GM Lemon Law Alert! GM Under Investigation for Air Bag Defects
GM is currently under investigation for complaints that the airbags in hundreds of thousands of GM model vehicles may not inflate in a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) receiving approximately 15 complaints of substantial crashes where the airbags malfunctioned and did not deploy.
Of these 15 complaints, 6 crash incidents had significant front collision impact and damage where the airbags malfunctioned and did not deploy. As a result, NHTSA is investigating approximately 750,000 Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles. Most of the vehicles under investigation include pick-up trucks and SUVs.
Which vehicles are affected?
This defect affects the following 2020 and 2021 General Motors model vehicles:
- Cadillac Escalade
- Cadillac Escalade ESV
- Cadillac CT4
- Cadillac CT5
- Cadillac XT4
- Chevrolet Silverado
- Chevrolet Suburban
- Chevrolet Tahoe
- GMC Sierra
- GMC Yukon
- GMC Yukon XL
There is also reason to believe that other non-listed General Motors vehicles are affected and experience defective airbags that may fail to deploy in a crash.
What is wrong with the airbag safety system?
Apparently, GM has been aware of the airbag defect. In March of this year, GM issued a technical service bulletin to its dealers related to the defective airbags. Per the bulletin, rust particulates can accumulate on the airbag connection terminal thereby causing the malfunction light to come on. Once the malfunction light comes on, the airbags will not inflate and thereby fail to deploy in the event of a crash.
Despite this known issue with the airbags, General Motors has not issued a safety recall. Whether GM will issue a recall depends on the findings of NHTSA’s investigation. This is the second probe into GM’s faulty airbag safety system in less than one year. In November 2020, General Motors was ordered by the American government to recall approximately 6 million trucks and SUVs that are equipped with dangerous Takata airbag inflators. GM argued against the recall claiming that the airbag inflators are safe. GM ultimately succumbed to the recall decision which reportedly cost General Motors an estimated $1.2 Billion.
What can you do if you have experienced an issue with your Cadillac, Chevrolet, or GMC airbags?
If you purchased or leased a 2020 – 2021 Cadillac, Chevrolet, or GMC vehicle that has been repeatedly repaired for the airbags, you may be driving a lemon. If your vehicle is a lemon you may be entitled to a refund, replacement vehicle, or cash compensation.
Your vehicle is considered a lemon if the defects substantially affect its use, safety, or value, and an authorized General Motors, Chevrolet or Cadillac repair facility cannot fix the issues within a reasonable number of repair attempts.
If you own or lease one of the affected vehicles and have experienced issues with the airbags, you may have a lemon and you have rights! Our California Lemon Law Experts are here to help. Call us today for a fast, free, and confidential case evaluation.
