Image Credit: Darren Brode/Shutterstock.General Motors has announced a series of airbag-related recalls affecting thousands of Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles, with one defect carrying particularly serious consequences. Certain airbag inflators may rupture during deployment, potentially sending metal fragments into the vehicle cabin.The recalls impact nearly 7,000 vehicles across multiple campaigns, although NHTSA filings suggest the total number of affected vehicles could exceed 9,700 units. Most of the vehicles involved are older models built between 2015 and 2019.GM says the defects stem from manufacturing issues involving airbag inflators supplied by two different companies. While no fatalities have been linked to these recalls, federal safety regulators warn that the defects could increase the risk of serious injury or death.AdvertisementAdvertisementOwners of affected vehicles will be notified in the coming weeks, and repairs will be carried out free of charge.Cadillac Models Face The Most Serious RiskThe most concerning recall involves 4,125 Cadillac vehicles equipped with driver-side airbag inflators supplied by ARC Automotive.Affected models include the 2015 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, XTS, ATS, CTS, and SRX, along with certain 2016 ATS, CTS, and SRX models. According to GM, the inflators may contain what is known as speckled low-density propellant.The company determined that this material can increase the likelihood of an excessively high-pressure deployment during a crash. If that happens, the inflator housing could rupture, sending sharp metal fragments through the airbag and into the cabin.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe issue is reminiscent of the infamous Takata airbag crisis that led to one of the largest automotive recalls in history. While GM says it is aware of one field rupture involving a related inflator design, no D5 inflator ruptures have been reported in customer vehicles.Investigation Triggered The RecallImage Credit: Shutterstock.GM's investigation began after engineers analyzed airbag inflators recovered from vehicles in the field. During the review, technicians discovered one D5 inflator containing a significant amount of the problematic propellant material.Although the company found no confirmed field failures involving this specific inflator design, it decided to launch the recall as a precautionary measure.The automaker is currently developing a remedy and plans to replace affected driver airbag modules with redesigned units that do not contain the suspect propellant.AdvertisementAdvertisementAn interim notification letter will be sent to owners in July, with a second notice to follow once replacement parts become available.Separate Recall Targets Chevrolet And GMC TrucksGM has also expanded a separate airbag recall involving 2,785 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks. Affected vehicles include certain 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 models, along with select 2019 Silverado 2500HD, Silverado 3500HD, Sierra 2500HD, and Sierra 3500HD trucks.In these vehicles, roof rail curtain airbag inflators supplied by Joyson Safety Systems may suffer from manufacturing defects that can cause the inflator housing to rupture or the end cap to detach.If either failure occurs, compressed gas and metal components could be released into the passenger compartment. Unlike the Cadillac recall, this defect can potentially occur even when the vehicle is parked.Manufacturing Defects Linked To Airbag FailuresImage Credit: Shutterstock.GM's investigation identified two potential causes behind the truck airbag problem. One involves a small crack that may have been introduced into the inflator canister during manufacturing. The second involves traces of water accidentally left inside the canister during production, which can lead to internal corrosion and weaken the pressurized housing over time.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe recall was prompted after a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado reportedly experienced a roof rail airbag rupture while parked and unoccupied.Although the precise cause has not been fully determined in every case, GM believes the manufacturing defects are responsible for the failures.What Owners Should DoOwners of affected Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC vehicles will receive recall notices beginning in early July. For Cadillac models, dealers will replace the driver airbag module with a redesigned unit. For Silverado and Sierra owners, both roof rail airbag modules will be replaced to eliminate the risk of rupture. As with all safety recalls, repairs will be performed free of charge.Airbags remain one of the most important safety systems in modern vehicles, but when inflators fail, the consequences can be severe. Owners who receive a recall notice should schedule repairs as soon as replacement parts become available to ensure their vehicles remain safe to drive.AdvertisementAdvertisementIf you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don’t miss what’s coming next.
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