GM Recalls Millions of Trucks and SUVs for Airbag Replacement

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on November 25, 2020

In a massive blow to consumer confidence, General Motors recently issued a massive recall of nearly 7 million pickup trucks and SUVs throughout the world. Reports from numerous agencies say that the recall was issued only after the automotive manufacturer was told directly by the U.S. government that the recall was needed.

The reason behind the recall is not new: Takata airbags. Over the past few years, numerous car manufacturers have had to issue recalls over their use of the Takata airbags which had the unfortunate habit of deteriorating within the cars over time and then, when involved in a crash, exploding throughout the cabin of the vehicle. At this point in time, 27 people throughout the world have died as a result of exploding Takata airbags. Out of this number 18 of them were drivers in the United States of America.

As a result of the decision by the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), another large number of vehicles using Takata airbags will be recalled and their airbags replaced.

While not all of GM’s vehicles use Takata airbags, many of their larger pickup trucks and SUVs manufactured between 2007 and 2014 do, in fact, come equipped with the problematic airbags. This affects vehicles from lines like Chevrolet Silverado 15000, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon, and the GMC Sierra.

The NHTSA has been debating whether to demand GM issue the recall for close to four years. No information was forthcoming as to why it took the organization so long to reach their decision.

For its own part, GM has said that it disagrees with the decision made. Their stance is not surprising given that the company is expected to lose $1.2 billion as a result of replacing all of the airbags in all of the specified vehicles. Still, GM has said that there is no evidence that the Takata airbags used within their lines of trucks and SUVs have ever exploded.

Rather than offer a replacement of the airbags at once, the company plans to unroll a phased replacement strategy, with various lines of vehicles receiving the recall at various points in time. Consumers are encouraged to keep an eye out for when their particular vehicle will be serviced.

Sources:

• GM to recall nearly 6 million trucks with Takata inflators

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.