β‘π¨ NHTSA Opens Cadillac LYRIQ Probe, Newly Popular EV Used For Uber Black
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating claims related to brake systems in ~3,300 2023 Cadillac LYRIQs. LYRIQ has gained traction among NYC TLC drivers focused on Uber Black
NHTSA received reports of a hard brake pedal, followed by a "Brake System Failure" message while driving certain 2023 all-electric (EV) Cadillac LYRIQs
GM-owned Cadillac has acknowledged issue and developed an over-the-air (OTA) update and is offering warranty-covered repairs
Probe currently focuses on 2023 model (first ever model year of vehicle), vast majority of Cadillac LYRIQs in TLC fleet are 2024 model year
Cadillac LYRIQ is becoming popular among NYC TLC drivers focused on premium trip market (i.e., UberBlack)
AutoMarketplace team is set to publish NYC TLC-specific 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ review soon. While our team did not directly experience any issues during our multi-week review, we wanted to note this announcement
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate claims related to loss of brake assist for 3,322 Cadillac LYRIQ electric vehicles (EVs). Currently, the evaluation appears to only cover 2023 model year LYRIQs.
The Issue
NHTSAβs Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received multiple βEarly Warning Reportingβ field reports alleging a loss of brake boost assist in certain 2023 Cadillac LYRIQs. The reports allege a hard brake pedal, followed by a βBrake System Failureβ message at start up or while driving. The reports have been verified by Cadillac parent company General Motors (GM).
GM also stated the electronic brake control module, also known as βeBoostβ, has an internal spindle that can fracture during an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) event. GM said that due to the fracture, the vehicles βcan lose brake assist, experience speed limitation and the ABS would lose some functionalityβ.
Finally, GM indicated a new "material clean break pointβ was introduced to its assembly plants in May 2023. GM has also developed an over-the-air (OTA) update, which will cycle the brake booster similarly to an ABS event at start-up. If the spindle fractures during this start-up cycling, a warning lamp will illuminate to prompt the customer to bring the vehicle to the dealership to be diagnosed and repaired under warranty.
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LYRIQ Popular Among NYC Uber Black Drivers
While it might not seem like a large number, when contextualized as a percent (%) of all NYC for-hire vehicles (FHVs) that qualify for Uberβs luxury service offering (Uber Black), the Cadillac LYRIQ has gained significant traction.
Although the LYRIQβs all-in price tag (MSRP) is usually north of $65,000, itβs one of the few all-electric vehicles (EVs) that (1) qualifies for Uber Black and (2) meets traditional NYC driver and passenger expectations π of what an Uber Black vehicle is (no offense to the Tesla Model Y π, nice car but luxury?! π€·ββοΈ).
Remember, our origins before starting AutoMarketplace was running one the largest all-Uber Black fleets in NYC. We know this specific niche and customer base quite well.
Based on AutoMarketplace analysis, we believe there are already close to ~180 TLC-plated Cadillac LYRIQs, the majority (as one might expect) seem to have been purchased as a result of the October 2023 reinstatement (now closed) of the EV exemption to the FHV License Pause (aka TLC Plate Cap). The good news related to this is, again based on our analysis, the vast majority of the TLC-plated LYRIQ fleet appear to be the 2024 model year. NHTSAβs probe appears to only apply to the 2023 model year (the first ever model year for the all-electric Cadillac LYRIQ).
Upcoming AM Review
Finally, we also wanted to mention the NHTSA probe because the AutoMarketplace team is set to publish a NYC TLC-specific review of the 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ. Our review was conducted over three weeks with AutoMarketplaceβs Adrian Cruz completing over 200 NYC Uber trips in the LYRIQ as well.
Weβre excited to share that review soon! To be clear, during our multi-week review we drove a 2024 model year Cadillac LYRIQ, which is not currently part of NHSTAβs probe. We also did not experience any braking systems / ABS issues with the vehicle during our review.