General Motors is recalling certain 2018 GMC Terrain crossovers in the US due to a software fault that may prevent the airbag from deploying during an accident, which obviously greatly increases the risk of injury. Specifically, the recall affects 88,129 Terrains built between March 2017 and May 2018. According to a report filed with the NHTSA, the sensing diagnostic module that controls airbag deployment may not deactivate correctly when affected vehicles are shut off.

Consequently, it may not detect an accident and deploy the airbag. "If the SDM is inoperative when the vehicle is started, the airbag warning lamp will be illuminated, the driver information center will display a 'service restraint system' message, and warning chimes will sound," the report says. Luckily, GM estimates that only around one percent of the GMC Terrains being recalled will have the software defect, but you can't blame the automaker for being overcautious when there is a potentially life-threatening safety issue. According to the NHTSA report, problems with the modules were discovered in January by a GM engineer.

An investigation was launched in March, and data analysis carried out in April showed no accidents, injuries or fatalities related to the fault were reported. To fix the issue, GM dealerships will reprogram the modules with updated software free of charge. Affected owners will be contacted by GM to arrange a visit to their local dealer, but the automaker hasn't said when the recall process will start yet. In the meantime, affected owners can contact the GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 to find out more about the safety campaign.