uSmall Number Of 2015 GM Vehicles Added To Massive Airbag Recallr

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  With some 19 million vehicles already recalled for airbags that could explode and shoot deadly shrapnel at passengers, a few hundred more might seem inconsequential.  But the latest General Motors cars added to the massive ongoing recall of vehicles with Takata airbags are the first from model year 2015.

  GM initiated the recall after testing at Takata’s Mexico plant revealed the vehicles’ side impact airbags contain inflators that could rupture with too much force.

  According to a notice filed [PDF] from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, on Oct. 5 a side airbag inflator failed a cold temperature pressure test at the facility.

  “In this test, [some] of the inflator’s components separated from each other during deployment, releasing high pressure gas and propelling the separated components apart.

  The following day, Takata notified GM of the failed test and the company began tracing the inflators from the failed batch to the identified vehicles.

  In all, the recall covers model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Malibu and GMC Terrain vehicles.

  GM’s recall, while small, marks the first new Takata-related recall since NHTSA revised the total number of cars affected by the defect to 19 million, down from about 30 million.

  As previously reported, NHTSA will hold yet another public meeting on Thursday to discuss the ongoing Takata airbag debacle.

  The proceedings are expected to include presentations by regulators, vehicle manufacturers, airbag inflator suppliers and organizations involved in testing the safety devices.

  “NHTSA may issue one or more administrative orders that would coordinate remedy programs,” the agency said of the meeting.

  
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by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist