General Motors recalling 4.3 million vehicles for airbag defect

General Motors is recalling 4.3 million vehicles around the world, including about 362,000 in Canada, because of a software issue that could prevent front airbags from deploying in a crash.

At least one death and three injuries have been linked to the issue, GM said Friday.

• The 2014-2016 Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet SS and Spark EV.
• The 2014-2017 Buick Encore, GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Corvette, Trax, Caprice and Silverado;
• The 2015-2017 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban and Silverado HD, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL and Sierra HD and Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that in the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the airbag sensing and diagnostic module software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the front airbags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

• Nissan recalling Maximas, Muranos due to brake fluid leak risk
• Ford, Mazda announce recalls of thousands of vehicles 

Roughly 3.6 million of the recalled vehicles are in the United States. 

GM says it will notify customers, and dealers will update the software free of charge.

GM became aware of the problem in May when the airbags in a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado didn't deploy in a crash. GM and the maker of the module, Delphi Corp., tested it and decided last week to issue the recall.