Warren, MI – February 5, 2024 – General Motors (NYSE:GM) is recalling 20,712 sedans over roof-rail airbag inflators that may rupture upon deployment and injure the car occupants.
This is an expansion of an earlier recall issued by the automaker in September 2023.
The following vehicles are affected by this recall:
- 2014 Buick Verano
- 2014 Chevrolet Cruze
Recall summary
Also called side curtain airbags, the roof-rail airbags (RRAB) are mounted on the roof rails above the vehicle’s headliner, which is material that sticks to the car roof on the inside.
In the event of an impact on the vehicle’s roof, the airbags are triggered by inflators welded to the rails.
In the affected vehicles, a manufacturing defect could introduce contaminants to the airbag inflator chamber. This may cause the metal inflator inside the bag to explode, hurling shrapnel at the occupants or surrounding motorists.
Recall risks
Background of the recall
The automaker issued the first recall for this issue in September of last year. In December, it found additional vehicles that had the same defect, prompting the present recall. No injuries or ruptures have been identified in connection with the current recall.
Other General Motors recalls
In April 2023, GM recalled 40,428 pickups over a problem with the brake system design, which could lead to a higher risk of fire.
In December 2023, GM also recalled 60,154 crossover SUVs spanning the Buick and Chevrolet lines due to the digital instrument cluster switching off while the vehicles were in use.
The repair
Dealers will replace the RRAB modules in the affected units free of charge, reimbursing owners who paid for their own repairs before the recall notice was issued.
Owners will receive letters with more information by February 5, 2024.
Is your vehicle a part of this recall?
More than 20,000 sedans are affected by this GM roof-rail airbag recall. To do a GM recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.