GM recalls 220,000 Cadillac XTS and Chevrolet Impala over brake defect

General Motors is recalling more than 220,000 vehicles to correct a brake defect that could increase the risk of fire.

The carmaker says it is not aware of any deaths or injuries resulting from the defect.

GM recall affects Cadillac XTS model from 2013 and 2014 and recent versions of the Chevrolet Impala. Most of the owners are in the US and Canada.

It is the latest safety concern for GM, which is under investigation for taking more than a decade to identify a problem with ignition switches.

That fault has been linked to 19 deaths and it forced the company to recall more than 15 million cars worldwide this year.

In April GM’s chief executive Mary Barra apologized for the fault when she appeared at a congressional hearing over the issue.

“I cannot tell you why it took years for a safety defect to be announced… but I can tell you that we will find out,” said Mary Barra in April, testifying before a US House of Representatives panel investigating the issue.

Last week the head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration David Friedman appeared before US lawmakers and was asked why his agency failed to detect the ignition problem.

David Friedman blamed GM for withholding critical information.

The latest recall is over the parking brake, which in some cases remained partially engaged causing the brakes to heat up.

Recalls have hit GM’s financial performance – in the second quarter profits fell 85% to $190 million, the company said.