General Motors recalls over 100,000 Cadillac CTS for air bag issue

General Motors recalls over 100,000 Cadillac CTS for air bag issue

2010-12-24 10:45:24 GMT+7 (ICT)

DETROIT, MICHIGAN (BNO NEWS) -- General Motors on Thursday recalled over 100,000 Cadillac CTS vehicles to address a passenger air bag issue which prevents it from deploying.

The Detroit-based auto maker is recalling the 2005-2007 model years of Cadillac CTS as a kink, bend or fold in the front passenger system mat disables the airbag. A total of 109,000 vehicles will be sent back to GM to solve the issue.

When the problem surfaces, the passenger airbag status indicator on the rearview mirror will lighten up as well as the air bag indicator. In addition, a service air bag message will appear in the Driver Information Center.

If a severe crash occurs, the air bag will not deploy and thus increasing injury risk for the passenger, but the issue was noticed before any injuries or fatalities were caused by this condition. The problem is caused as the sensor in the mat could kink, bend or fold as the seat is used.

This flexing can cause the traces in the mat to fatigue and fracture, causing the loss of continuity in the trace that would command the airbag to be deployed.

GM dealers will replace the passenger presence system in affected vehicles without additional charges for the customer. This system was changed for the 2008 and newer models and no other GM vehicle has the same system as the 2005-2007 Cadillac CTS, thereby limiting the problems.

Owners are expected to begin receiving letters in February 2011.

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