GM recalls 6,910 vehicles due to airbag defects

Jakarta (ANTARA) - US-based automotive company General Motors (GM) has launched a recall of 6,910 vehicles due to airbag issues. According to CarsCoops report on Friday, the local road safety authority warned that the defect could cause serious injuries or fatalities. The most severe recall involves 4,125 driver-side airbag inflators that risk rupturing during deployment and spraying sharp metal fragments into the vehicle cabin. US authorities have described the condition as highly dangerous, as metal shards could injure drivers and passengers. Affected models include the 2015 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, 2015 Cadillac XTS, and 2015-2016 Cadillac ATS, CTS, and SRX. GM attributes the issue to a manufacturing defect from the supplier, which can cause inflators to rupture when airbags deploy. Investigations revealed that propellant from two production batches had low-density spots, increasing pressure during deployment and potentially triggering inflator explosions. GM’s investigation followed the discovery of similar propellant materials in other inflator types previously involved in recalls. The company acknowledged one field incident and one test case involving different inflator types. As a remedy, GM will replace the driver airbag module with a new unit using non-defective propellant. However, the company stated a permanent fix is still being prepared. Initial notification letters to vehicle owners will be sent starting July 2026. If the defect occurs, pressurised gas may escape from the inflator, ejecting metal components into the cabin. The airbags are manufactured by Joyson Safety Systems. GM stated the recall was triggered by an incident involving a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado with a potential right-side airbag rupture while parked and unused. Investigations found two possible manufacturing defects: small cracks in the inflator tube and residual water left during component cleaning, leading to corrosion over time. GM dealers will replace both roof rail airbag modules on affected vehicles. Owners are scheduled to receive official notifications in early July 2026.