NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation SQ97017
Investigation · General Motors, LLC · AIR BAGS
An investigation is not a finding that a defect exists.
NHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
What NHTSA is examining
The agency's own description of the inquiry, quoted as published
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
IF A 1995 CADILLAC INTERIOR IS EXPOSED TO SIGNIFICANT WATER INTRUSION, SUCH AS FROM WATER LEAKS, A WINDOW LEFT OPEN IN THE RAIN, OR DRIVING THROUGH HIGH WATER UP TO THE CARPET LEVEL, THE SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (SIR) SYSTEM SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM) CAN BE DAMAGED.IF THIS OCCURS, BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS CAN DEPLOY WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED ON, EVEN IF THERE HAS BEEN NO FRONTAL IMPACT OR CRASH.AS A RESULT OF THESE DEPLOYMENTS, GM CONDUCTED AN ADVISORY LETTER CAMPAIGN, NUMBER 51-01-08 ENTITLED INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS WHEN INTERIOR EXPOSED TO WET CONDITIONS, IN FEBRUARY 1996.LETTERS TO OWNERS MAILED PURSUANT TO THIS COMPAIGN WARNED OWNERS TO NOT START THEIR ENGINES IF THE VEHICLE INTERIOR HAD BEEN EXPOSED TO SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS OF WATER.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL 8 REPORTS OF INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN 1995 CADILLAC VEHICLES.
An investigation is a separate record from a recall and from a manufacturer communication. A manufacturer campaign to repair a safety defect or a failure to meet a federal safety standard.
Investigation details
Identifiers, dates and outcome as recorded by NHTSA
- Action number
- SQ97017
- Investigation type
- Investigation (SQ)
- Status
- Closed
- Manufacturer
- General Motors, LLC
- Component
- AIR BAGS
- Opened
- Jul 2, 1997
- Closed
- Feb 24, 1998
- Associated recall campaign
- None recorded
Vehicles named in this investigation
3 model years across 3 models
Being named here means NHTSA included the vehicle in the scope of its inquiry. It is not a statement that these vehicles have a defect.