GM Recall

[Texas Jim]

Dow Jones Newswires

General Motors Co. said Thursday it is recalling almost 100,000 vehicles to fix two problems that could cause the rear axle to malfunction and the passenger-side air bag not to work.

The auto maker, in postings with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, said the air bag recall affects almost 96,000 Cadillac CTS sedans from model years 2005 to 2007.

Repeated flexing of the sensing mat in the passenger seat can cause the mat to kink, bend or fold so much that the sensor might not detect a passenger in the seat. As a result, the sensor wouldn't activate the air bag in the event of a crash, the car maker said.

The axle recall affects almost 1,300 Cadillac Escalade sport-utility vehicles, Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 crossovers, and Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups, all from the 2011 model year.

GM said the rear axle's cross pin could fracture, becoming displaced within the axle and possibly causing the vehicle to crash. The company added that drivers may hear a banging noise from the axle if the pin has shifted out of position.

Dealers will replace air-bag sensing systems and rear axle cross pins free of charge.

The axle recall is expected to begin in January. GM didn't say when the air-bag recall would begin.