IEE Passenger Sensing System Mats

On December 17, 2010, General Motors (GM) notified the NHTSA that it had decided certain 2005 - 2007 model year Cadillac CTS vehicles contain a safety related defect. GM stated that certain CTS vehicles contain a passenger sensing system mat, manufactured by IEE, in the front passenger seat that may flex causing the mat to kink, bend or fold. If this flexing causes the connections in the mat to break, the passenger airbag could become disabled. Non-deployment of the front passenger air bag in the event of a crash necessitating that air bag's deployment may reduce protection of the passenger and increase the risk or severity of injury to them. This issue was assigned recall number 10V-644. On February 8, 2011, RMD mailed an information request (IR) letter to IEE requesting a list of purchasers for any company that was sold the same or similar defective mats. RMD also requested IEE supply the year, make and models of compatible vehicles for each of the mats it listed in its response. IEE responded on February 15, 2011, reporting that the mats recalled in GM recall 10V-644 were developed specifically for the 2005-2007 Cadillac CTS. IEE noted that, "...the CTS Sensor Mat is not the same or similar to any other sensor mat manufactured by IEE." IEE further explained that the sensor mats were sold to Lear Corp. (Lear), for incorporation into seat assemblies, with the seat assemblies finally being sold to GM. Also, some sensor mats were sold to Integrated Manufacturing and Assembly, LLC (IMA) who would then re-sell the mats to GM to use as service parts. Ultimately, these parts were all sold to GM for use in the 2005-2007 Cadillac CTS vehicles. According to its 10V-644 Defect Report, GM reported that some vehicles outside the recall population have "...significantly lower incident rates and will be provided a special coverage." This special coverage includes a free repair should the same issue occur to non-recalled 2005-2007 Cadillac CTS vehicles up to 10 years or 120,000 m