NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation: Air Bag Malfunction in Cadillac CT4 (PE21-010)

PE21-010 at a glance

What is NHTSA investigating in the Cadillac CT4?

From NHTSA’s investigation summary:

On April 9, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE21-010 to investigate instances of air bag malfunction indicator light (MIL) illumination and potential for frontal air bag non-deployment in several vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM).

The vehicles included model year (MY) 2020 through 2021 CT4 and CT5 passenger cars, Sierra and Silverado trucks (1500/2500/3500 models), XT4 and MY 2021 Escalade, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon SUVs.Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 21-NA-005, issued in March 2021, addresses air bag MIL illumination with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B0001-1B or B0012-0D.

It cites rust particles in the connection terminal interface of the driver air bag inflator housing as the cause of the air bag MIL illumination.

Illumination of the air bag MIL under these circumstances may result in a non-deployment of the frontal driver air bag during a frontal collision and increased risk of injury to the driver.GM stated a correlation exists between production delays due to the pandemic shutdown and premature corrosion initiation on the surface of the air bag inflator housing, which, in some cases, caused rust development during a seven (7) month period of vehicle production.

In the rare instance when a rust particle dislodges from the driver air bag inflator housing and enters the air bag connector prior to assembly, an intermittent resistance spike at the air bag connector may result.

The condition generates excessive resistance in the air bag electrical system when the steering wheel horn cover is manipulated or the steering wheel is turned.

This excessive resistance is momentary.

A crash commanding air bag deployment would need to occur exactly when the momentary excessive resistance occurs.

Thus, there is a very low likelihood the hazard will present a risk during a crash of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment.

This failure mechanism occurs early in life and results in an air bag MIL illumination that corresponds to a DTC warning the driver that the vehicle requires service.

The vehicle's air bag remains functional while the MIL is illuminated, and the DTC is present.Once the connection of the driver air bag module to the clockspring is made at the plant, or at the dealership for service, there is no longer an opportunity for rust migration into the connection point.

The connector is sealed and has gold terminals, eliminating the expectation of fretting corrosion.

All subject vehicles passed standard corrosion validation testing for extensive corrosion with no issue of air bag non-deployment.There is a low rate of occurrence: 1.41 incidents per thousand vehicles (IPTV) for all related occurrences, and 0.04 IPTV for occurrences with a mention of visible rust and/or corrosion on the air bag inflator housing.

The average occurrence mileage for the subject vehicles is approximately 2,100.

Every occurrence related to the alleged defect experienced an air bag MIL illumination and there are no verified allegations of air bag non-deployment within all data sources.To date, there have been no reported fires, crashes, injuries, or fatalities related to this issue.

In view of the low rate, and the nature of early-life failure, the high detectability of failures, and low potential hazard to drivers, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed.

The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.

The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Review the ODI reports cited above at nhtsa.gov under the following identification numbers: 11537927, 11528888, 11525020, 11521401, 11506057, 11493107, 11486767, 11441525, 11433146, 11425658, 11423440, 11385267, 11376429, 11373466, 11366995.

What is a preliminary evaluation?

Preliminary Evaluation is the first stage of a federal defect investigation. NHTSA reviews complaints, crash reports and manufacturer data to decide whether a safety defect may exist. It can close with no action, be upgraded to an engineering analysis, or end with a recall.

Did this investigation lead to a recall?

NHTSA closed this investigation on August 24, 2023 without listing a recall. That can mean NHTSA did not find a safety defect it could prove, or that the manufacturer addressed the issue another way. A closed investigation does not mean owners have no lemon law claim if the problem keeps happening.

Which vehicles are part of this investigation?

What are Cadillac CT4 owners reporting to NHTSA?

NHTSA’s public database lists 3,015 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this investigation (all components). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

What should owners do?

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for any open recall on your vehicle.
2. If you have the problem NHTSA is investigating, take the vehicle to a dealer now and get a repair order, even if the dealer cannot find anything.
3. Keep a log of every time the problem happens: date, mileage and what happened. Photos and videos help.
4. File your own complaint at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. Owner complaints are what start and expand investigations.
5. If the problem keeps coming back, talk to a lemon law attorney.

Recalls on the same vehicles

• 2024-2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Tire Recall (26V530)
• 2025-2026 Cadillac Escalade Wheel Hub Recall (26V304)
• 2026 Cadillac Escalade Transfer Case Recall (26V289)
• 2025-2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Fuel Pump Control Module Recall (26V129)
• 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV Owner's Manual Recall (26V114)
• 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe Transmission Valve Body Recall (26V085)
• 2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Drivetrain Software Recall (26V083)
• 2025 GMC Yukon Latch and Anchor Recall (25V876)
• 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Owner's Manual Recall (25V815)
• 2021 Cadillac Escalade Fuel Tank Recall (25V619)

Can a recall or defect investigation make my car a lemon in California?

Not by itself. What matters is whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps your vehicle at the dealer, and a federal investigation or recall is strong evidence that the problem is real.

Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a manufacturer that cannot fix a warranty defect that substantially impairs a vehicle’s use, value or safety within a reasonable number of attempts may have to repurchase or replace it (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)). Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, the law presumes a reasonable number of attempts after two repairs of a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four repairs of the same defect, or more than 30 days out of service (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)).

An owner who prevails can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions