General Motors Recalls 4.3 Million Vehicles Over a Software Bug (gizmodo.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Gizmodo: If you own a GM vehicle from 2014-2017, listen up: General Motors is recalling nearly 4.3 million vehicles worldwide after discovering a software defect that prevents air bags from deploying during a crash. The software bug may also prevent the seat belts from locking properly. The flaw has already been linked to one death and three injuries. Vehicles affected by the recall include 2014-2016 car models of the Buick LaCross, Chevy SS, and Chevy Spark EVs. It also includes 2014-2017 models of the Buick Encore, GMC Sierra, Chevy Corvette, Chevy Trax, Chevy Caprice, Chevy Silverado. Additionally, the recall affects 2015-2017 models of the Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Silverado HD, Chevy Suburban, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, GMC Sierra HD, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV. GM will notify owners of affected vehicles and update the software for free, according to the NHTSA. "In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test," the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in a statement. "During the test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash."

Comments

Re:What the hell?

[ShanghaiBill]

Why is there any software AT ALL involved in the operation of a seatbelt? For fuck's sake, not everything needs to be computerized.

There are purely mechanical impact sensors, but MEMS modules are more reliable and require an electronic interface. Also, you don't want to wait till the impact to begin pretensioning. If sensors like cameras and radar can detect an imminent crash, they can begin tensioning the seatbelts, retracting the steering wheel, and even moving the seat back to give the airbags more room to deploy. Despite your Luddite opinion, these technologies have already saved thousands of lives.

Re:OTA updates

[BitterOak]

They should do over-the-air updates like Tesla does. Then there would be no need for a recall.

Over the air updates of your seat belt and airbag operations? Yeah, no possible safety problems with that!