Problems with Airbags in GM Vehicles
General Motors has announced a recall of thousands of vehicles due to faulty airbags that may rupture during activation. This issue concerns 2014 model year Buick Verano and Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. This is already the third recall related to similar airbag defects in these cars.
Recall Details
The problem lies in the rupture of roof-mounted airbags. Upon activation, they may release sharp metal fragments into the cabin, significantly increasing the risk of passenger injury. A total of 2,099 vehicles are subject to the recall.
According to representatives of regulatory authorities, “the inflator chamber of these airbags may have contamination… which over time leads to corrosion and intergranular cracking near the weld.”
Consequences of the Defect
This defect can lead not only to inflator rupture but also to incomplete inflation of the airbag during a crash. Even more dangerous is that inflator fragments may separate and move within the cabin space, creating an additional threat to people in the vehicle.
Origin of the Problem and Recall History
The defective components were manufactured by Autoliv. The current recall is an expansion of two previous campaigns that covered nearly 30,000 vehicles. The initial recalls were initiated based on metallurgical analysis of three airbags that ruptured during operation.
Expansion of the Problem’s Scale
Following the initial recalls, GM and Autoliv continued testing and discovered another airbag outside the original recall zone that had a contamination level indicating potential risk. For precautionary reasons, the companies decided to expand the scope of the recall.
Problem Resolution
To eliminate the defect, authorized dealers will replace the roof-mounted airbag modules. Notifications to owners are expected to be sent out shortly before the Christmas holidays. The replacement process should be relatively simple and will not require significant time.
This situation once again draws attention to the problem of reliability of safety systems in vehicles, especially considering that this is already the third recall related to airbags in these models. Manufacturers will have to not only eliminate technical shortcomings but also restore consumer trust in the safety of their products, particularly given that such problems may be cumulative and manifest after prolonged use.