Photo: Chevrolet
General Motors isn’t a byword for quality assurance or control. In the case of the mid-engine Corvette, problems range from uneven stitching on the dashboard to paint errors and even safety-related issues like the eBoost brake sensor.
This time around, Chevy let it slip that “the seat-belt supplier” is responsible for manufacturing “certain pretensioner components” out of specification. A deformation “may result in the retractor not locking after pretensioner deployment,” translating to improper protection for the driver in the event of an accident.
Given that the seat belt and air bag are the most important pieces of safety equipment by a long margin, it doesn’t come as a surprise that Chevrolet has announced a safety recall over this condition. The biggest of the Big Three in Detroit has yet to mention the affected VINs or production dates for the cars involved, and no, there’s no date for the recall either at the time of writing.
The Corvette Action Center highlights that “it’s not unusual for the first model year of a new generation to suffer some teething pains,” but the C8 appears to feature one too many of them. While it may not be Chevy’s fault, a stricter assessment of GM suppliers and their OEM-level components would make a big change.
Not that long ago, the C7 was recalled over a diagnostic test activating in certain driving conditions. The air bag sensing and diagnostic module – a.k.a. the SDM – would turn off air bags and seat belt pretensioners deployment during the diagnostic test, increasing the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
As with the recall involving the previous generation of the Corvette, owners of the C8 will have their cars fixed at no cost whatsoever. Replacing the pretensioner assembly for the driver shouldn’t take too long either, maybe two hours tops.
While we wait for more information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, owners are advised to check the VINs of their cars online or with their dealerships.
Given that the seat belt and air bag are the most important pieces of safety equipment by a long margin, it doesn’t come as a surprise that Chevrolet has announced a safety recall over this condition. The biggest of the Big Three in Detroit has yet to mention the affected VINs or production dates for the cars involved, and no, there’s no date for the recall either at the time of writing.
The Corvette Action Center highlights that “it’s not unusual for the first model year of a new generation to suffer some teething pains,” but the C8 appears to feature one too many of them. While it may not be Chevy’s fault, a stricter assessment of GM suppliers and their OEM-level components would make a big change.
Not that long ago, the C7 was recalled over a diagnostic test activating in certain driving conditions. The air bag sensing and diagnostic module – a.k.a. the SDM – would turn off air bags and seat belt pretensioners deployment during the diagnostic test, increasing the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
As with the recall involving the previous generation of the Corvette, owners of the C8 will have their cars fixed at no cost whatsoever. Replacing the pretensioner assembly for the driver shouldn’t take too long either, maybe two hours tops.
While we wait for more information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, owners are advised to check the VINs of their cars online or with their dealerships.
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