GM alerted the agency to the issue and requested the recall. The recall includes the Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4 and CT5, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Corvette, Suburban and Tahoe, and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL. All are 2021 models.
GM vehicles have a communications gateway module that sends messages to the airbags. If it malfunctions while trying to process information it could cause the airbag malfunction indicator light to turn on and off inconsistently.
The problem
If the airbag warning light comes on when there is no problem with the airbag, the user could be led to incorrectly believe the vehicle airbag has malfunctioned. The bigger problem is when there is a problem and the light doesn’t come on.
GM says the fix isn’t that complicated. GM dealers will be equipped to update the software in the communications gateway module. As with all auto safety recalls, the work will be done at no charge to vehicle owners.
Vehicle owners included in the recall will get a letter from GM sometime in July. Owners who want to see if their GM vehicle is on the recall list can enter the VIN on the NHTSA database here.
It’s the second GM recall in a week. Previously the automaker recalled 2021 GMC Acadia, Cadillac XT5 And XT6 to repair a fuel line issue.