
| 2018 Cadillac Xts | hydraulic brake system |
| 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV | hydraulic brake system |
| 2019 Buick Regal | hydraulic brake system |
| 2019 Buick Lacrosse | hydraulic brake system |
| 2018 Chevrolet Equinox | hydraulic brake system |
| 2019 GMC Terrain | hydraulic brake system |
| 2018 Chevrolet Cruze | hydraulic brake system |
| 2019 Chevrolet Equinox | hydraulic brake system |
| 2018 GMC Terrain | hydraulic brake system |
| 2019 Chevrolet Cruze | hydraulic brake system |
| Units affected | 210,628 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A soft or spongy brake pedal signals gas in the brake system. Reduced braking performance increases the risk of a crash, so stop using the vehicle if the pedal feels wrong and call a Chevrolet dealer for recall 18V576 service. Repair is free at any franchised Chevrolet dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Chevrolet campaign vehicle is included, including Impala, Volt, Xts, Bolt EV, Regal, Malibu, Lacrosse, Equinox, Terrain, or Cruze.
- Contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule the free brake-system bleed that removes gas pockets linked to reduced rear brake performance.
- Bring the recall notice if Chevrolet has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V576 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and avoid hard braking when traffic allows.
- Call Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-521-7300 with questions about scheduling or dealer handling.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Chevrolet technician bleeds the vehicle's brake system to remove trapped gas that can reduce rear brake performance. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. Reimbursement is handled through the existing warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because all covered vehicles are under warranty. If you already have repair paperwork for this brake condition, ask the service desk how the warranty applies.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| August 30, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 30, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| August 30, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 11, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| October 11, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| October 11, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V576?
Recall 18V576 covers 210,628 2018-2019 Chevrolet Impala, Volt, Xts, Bolt EV, Regal, Malibu, Lacrosse, Equinox, Terrain, and Cruze vehicles with rear brake caliper pistons that have insufficient coating. Gas pockets can form and reduce rear brake performance, increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2018-2019 Chevrolet Impala, Volt, Xts, Bolt EV, Regal, Malibu, Lacrosse, Equinox, Terrain, or Cruze is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V576. If it is, contact a franchised Chevrolet dealer to schedule the brake system bleed. Reference recall number 18V576 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. For recall 18V576, Chevrolet dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system free of charge at a franchised dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced rear brake performance. Recall 18V576 says gas pockets in the rear brake caliper pistons can reduce braking performance, which increases the risk of a crash. Confirm your VIN, then schedule the free brake system bleed if your vehicle is included.
What if I bought this Chevrolet vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2018-2019 Chevrolet vehicle is included, then reference recall 18V576 when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V576000 |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet customer service | 1-800-521-7300 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V576 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V576000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →