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NHTSA probes 2010 Chevy Tahoe for side airbag issue

After a person was killed in a rollover accident in a 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe in Texas in 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is considering whether to conduct a deeper investigation into a potential problem with the model's side airbags. According to the petition filed with the government agency, the SUV's rollover side curtain airbag deployed in the accident, but the design allegedly still allowed some of the occupants in the second- and third-row seats to be ejected from the vehicle. One of them died in the crash. Based on NHTSA's preliminary review, this is the only report of this type of incident happening in a 2007-2015 Tahoe or GMC Yukon. "GM investigated the complaint that is the basis of the petition and found no defect trend," company spokesperson Alan Adler said to The Detroit News, and said the automaker will cooperate with the feds. Still, "a defect petition has been opened to evaluate the issue and make a grant or deny decision," according to NHTSA. Depending on the agency's findings, this could lead to a full investigation and possible recall affecting an estimated 58,000 vehicles. INVESTIGATION Subject : Rollover Side Curtain Air Bags Date Investigation Opened: JUN 11, 2015 Date Investigation Closed: Open NHTSA Action Number: DP15004 Component(s): AIR BAGS All Products Associated with this Investigation Vehicle MakeModelModel Year(s) CHEVROLET TAHOE 2010 CHEVROLET TAHOE HYBRID 2010 Details Manufacturer: General Motors LLC SUMMARY: The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received a petition requesting an investigation of alleged defects that can cause occupant ejections during rollover crashes in certain General Motors vehicles. The petition alleges the defects allow second and third row occupants to be ejected despite the deployment of rollover side curtain air bags. The petition cites a 2011 Texas crash involving a model year 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe, which allegedly resulted in multiple occupants to be ejected. One of the ejected occupants was fatally injured. ODI's preliminary review of its consumer complaint data found no similar reports of occupant ejections on 2007-2015 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon vehicles. ODI also reviewed Early Warning Reporting data submitted by General Motors. A defect petition has been opened to evaluate the issue and make a grant or deny decision.

Next-gen GM SUVs caught wearing new boxy bodies [w/video]

We recently drove the brand-new 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and found it to be vastly improved compared to the outgoing model. And now that The General's pickup trucks have been squared away, it's time to focus our attention onto their passenger-friendly companions, the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon (above).
Our spy photographers have passed along a huge smattering of photos (and a video), showing the new SUVs out testing. Both the short- and long-wheelbase models were spied, and while the overall shape of the vehicles hasn't changed all that much, we expect the updates to be substantial. In addition to new powertrain options, like GM's new small-block V8, we expect the interiors of both SUVs to get massive makeovers, providing better materials throughout their cabins and quieter, more refined environments. We even hear that some trick new suspension developments may be in store for upper-end models.
Visually, these spy shots allow us to see a couple of new details on the SUVs' front and rear fascias, including LED running lamps on the Yukon and some interesting LED taillamp treatments. Of course, the obvious third party missing from this set of photos is the Cadillac Escalade, but as we reported earlier, GM is working to further differentiate the 'Slade from the rest of the fullsize SUV lineup, and is working to make the new model "much less ostentatious."

Updated Chevy Silverado spied, possibly with aluminum components

Chevrolet is readying a refresh for its trusty Silverado pickup, and these spy shots give us our first glimpse at what might be in store. The front and rear fascias of this prototype are covered, obscuring some styling tweaks (with LED accents up front). More interestingly, our spies suggest that many of the Silverado's body components could move to aluminum with this mid-cycle update. The hood will go from steel to the lighter alloy, and it's possible the front fenders could benefit from the weight-saving material, too. Ford's latest F-150 is extremely aluminum-intensive, and by switching the construction, 700 pounds was trimmed off the truck's weight. We've already heard that General Motors is working with a similar plan for its next-generation fullsize trucks. Beyond that, expect the smaller 5.3-liter V8 to ditch its six-speed automatic transmission in favor of the eight-speed unit that's already mated to the larger, 6.2-liter V8. Neither transmission will stick around very long, as the trucks will likely adopt a 10-speed automatic around 2017. Look for the updated Silverado to debut later this year, likely as a 2016.5 model.