General Motors has announced a recall of nearly one million vehicles due to faulty driver’s air bag inflators that could potentially explode, causing harm or even death to the driver. The recall comes after an incident involving a 2017 Chevrolet Traverse, where the front driver air bag inflator ruptured during deployment, resulting in facial injuries for the driver.
GM and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) inspected the vehicle and confirmed the rupture of the front driver air bag inflator. Similar incidents involving inflators from the same company were reported in 2015 Chevrolet Traverse vehicles. An inflator rupture can cause metal fragments to pass through the air bag, posing a serious risk of injury or death.
To ensure the safety of its customers, GM has decided to recall 994,763 vehicles manufactured between 2014 and 2017. These vehicles include:
- 2014-2017 Buick Enclave – 244,304 SUVs
- 2014-2017 Chevrolet Traverse – 457,316 SUVs
- 2014-2017 GMC Acadia – 293,143 SUVs
Each of these vehicles is equipped with a front-driver air bag module that contains an ARC inflator, which may explode during deployment due to a manufacturing defect. GM will send letters to owners starting on June 25, informing them of the recall. However, there is currently no fix available. GM will provide courtesy transportation on a case-by-case basis to owners who are concerned about driving their vehicles until a remedy is ready.
This recall is part of a larger action involving air bag inflators. The NHTSA has directed ARC Automotive Inc., the manufacturer of the inflators used in the GM recall, to recall 67 million inflators in the U.S. due to the risk of explosion and shrapnel projection. Defective ARC inflators have resulted in at least two fatalities and seven injuries in the U.S. and Canada.
GM is not the only automaker affected by this issue. Several others, including Chrysler, Kia, Hyundai, and Volkswagen, have also used ARC inflators. The NHTSA has tentatively concluded that ARC inflators have a safety defect that poses an unreasonable risk of death and injury. A court battle may ensue as ARC has responded to the agency, denying any defect and attributing the air bag problems to isolated manufacturing issues. NHTSA is expected to schedule a public hearing and may take legal action to enforce a recall.
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FAQs
Q: Which other cars are under recall?
A: For more information on automotive recalls, you can check USA TODAY’s automotive recall database.
Q: What is the status of Tesla’s recall for acceleration and braking issues?
A: Tesla has recalled 1.1 million vehicles in China due to acceleration and braking issues.
In conclusion, General Motors has issued a recall for nearly one million Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC SUVs due to faulty air bag inflators. This recall is part of a larger action involving ARC inflators, with the NHTSA demanding a recall of 67 million potentially dangerous inflators. As always, it is crucial to stay informed about recalls and take appropriate action to ensure your safety on the road. Stay connected with us at Car news for the latest updates on automotive news and recalls.
Note: The information provided in this article is based on the original source and should be verified with official statements from General Motors or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.