08:10 AM EDT, 04/15/2024 (MT Newswires) -- General Motors ( GM ) is being investigated by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration over claims related to loss of brake assist in Cadillac Lyriq electric vehicles, according to the regulator's website.

The NHTSA said it opened the preliminary evaluation, which covers 2023 model year vehicles, on Thursday after receiving reports alleging a hard brake pedal that is followed by a "Brake System Failure" message at start up or while driving. There are 3,322 Cadillac Lyriq vehicles.

GM said there is an internal spindle in the vehicle's electronic brake control module and it can fracture during an anti-lock braking system event, according to the NHTSA.

The regulator said GM has developed an over-the-air update that will alert drivers of such spindle fractures.