T-Hoe, in Backroads, With a Shower of Shrapnel

Seems that I've been taking my life in my hands since 2016! Every time I hopped into T-Hoe for a ride to town for those delicious Diet Cokes. And I didn't even know it until last Thursday.

The beginning of the month is when we get updates on our vehicles, through OnStar. Yes, we still have that service, even though it's virtually obsolete these days, what with everyone having a cell phone for emergencies and tracking purposes. Because that's all it is, I'm sure. Just another method of tracking people, and pulling the kill switch when that vehicle needs to be stopped. We won't go down my conspiracy rabbit trail today, though.

Anyhoo...I got home from town on Thursday, and fired up New Delly (another tracking device!), and saw T-Hoe's OnStar Diagnostic Report. Huh. The air in three tires was lower than recommended. "Surprise, surprise," said no one EVER, who is familiar with Hick's theory of tire inflation. Those little warnings show up as a yellow triangle, notifying you that attention is needed. The oil life was 71%. The mileage was 116,565. Not too bad for a 2008 Tahoe. But there was a NEW notification. A RED STOP SIGN!

Of course I clicked on it for more information.
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GM Recall # 2049152

Date Issued: May 27, 2016

Recall Title: Passenger Airbag Inflators

Recall Description:

Takata Corporation (“Takata”) has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. This is based upon Takata’s decision that front passenger airbag inflators it supplied to GM are defective. GM has submitted to NHTSA a Petition for Inconsequentiality and NHTSA has granted GM until August 2017 to complete its investigation and to submit all data supporting the petition. If the petition is denied, GM will conduct a recall of the airbag inflators covered by Takata’s defect information report. For more information visit www.regulations.gov and search for Docket No. NHTSA-2016-0124.

Safety Risk Description:

The propellant in some types of Takata airbag inflators can degrade over time, especially after long term exposure in hot and humid regions. If the propellant degrades to a certain level, the inflators may rupture during deployment, causing serious or fatal injuries.

Repair Description:

The necessity of a remedy is dependent upon NHTSA’s decision on GM’s Petition for Inconsequentiality. Additional information will be available following that decision. In the meantime, you can also check the status of this recall at my.gm.com/recalls. GM considers your vehicle safe to drive.

Recall Status: INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE

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Seriously! T-Hoe has a recall notice, that came out in 2016, and this is the first I'm hearing about it? That's messed up! We usually get recall notices by mail, and Hick either schedules the repairs, or says it won't matter. So...I clicked for more information, thanks to directions included after the RECALL STATUS.
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My vehicle has a recall, and the status reads: “INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE”

What do I do next?

GM is working quickly to finalize the necessary repair procedures and/or obtain parts. You will be notified via written communication when the repair procedure or parts are available. You can also check back at this website or with your preferred Certified Service Dealer.

At General Motors, we’re committed to your safety. As part of that commitment, this website can help you understand the Takata airbag recall and what you should do if your vehicle is affected.

There have been a number of recalls initiated by GM and other manufacturers relating to Takata airbag inflators. Takata has advised the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the vehicle manufacturers that without a chemical drying agent, prolonged exposure to heat and humidity can degrade the chemical propellant used in the airbag inflators. In time, if the propellant degrades to a certain level, the inflator may rupture when the airbag deploys during a crash event. If this happens, sharp metal fragments could pass through the airbag, striking you or your loved ones, causing serious or fatal injuries.

GM has announced various Safety Recalls involving Takata airbag inflators in a number of GM vehicles. Reference the charts below to see if your vehicle is involved in the Takata airbag recall. You can also call us at 1-866-467-9700 if you have any questions. We’re here to help!
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Well! It told me right there in the OnStar Diagnostic Report that my vehicle IS involved in the recall. This notice showing up for the first time in November 2018. Not seen before, any time, any method, since the original recall in May 2016. I'm pretty sure those phone-answerers (CYA specialists) at that phone number are not going to be in a big giant hurry to FIX MY T-HOE. Since right now, "GM considers your vehicle safe to drive."

I don't know why they'd send out these notices so suddenly (after two years) if the vehicle is safe to drive. Either it is, or it isn't. A legal settlement with the air bag maker isn't really what determines when it becomes dangerous...

I haven't even told Hick yet. So if I'm suddenly absent from the innernets, you'll know that T-Hoe's air bag has fatally fragged me with sharp metal.
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Alternate Title: T-Hoe: A Menace To Survive-ity
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