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General Motors is recalling tens of thousands of containers of brake fluid after federal regulators found that certain batches did not meet required safety standards and may contain visible deposits that could affect brake performance.
The recall involves ACDelco GMW DOT 3 brake fluid in more than 40,000 vehicles distributed in the United States, according to a notice posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website.
The affected brake fluid is limited to lot number 01977 091222. General Motors said no other production lots were affected and the problem was limited to this batch manufactured in 2022.
The fluid was sold as replacement brake and clutch fluid and distributed through dealers and direct purchasers tied to General Motors and ACDelco supply channels.
Here’s what we know about the recalled brake fluid.
Why is brake fluid recalled?
NHTSA announced that inspections found visible deposits in some containers of brake fluid, meaning the product does not meet federal safety standards.
Federal regulators first notified GM of the issue in August 2025 after third-party compliance testing conducted in June 2024 identified concerns with samples from affected 2022 production lots. Additional testing conducted by NHTSA on unopened samples from the same lot in March again found visible precipitate, confirming that the product did not meet federal standards.
General Motors said the deposits appear to be caused by two additives in the brake fluid, rather than external contamination. Under normal manufacturing conditions, these particles are typically filtered out before bottling the product.
Federal regulators have warned that deposits can interfere with brake performance in some situations.
GM said it has not received any reports of crashes, injuries or warranty claims related to the recalled brake fluid.
what happens next
General Motors announced in April that it had decided to move forward with the nonconformity recall after completing an internal review and reviewing the results of federal testing. Once verification is complete, the company will refund remaining inventory of affected lots to dealers and direct buyers.
Retailers will begin receiving notifications starting May 6th, while other direct buyers will be contacted starting June 8th. Consumers who believe they may have purchased affected products are encouraged to check lot numbers and follow guidance from retailers and distributors.
Purchasers may also contact GM Customer Service at 866-467-9700 for more information. GM’s recall number for this issue is N262552830.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com or on Twitter @athompsonABJ.
