GM’s Takata Airbag Recall Won’t Cover Cracked Dashboards
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As GM Authority reported back in November, General Motors has decided to follow through on a massive recall ordered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to replace potentially dangerous Takata airbag inflators. Now, GM has made a point of telling dealers not to replace cracked dashboards on any of the affected vehicles.
As we covered previously, General Motors has reluctantly agreed to recall roughly 7 million vehicles worldwide that may be equipped with dangerous Takata airbag inflators. Affected vehicles include the 2007 through 2014 model years of the following models:
- Chevy Silverado
- Chevy Silverado HD
- Chevy Avalanche
- Chevy Tahoe
- Chevy Suburban
- GMC Sierra
- GMC Sierra HD
- GMC Yukon
- GMC Yukon XL
- Cadillac Escalade
The Takata airbag recall is the largest automotive recall in U.S. history, with over 100 million affected vehicles worldwide across a wide range of makes and models. The issue pertains to faulty Takata airbag inflator devices, which could rupture and send shrapnel into the cabin when activated. The design fault has been attributed to dozens of deaths worldwide.
General Motors has announced it will now follow through on the recall, despite petitioning the NHTSA on several occasions to avoid the recall, citing internal research that affected GM vehicles did not pose a threat to customers. However, the automaker points out that Takata airbag recall will not cover potentially cracked or warped dashboards.
“Due to age and environmental exposure, some vehicles may display warping or cracking around the passenger airbag opening in the upper instrument panel area,” reads a recent GM bulletin distributed to dealers. “Inspect this area with the customer at the time of the vehicle repair order write up. If warping or cracking is found, inform the customer that the condition is not covered by this recall, nor is it caused by the airbag service procedure. This warping or cracking condition will not affect the passenger side airbag deployment.”
As GM Authority has covered before, the dashboard on GM’s GMT900 vehicles, including the Chevy Avalanch, Tahoe, Silverado, and Suburban, as well as the GMC Yukon and Sierra, are prone to cracking. The issue is so widespread, there are viral YouTube videos on the subject and entire Facebook groups dedicated to discussing the issue.
Unfortunately, as the above bulletin points out, the cracked dashboards are not part of the Takata airbag recall, which means affected customers won’t get a new dash with the replacement airbag, no doubt leading to disappointment for those customers hoping for a new dash in their affected GM vehicle.
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My 2007 Avalanche dash cracked on the passenger side after a few years. It has since cracked on the driver’s side. First of all it’s plastic so the armor all comment is ridiculous. Blaming the customer is ridiculous as well. It’s a crappy design and yes its cosmetic but it shouldn’t be happening with the frequency it has.
But this article buried the lead. Point is my 24 year old vehicle has finally been recalled and I can get the airbag that was promised 4 to5 years ago.
“GM reluctantly agreed to recall roughly 7 million vehicles worldwide that may be equipped with dangerous Takata airbag inflators.”
Thanks for nothing GM.
I bet Mary Barra’s family doesn’t have to worry about “dangerous Takata airbag inflators” leaving terrible facial, neck and hands scarring. They’ll get a new ride AFTER the inflator has been replaced AND examined…..
You guys can’t read. This issue has never happened with a GM vehicle because the parts are different and installed differently.
My buick isnt on any list but 3 days ago airbag exploded while car was parked. My pior brother got it in the face. Not only do i have opened dash expising airbag it shattered yes shattered my windshield.
Seems like neither the government , GM, or any other maker has a complete handle on these air bags exploding. Glsd no one was hurt.
How do we go about following up with a class action lawsuit against general motors?
Why would someone expect to get a new dash board on an old vehicle? This wear out, just like. Show or cloths come on people use common sense! FYI GM did not make the airbags and the issue was on toyota vehicles originally and the government is making GM replace theirs just in case for safety your old dashboard is not the problem. Suing a company is not the answer because the cost just gets passed on tho the customers and jobs are lost in the process need more money go work for it. Stop making attorneys rich and cost of living more expensive for ourselves!
My 96 k1500 truck with 233k still has the original dashboard in it without any cracks or issues. Gm really seemed to have gone downhill after 2007 .
Ive had many cars over the last 50 years.
None of the dashs have cracked.
All were Jap or European models, though.
The main thing to prevent it is to always park in the shade.
Always!
And, use a sun deflector in the front window.
The sun is what kills the interior of a vehicle.
Thats my take here.
Do this, and you wont have the problem.
Period.
Please, Jap is a pejorative! Its Japanese.