GM Recalls 40K Brake Fluid Bottles That Temper With Braking Performance

Generally Motors is recalling over 40,440 bottles of brake fluid over a non-compliance issue, having the inability to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Standards. Documents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlight the issue and the recall specifically for a subset of ACDelco GMW Dot 3 brakes and clutch fluid, and the part number is 19353126.

The affected brake fluid ran through the production line between October 19, 2022, and December 28, 2022, and the recall issue is caused by visible particulates found in the fluid; the particulates can tamper with braking performance and increase the chances of a crash due to brake failure.

The issue was discovered during an investigation that was done on August 7, 2025, and was conducted by a third-party test lab, which found the fluid to be in violation of FMVSS regulations. That pushed for GM to conduct an internal investigation the same day and find some sediments in the brake fluid. The origin of the precipitate was from two ingredients in the fluid, and there was no evidence of external contamination according to General Motors’ supplier.

The cause of the presence of the precipitates remains unknown, as in normal circumstances they are usually filtered out of the brake fluid during the manufacturing or bottling process.

General Motors will replace the affected fluid, and it will compensate dealers and ACDelco for money they spent to purchase the product, as well as the direct purchasers for any remaining stock of the affected fluid. GMs sent out a notification to dealers, which was planned for May 6, and a notification to ACDelco’s direct purchasers is scheduled for June 8.