GM Issues Massive 4.3 Million Recall For Air Bags Following Fatality

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On September 9, General Motors announced a massive 4.3 million vehicle recall covering a wide range of 2014-2017 model year vehicles under all four GM nameplates. The cars have a software defect that can, in rare instances, prevent the airbags from deploying in a crash. One death and three injuries have already been linked to this problem.

Of the recalled vehicles, 3.6 million of them are in the United States. The list covers:

Certain models of the 2014 to 2016 Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet SS and Spark EV
2014 to 2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Trax, Caprice PPV and Silverado 1500
2014 to 2017 Buick Encore
2014 to 2017 GMC Sierra 1500
2015 to 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban and Silverado HD
2015 to 2017 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL and Sierra HD
2015 to 2017 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV

GM says that the sensing and diagnostic module that controls the air bag and seat belt pre-tensioner deployment has a software defect that could prevent deployment of the front air bags and pre-tensioners "in certain rare circumstances when a crash is preceded by a specific event impacting vehicle dynamics." GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson added that GM "consider(s) the vehicles safe to drive."

The sensing and diagnostic modules are supplied by Delphi Automotive.

GM worked with Delphi in July and August to investigate incidents involving similar vehicles and with similar allegations of non-deployment, including legal claims. GM also conducted road testing at its Milford Proving Ground and on August 31, GM’s Safety and Field Action Decision Authority opted to launch a recall. Re-flashed software was added to all vehicles built after Aug. 24, GM told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The automaker is preparing to notify customers and will have their dealerships update the faulty software, free of charge. Concerned owners can visit SafeCar.gov or GM's website to check their Vehicle Identification Number to see if their vehicle(s) is/are part of the recall.

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