Tag Archives: air bag safety problem

Jeep Cherokee And Wagoneer Air Bags Disabled With No Warning

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During a configuration review at the supplier for an unrelated manufacturing issue, FCA US LLC Product Engineering became aware of an error with an airbag squib driver circuit that identified three internal faults not mapped to a diagnostic trouble code (DTC). An investigation was opened and it was discovered that some 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2022 Jeep Wagoneer, and 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer vehicles may not set a DTC, and the airbag warning indicator may not illuminate.

The problem started in February 2021, when occupant restraint controllers (ORCs) with an incorrect software version were introduced into vehicle production, through to November 1, 2021, when the suspect ORCs were no longer used in vehicle production. Vehicle and supplier production records were used to determine the vehicles included in the recall population.

According to the defect report, “If specific ORC internal faults are active then a DTC will not be set and the airbag warning indicator may not illuminate. The internal faults will disable deployment of both the driver and passenger airbag squib 3 (related to airbag venting post-deployment) and knee airbags. The airbag warning indicator may not illuminate to notify the driver of possible compromised airbag system functionality. Reduced occupant protection in the event of a crash may result in an increased risk of injury to motor vehicle occupants.”

Owners receiving notices will be asked to return to their FCA dealers to have the occupant restraint controller reprogrammed with the correct software version that maps subject internal faults to a DTC. FCA US, LLC’s number for this recall is Y79 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-873.

If you purchased or leased a defective vehicle in California, it has turned out to be a lemon, and you need help to get rid of it, just fill out the above contact form or call us now at 1-888-395-3666 for a free case evaluation.

Chevy Traverse And Buick Enclave Driver Airbag Inflator May Explode

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A manufacturing defect affecting airbags will have a small number of 2008-2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse owners returning to their dealerships for repairs.

In July 2015 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE15-027) into ARC Automotive Inc. (ARC) air bag inflators after receiving reports about two injury incidents involving a driver air bag inflator rupture. One incident involved a 2002 Chrysler Town & Country that had a dual-stage air bag inflator and the other involved a 2004 Kia Optima with a single-stage inflator. Both air bag inflators were manufactured by ARC.

During the evaluation the ODI gathered information from ARC about which air bag module manufacturers used the subject ARC inflators and requested information from the identified air bag module manufacturers about which vehicle manufacturers used modules with the subject ARC inflators. That process identified additional affected vehicle manufacturers, including General Motors.

According to the defect report, GM will be recalling certain 2008–2017 Buick Enclave and 2013-2017 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles for front driver airbag inflators which may have been installed either as original equipment or as part of a replacement driver airbag module during service. These airbags could contain a manufacturing defect that may result in an inflator rupture during deployment. If the inflator ruptures it could cause metal fragments to pass through the airbag and into the vehicle, potentially causing injury or death to vehicle occupants.

Dealers will inspect and replace the driver’s air bag module as necessary. GM’s number for this recall is N212349040 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-782.

Cadillac CT4 And CT5 Roof Rail Airbags May Not Deploy Properly

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General Motors will be contacting the owners of certain 2020-2022 Cadillac CT4 And CT5 vehicles because of a problem affecting the roof rail side air bags.

In June 2021, GM investigators were contacted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding a right-side roof rail airbag (RRAB) in a 2020 Cadillac CT5 that did not deploy properly during a test for out-of-position occupants. Inspection of NHTSA’s test photos shows a twisted condition between attachment points of the affected RRAB.

In July, a yard hold was initiated at GM’s assembly plant. Inspection of approximately 1,300 vehicles on hold found five vehicles with the twisted RRAB condition. GM is not aware of any accidents or injuries associated with this condition, but have decided to conduct a safety recall.

Dealers will inspect both left and right-side roof rail air bags and reinstall the air bags, as necessary. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed in September. GM’s number for this recall is N212342780 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-611.

Chevy Silverado And GMC Sierra Roof Rail Air Bag Could Rupture

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In mid-June 2021 General Motors became aware of roof rail airbag (RRAB) inflator ruptures in three 2015 model year Silverado vehicles while the vehicle was unoccupied and not in use. In all three incidents, the steel inflator body sidewall split open, suddenly releasing the gas stored inside the chamber. GM’s Safety and Field Action Decision Authority have decided to conduct a safety recall.

According to the defect report, The RRAB inflators on the left and right side roof rails may contain a manufacturing defect that could result in inflator end cap separation or inflator sidewall split. If this happens, the compressed gas will escape from the inflator and the end cap or other components can be propelled into the vehicle, potentially injuring occupants.

The Cause Of The Problem: Corrosion inside the inflator vessel, which was caused by moisture introduced into the vessel during the supplier’s manufacturing process and aggravated by
thermal cycling in high-temperature climate regions

Vehicles Affected Include
2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
2015-2016 GMC Sierra 1500
2015-2016 GMC Sierra 2500
2015-2016 GMC Sierra 3500

Dealers will replace the left and right side RRAB modules. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 16, 2021. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy is available. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 20V-736. GM’s number for this recall is N202324251 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-504.

