New Takata problem results in recall of 414 GM vehicles
Mon, Oct 19 2015
According to documents submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (as a PDF), one side-airbag inflator failed a cold test at -40 Fahrenheit "releasing high pressure gas and propelling the separated components apart." The supplier told GM about the failure the next day. In these vehicles, the safety device might not only burst but the bag could inflate incorrectly, as well. GM and Takata say that a cause is not yet known, but they are "conducting an investigation."
GM will begin notifying affected owners via overnight mail on Oct. 19. Dealers will replace the side airbag modules on all of the affected vehicles with new components outside of the suspect lot. All of the removed parts will also be collected for further study.
Takata's faulty front airbag inflators have resulted in a serious scandal for the supplier. Initial figures indicated 34 million US vehicles are need of repair, though more recent figures have knocked that down to 23.4 million bad parts in 19.2 million automobiles. GM was already among the dozen automakers with models to fix, and some of its pickups were affected, along with the Saab 9-2X and Pontiac Vibe.
GM Statement:
General Motors is recalling 395 cars and crossovers in the U.S. because one of the front seat side air bags inflators may be defective. In the event of a deployment, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. GM is unaware of any incidents involving vehicles with these components, which were part of a lot in which one inflator failed acceptance testing at the supplier. Dealers will replace the side air bag module or modules in affected vehicles. Including Canada, Mexico and exports, the total population of the recall is 414, GM estimates 1 percent of the recalled vehicles may have the defect.
The vehicles in the recall are certain 2015 model Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, GMC Terrain and Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox and Malibus. Overnight letters are being sent to customers in possession of the vehicles and customers can enter their VIN on the https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/ website or at http://GMOwnerCenter.com/recalls to see if their vehicle is part of the recall.
RECALL Subject : Side Impact Air Bag Modules may Rupture
Report Receipt Date: OCT 16, 2015
NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V666000
Component(s): AIR BAGS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 395
All Products Associated with this Recall
Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s)
BUICK LACROSSE 2015
CADILLAC XTS 2015
CHEVROLET CAMARO 2015
CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2015
CHEVROLET MALIBU 2015
GMC TERRAIN 2015
Details
Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
SUMMARY:
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.
CONSEQUENCE:
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Additionally, if the air bag does not properly inflate, the driver or passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
REMEDY:
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 01320.
NOTES:
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.
General Motors is recalling 395 cars and crossovers in the U.S. because one of the front seat side air bags inflators may be defective. In the event of a deployment, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. GM is unaware of any incidents involving vehicles with these components, which were part of a lot in which one inflator failed acceptance testing at the supplier. Dealers will replace the side air bag module or modules in affected vehicles. Including Canada, Mexico and exports, the total population of the recall is 414, GM estimates 1 percent of the recalled vehicles may have the defect.
The vehicles in the recall are certain 2015 model Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, GMC Terrain and Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox and Malibus. Overnight letters are being sent to customers in possession of the vehicles and customers can enter their VIN on the https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/ website or at http://GMOwnerCenter.com/recalls to see if their vehicle is part of the recall.
RECALL Subject : Side Impact Air Bag Modules may Rupture
Report Receipt Date: OCT 16, 2015
NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V666000
Component(s): AIR BAGS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 395
All Products Associated with this Recall
Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s)
BUICK LACROSSE 2015
CADILLAC XTS 2015
CHEVROLET CAMARO 2015
CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2015
CHEVROLET MALIBU 2015
GMC TERRAIN 2015
Details
Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
SUMMARY:
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.
CONSEQUENCE:
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Additionally, if the air bag does not properly inflate, the driver or passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
REMEDY:
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 01320.
NOTES:
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.
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See also: GM recalls 3,300 pickups and SUVs for new ignition-switch issue [UPDATE], GM recalls 3,300 pickups and SUVs for new ignition-switch issue [UPDATE], Cadillac launches ATS-V, CTS-V Crystal White Frost editions.