Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch (Chevrolet, GMC and BUICK and 2 more)
Vehicle recall 79V-142. NHTSA received GENERAL MOTORS CORP.’s report on Jun 6, 1979.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s own record is on nhtsa.gov.
The short answer
NHTSA received GENERAL MOTORS CORP.’s report on Jun 6, 1979. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
The notice gives no hazard in a field of its own.
ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES THE BRAKE STOPLIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WHICH IS OPERATED BY THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH AN INCORRECT LUBRICANT ON THE ACTUATING PLUNGER.
THIS CAN CAUSE THE REAR BRAKE STOPLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL, IF ACTIVATED, TO STAY ELECTRICALLY ENGAGED.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch.
What should you do?
DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BRAKE STOPLIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AT NO COST TO OWNER.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: LIGHTING AND COMMUNICATIONS; SWITCH BUTTON RING, BRAKE LIGHTS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: WITH INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS, A VEHICLE APPROACHINGFROM THE REAR WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED. ALSO, IF THECRUISE CONTROL FAILS TO AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGE THROUGH BRAKE PEDAL OPERATION,VEHICLE MAY ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. EITHER CONDITION COULDRESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.NOTE: OWNER IS ADVISED NOT TO ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL UNTIL IT HAS BEENINSPECTED BY DEALER.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 15,328 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Chevrolet Monte Carloand 1979, before the model years listed here
- GMC G30and 1979, before the model years listed here
- GMC G20and 1979, before the model years listed here
- Chevrolet G20and 1979, before the model years listed here
- Chevrolet K20and 1979, before the model years listed here
- GMC K30and 1979, before the model years listed here
- Buick Lesabreand 1979, before the model years listed here
- Oldsmobile Cutlassand 1979, before the model years listed here
- GMC C30and 1979, before the model years listed here
- Pontiac Firebirdand 1979, before the model years listed here
- Buick Electraand 1979, before the model years listed here
- Chevrolet C30and 1979, before the model years listed here
- Chevrolet Camaroand 1979, before the model years listed here
- Chevrolet Impalaand 1979, before the model years listed here
- Chevrolet G30and 1979, before the model years listed here
- Buick Regaland 1979, before the model years listed here
- Chevrolet K30and 1979, before the model years listed here
- Chevrolet Capriceand 1979, before the model years listed here
- GMC C20and 1979, before the model years listed here
- Chevrolet C20and 1979, before the model years listed here
- Buick Centuryand 1979, before the model years listed here
- GMC K20and 1979, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by GENERAL MOTORS CORP..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.