GM recalls 4M vehicles for air bag defect linked to 1 death

GM said in an official statement that the software defect in the module can stop the deployment of frontal airbags under “rare circumstances when a crash is preceded by a specific event impacting vehicle dynamics”. A company investigation pinpointed errors in the computer software that controls air bags and seat-belt pretensioners.

The company said dealers will update vehicle software free of charge to its customers to correct the problems with the air bags and seat belts.

GM, the world’s No. 3 automaker, said the latest recall involved trucks, cars and SUVs from the 2014 to 2017 model years, including some models of the Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban and Silverado HD and Cadillac Escalade.

The first signs of trouble came to light in May when the company became aware of a crash involving a 2014 Silverado in which the driver’s frontal airbag and seatbelt pretensioners allegedly failed to deploy.

GM is initiating a big recall of nearly 4.3 million vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, due to potential issues with both seat belts and airbags. GM Chief Executive Engineer Pam Fletcher said “software download capability” is on its way. The switches, which were installed in the company’s vehicles for multiple years, resulted in at least 124 deaths and 275 injuries. GM collaborated with Delphi Automotive PLC, the supplier of the sending diagnostic module, on the probe, according to the documents. Consumers can also check their vehicles on lookup tools run by NHTSA and GM. Customers can use safercar.gov or GM’s website to check their Vehicle Identification Number to see if their vehicle is part of the recall.