GM recalls Corvette ZR1; hard braking causes airbag fault

Forces experienced during track driving can cause problems for a sensing module, preventing the airbags from deploying in a crash.

General Motors has issued a unique recall for the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 to address an airbag defect.

After a media demonstration at Road Atlanta, engineers discovered that the high forces of track driving could cause a fault in the sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) that control the airbag systems.

In the faulted state, the SDM will not provide crash sensing data or deploy the airbags in the event of a crash. The fault condition is not indicated through the airbag trouble light or via the driver information center.

"The SDM software can enter a fault state triggered by extremely hard braking and sustained acceleration events under certain track conditions," recall documents warn.

Engineers have developed a software fix to restore proper operation.