Chevrolet Cruze and Buick Verano Recalled for Faulty Roof Rail Airbags

What: 2014 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick Verano Sedans

Who: General Motors, LLC (GM)

Why:  The airbag inflators located on the roof rails above the headliner may rupture and partially inflate the airbag, causing sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of an injury.

When: The recall was announced on September 20, 2023.

Where: The recall affects the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick Verano vehicles in the United States.

How Customers Can Identify Recalled Products: The recall solely involves the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick Verano Sedans; vehicle owners can contact their local Buick or Chevrolet dealership to learn if their vehicle is affected. GM customers can also enter their 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into the National Highway Traffic Safety Association's website in order to learn if their vehicle is affected by the recall.

On September 20, 2023, General Motors submitted a recall to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) for their 2014 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick Verano Sedans due to a problem with their side curtain airbags, which are also called roof-rail airbags(RRAB). According to the recall report, "the left and/or right side RRAB inflators, which are located on the roof rails above the headliner, may contain a manufacturing defect that may result in rupture at the inflator weld joint."

Should the RRAB inflators rupture at the weld joint, the compressed gas will escape, causing a partial inflation of the RRAB where one or more sections of the inflator may enter or exit the vehicle. In the event a person is in or around the vehicle, it could cause severe injuries. An unexpected airbag deployment could also startle a driver, potentially causing an accident. Currently, GM is only aware of three instances of the inflators rupturing in unoccupied vehicles parked in Texas. 

In all three cases, the inflators ruptured at a specific weld joint; no injuries related to this recall have been reported.

General Motors To Provide Customers With Free Vehicle Repairs

As mentioned, the recall involves the Chevrolet Cruze vehicles that were manufactured between January 21, 2014, and June 1, 2014, and the Buick Verano sedans manufactured between Jan. 28, 2014, and May 17, 2014. Combined, the recall roughly affects 10,000 units. Chevrolet and Buick vehicle owners who are affected by the recall can contact their local dealership and request the replacement of the left and/or right-side RRAB modules free of charge. 

GM plans to send owners notification letters in the mail on November 6, 2023. GM released a statement that it would not be providing loaner vehicles to those who are affected by the recall and waiting for a repair.  The motor vehicle company recommends its customers check GM's recall website for the status of when replacement parts will be available. Until then, if you suspect your vehicle is affected by the recall, owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 to learn more. 

GM customers can also enter their car's 17-digit vehicle identification number into the NHTSA's website in order to learn if their vehicle is affected by the recent recall. The NHTSA has listed this recall under the number 23V674. GM's number for this recall is N232408490. If you or someone you love owns or has been injured by one of the recalled Chevrolet or Buick vehicles, you may be entitled to financial compensation. To learn more information about the recall or if you believe you or a loved one were injured by a defective airbag , contact a Morgan & Morgan attorney today.