Investigations
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
NHTSA SQ SQ97017 — closed, opened 1997-07-02 and involving the CADILLAC CADILLAC.
NHTSA investigation SQ97017 is a SQ opened on 1997-07-02 and currently closed. The subject of record is CADILLAC CADILLAC, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for CADILLAC. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 1998-02-24 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "IF A 1995 CADILLAC INTERIOR IS EXPOSED TO SIGNIFICANT WATER INTRUSION, SUCH AS FROM WATER LEAKS, A WINDOW LEFT OPEN IN THE RAIN, OR DRIVING THROUGH HIGH WATER UP TO THE CARPET LEVEL, THE SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related CADILLAC files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
IF A 1995 CADILLAC INTERIOR IS EXPOSED TO SIGNIFICANT WATER INTRUSION, SUCH AS FROM WATER LEAKS, A WINDOW LEFT OPEN IN THE RAIN, OR DRIVING THROUGH HIGH WATER UP TO THE CARPET LEVEL, THE SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (SIR) SYSTEM SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM) CAN BE DAMAGED. IF THIS OCCURS, BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS CAN DEPLOY WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED ON, EVEN IF THERE HAS BEEN NO FRONTAL IMPACT OR CRASH. AS A RESULT OF THESE DEPLOYMENTS, GM CONDUCTED AN ADVISORY LETTER CAMPAIGN, NUMBER 51-01-08 ENTITLED "INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS WHEN INTERIOR EXPOSED TO WET CONDITIONS," IN FEBRUARY 1996. LETTERS TO OWNERS MAILED PURSUANT TO THIS COMPAIGN WARNED OWNERS TO NOT START THEIR ENGINES IF THE VEHICLE INTERIOR HAD BEEN EXPOSED TO SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS OF WATER. ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL 8 REPORTS OF INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN 1995 CADILLAC VEHICLES.
About This Investigation Type
Other CADILLAC Investigations
Electronic Brake Module Component Failure
Rear-View Camera Failure
Roof Skin Separation While Driving
IEE Passenger Sensing System Mats
REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT FAILURE
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.