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Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, Trax airbags may not deploy

NHTSA campaign 18V774000 · Reported 2018-11-01 · General Motors LLC

high How serious is it? About this label

Serious, because none of the airbags may go off in a crash, though the notice does not tell owners to stop driving the vehicle.

What's wrong, in plain English

The computer that decides when to fire the airbags was left in a factory setting used during manufacturing. In that setting, it will not set off the airbags, so they may not inflate in a crash. Affected cars are certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Chevrolet Traverse and Chevrolet Trax models. The fix is quick: a dealer reprograms the computer to the correct setting at no charge.

What you should do

1. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your vehicle is affected. 2. Call your Buick dealer at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet dealer at 1-800-222-1020 and give them GM recall number 18365. 3. Have the dealer reprogram the airbag computer, which is free of charge.

Affected vehicles (4)

2019 Buick Encore
2019 Chevrolet Spark
2019 Chevrolet Traverse
2019 Chevrolet Trax

Who to contact

Buick — official Buick recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-521-7300

Chevrolet — official Chevrolet recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-222-1020

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Why do Buick airbags fail to deploy in these recalls? · all 5 Buick recalls in this area
Will my Chevrolet's air bags actually deploy in a crash? · all 19 Chevrolet recalls in this area

Official notice

Component: AIR BAGS
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, and Trax vehicles. The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode," preventing the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Safety risk: If the air bags do not deploy in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SDM module to the correct mode, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18365.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.