Photo: IFCAR
General Motors is recalling 3.6 million vehicles after a death was reported due to an airbag software defect.
In the recalled vehicles, driving conditions can cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module – a small computer that can tell what the vehicle is doing and controls the airbag’s deployment – to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, the air bags and seat belts won’t work.
The recall covers the 2014-2015 Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet SS, and Spark EV; 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Trax, Caprice PPV, Silverado 1500, Buick Encore, and GMC Sierra 1500; and 2015-2017 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, Silverado HD, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Sierra HD, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV.
General Motors launched an investigation that led to the recall after the airbags didn’t deploy in a 2014 Silverado crash.
The company will notify owners, and dealers will update the software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the software replaced. There will be no charge for the repairs.
Owners can contact Buick customer service at 800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 800-462-8782.
Owners can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236, or go to www.safercar.gov.
