GM recalling nearly 4,000 vehicles over airbag concerns

Thu, 31 Jan 2013

Four different General Motors vehicles from the 2012 model year are being recalled over a potential airbag issue. The driver's side airbag shorting bar in the 2012 Buick Verano and 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, Cruze and Sonic might make contact with the airbag terminals, even during a crash. If so, the airbag won't deploy when it should, possibly increasing injury to the driver.

The recall is expected to begin on February 13 for the 3,896 units that might be affected. GM will notify owners who can then take their vehicles to dealers to have the airbag coil replaced. A bulletin from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration below has more info.

Report Receipt Date: JAN 24, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V023000

Component(s): AIR BAGS
Vehicle Model Year(s) Make - Model: 2012 BUICK VERANO, 2012 CHEVROLET CAMARO, 2012 CHEVROLET CRUZE, 2012 CHEVROLET SONIC
Potential Number of Units Affected: 3,896
Manufacturer: General Motors LLC

SUMMARY:
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2012 Chevrolet Camaro, Buick Verano, Chevrolet Cruze, and Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. The driver side frontal air bag has a shorting bar which may intermittently contact the air bag terminals.

CONSEQUENCE:
If the bar and terminals are contacting each other at the time of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal airbag, that airbag will not deploy, increasing the driver's risk of injury.

REMEDY:
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel airbag coil, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on February 13, 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

NOTES:
This is General Motors recall number 12261 and is an expansion of NHTSA recall 12V-522. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

By Jonathon Ramsey