GM’s Multiple Deferrals with NHTSA Takata Airbag Recall Is Concerning
More than 6 million SUVs and trucks built between 2007 and 2014 affected, GM petitioned NHTSA four times to avoid Takata recall.
Back in the New ’10s, a very, very frightening thing started happening: airbags embedding metal shrapnel into occupants instead of saving their lives. The cause? Mishandled propellants used in their manufacture. The manufacturer? Takata. Millions upon millions of vehicles fell under recall from 2013 forward due to the defective airbags. Of those, six million belonged to General Motors.
At least, they would have, had GM not delayed the inevitable. Yet, according to CBS News, that’s exactly what the General did four times in four years from 2016 until now, when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finally forced them into the recall effort.
The affected vehicles cover model years 2007 through 2014, and are all trucks and SUVs: Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, GMC Sierra 2500/3500, GMC Yukon, and GMC Yukon XL.
As for why GM held out, though, the following statement makes it clear they didn’t want to do anything:
The safety and trust of those who drive our vehicles is at the forefront of everything we do at General Motors. Although we believe a recall of these vehicles is not warranted based on the factual and scientific record, NHTSA has directed that we replace the airbag inflators in the vehicles in question. Based on data generated through independent scientific evaluation conducted over several years, we disagree with NHTSA’s position. However, we will abide by NHTSA’s decision and begin taking the necessary steps.
Let us get this straight: despite the horror stories from other brands with Takata airbags, plus the aforementioned recalls running over 100 million (63 million in the U.S. alone), and the ultimate demise of Takata itself through bankruptcy in 2018…
GM decided to fight off the recall effort? Four times in four years?
Isn’t it better to be safe than sorry, though?
We’ll let Grace Brombach of the U.S. PIRG Education Fund give the final word on this matter, as told to CBS:
“Air bags exist to protect drivers, not to do more harm. Vehicle owners shouldn’t have to worry that their car’s air bag could be the thing that kills them during a minor fender bender or a more serious collision.”
Photos: Chevrolet
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