2021 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021 Buick Enclave Front Air Bags May Not Deploy Properly

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General Motors will be contacting the owners of certain 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021 Buick Enclave SUVs, about a problem that could result in the front air bag not deploying properly. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed out beginning of August 2021.

According to the defect report, during a weekly service programming system (SPS) audit, it was discovered that a small number of 2021 Chevy and Buick models may have been manufactured with the incorrect sensing diagnostic module (SDM) data calibration. The data files were corrected in the SPS system and the problem was reported to GM’s safety program. Their investigation found a small number of 2021 Chevrolet Traverse and 2021 Buick Enclave vehicles may have received the same incorrect data and decided to conduct a safety recall.

General Motors will be contacting the owners of affected vehicles with instructions to update the calibration software in the SDM. GM’s number for this recall is N212340220 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-472

2018 Cadillac Escalade – GM Lemon Law Buyback

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Our client was happy to buy a 2018 Cadillac Escalade.

On March 21, 2018 he took it in to the authorized Cadillac dealership because the service stabilitrak warning light would intermittently come on. The car was at the dealership for 16 days.

On December 6 he brought the Escalade back into the dealership because the service stabilitrak light was flashing and then stayed on. The service airbag light was on, too. The vehicle was in the shop for 11 days this time.

The last visit was on March 21, 2019. Our client brought the vehicle back to the dealership because the airbag light was on. The service stabilitrak message was on again. The vehicle was in the shop for 6 days this visit.

Our client called a few months later as someone had told him about the California Lemon Law. He spoke with attorney Barry L. Edzant and emailed some documents for Barry to review. He signed a retainer agreement shortly thereafter and a demand letter was sent to General Motors Corporation.

GMC decided to buy back the vehicle under the CA Lemon Law. They reimbursed our client for his down payment, all monthly payments made so far, his registration, paid off the balance of the loan minus a usage fee the manufacturer is entitled to under the law and paid the attorney fees.

If you are concerned that your vehicle may be a lemon, please call our office at 888-395-3666. We handle cases throughout the state of California.

2018 Cadillac Escalade Manufacturer Buyback Of Lemon Vehicle

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Our client bought a 2018 Cadillac Escalade and was very happy.

His first visit was on December 13, 2018 to the authorized Cadillac dealership because the airbag light came on.

He was back at the dealership 3 months later on March 12th because the airbag light was on again.

He had to bring his Escalade back in on May 30th because the airbag light was on again for a third time. The check engine light was on, too. And the A/C was blowing hot from the left side even though the temperature was set to full cold.

Our client was frustrated with the dealership not being able to fix the problem. It was at this point that a friend told him about the California Lemon Law and he called our office and spoke with Lemon Law Attorney, Barry L. Edzant to find out if his vehicle might be a lemon. He sent some documents to our office for Barry to review. Shortly thereafter he signed up with our firm and a demand letter was sent to General Motors Corporation.

GMC decided to repurchase our clients defective vehicle. The manufacturer reimbursed our client for his down payment, all payments made so far, his registration, paid off the loan less a mileage deduction allowed under the California Lemon Law. GMC also paid attorney fees.

Having problems with your vehicle and think you may be driving a lemon? Please call The Law Office of Barry L. Edzant at 888-395-3666 for a free consultation.

Airbag Warning Light May Not Illuminate In GM Vehicles

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General Motors has decided that a defect relating to vehicle safety exists in certain 2021 model year Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC vehicles.

In April 2021, a Problem Resolution and Tracking System (PRTS) issue was opened following validation testing for a future model year vehicles, where it was noted some conditions in which loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM) did not illuminate the airbag malfunction indicator lamp. GM opened an investigation in May 2021. A review of field data showed 19 warranty claims possibly linked to this condition.

According to the defect report, a software problem exists in some of these vehicles which would cause a SDM communications fault to illuminate the airbag malfunction indicator lamp, but only on alternating ignition cycles. As a result, an SDM communications fault would not consistently illuminate the airbag light on every ignition cycle to indicate a problem to the driver.

A driver might not be warned of an SDM loss of communication fault which might indicate a problem with airbag deployment. If airbags do not deploy appropriately in a crash, there is an increased risk of injury.

Description of the Cause : The Communications Gateway Module, also referred to as the serial data gateway module, software does not correctly store data indicating loss of communication with the SDM.

Vehicles Affected Include
2021 Buick Envision
2021 Cadillac CT4
2021 Cadillac CT5
2021 Cadillac Escalade
2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2021 Chevrolet Corvette
2021 Chevrolet Suburban
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
2021 GMC Yukon
2021 GMC Yukon XL

GM dealers will correct the problem by updating the software for the communications gateway module. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed in July 2021. GM’s number for this recall is N212338110 and the NHTSA campaign number is 21V-421.