Takata airbag recall

@thomas, that’s dealer service at its finest for you!

While I’m sure many repairs are completed successfully the first time at dealerships, in my limited experience, as I haven’t had many personal vehicles that had warranty and have generally had good reliable service out of the dozens of new company trucks I’ve had, my overall experience is around 50/50, good vs bad.
And that is not “good”. Lol
Some of its corporate bureaucracy and policy I’m sure, but I believe the struggle is real to find good techs and service writers. Had an issue a couple years ago with a Chevy, under warranty. Over 9 weeks and 3 service writers later (first 2 were fired or quit within that time) I got the truck back fixed right.

navybanker wrote:
Grit Dog, while this is not a "major" problem, did receive some good info. Thanks for comments. Since it will be a while on both vehicles, on to other things.

Good to hear!

Grit Dog, while this is not a "major" problem, did receive some good info. Thanks for comments. Since it will be a while on both vehicles, on to other things.

I also received the recall letter about my 2009 Suburban. I was at the Chevy dealer for another reason and decided to ask the service guy about it. He said that since Takata went bankrupt it's hard getting replacements and GM has only authorized to do the oldest effected vehicles first which was 2007. He said even if I had a 2007 they probably couldn't get a replacement for a while and since I had a 2009 there was no reason to even think about getting one right now.
Despite a recall or bankruptcy it's very difficult buying much of anything right now. From trucks to electrical supplies, appliances to motorcycles everything is in high demand and short supply. I'm an electrical contractor and I buy materials daily. I used to know which supplier had the best prices on which items and would purchase accordingly. Now it's all about which supplier actually has an item in stock and you pay the price because you need it for the job. Even then, my wait times for most materials are drastically longer then they were before, if I can even get something at all.

navybanker wrote:
Just received notice from GM that my 2012 Chevy 2500 needs the "passenger" side airbag replaced as it may explode in an accident.

I got the same letter last week for my 2009 3500HD.

navybanker wrote:
Also my '18 Toyota Highlander has been recalled since the low pressure fuel pump may fail and car will quit and may not restart. That would be a problem on the interstate or in wrong part of town. No parts available!

We own a 2019 Highlander. Took it into the dealer for 5000 mile maintenance and mentioned delayed throttle response/hesitation. Didn't see the vehicle for a month! That was in June of 2020. Got it back in early July filled it with gas, drove it to the grocery store and parked. It was spewing gas from the top of the fuel tank. Had to be towed back to the dealer. Seemed the tech "improperly installed" the new fuel pump in the tank. :M

navybanker wrote:
Just received notice from GM that my 2012 Chevy 2500 needs the "passenger" side airbag replaced as it may explode in an accident. No parts available. Now these Takata airbags have been known about for several years on many makes and models. What gives?? Why only for the passenger side airbag? You would think all Takata airbags should be replaced in these particular vehicles. Also my '18 Toyota Highlander has been recalled since the low pressure fuel pump may fail and car will quit and may not restart. That would be a problem on the interstate or in wrong part of town. No parts available!

Because GM has been trying to avoid the recall. But recently lost their appeals. That is probably why you are just now getting the recall.

Article here

Almost all of the deaths, if not all came from Hondas, specifically the Accord and Civic. I highly doubt that GM used the same exact inflator as Honda did. Maybe the same technology and design, but based on the larger airbag it was definitely a different inflator.

I have heard that GM has data for over 60,000 deployments without a single issue. I would assume you are safe to drive your truck until replacement are available.

And why only the right hand side? Due to volume GM may have actually sourced more than one supplier. Due to part traceability of safety critical items like this, they know what your truck has in it and if anyone sneezed on it prior to installation.

In general, the “parts” situation is challenging for many things. Hopefully, we will recover by late 2021.

Find something else to worry about, imo. If this is actually newsworthy then you’re living pretty good!
BTW, I, or you, or anyone could buy a fuel pump for your Yoda right now, today if needed.
Mfgs meter or limit parts availability for recalls to meet the supply/demand. Doesn’t mean they’re not available. Means you don’t need a free one bad enough yet.