Cadillac Elects NOT To Recall 60,000 STS Models For Safety Rule Infractions

General Motors Corporation has determined that certain model year 2005, 2006 & 2007 Cadillac STS passenger cars equipped with sunroofs do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Concerning Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems.

Affected are approximately 60,042 model year 2005, 2006 & 2007 Cadillac STS passenger cars.

GM included an analysis of the risk associated with the subject condition and a detailed explanation of the reasons why it believes the noncompliance to be inconsequential to motor vehicle safety.

In summary, GM states that for all of the subject vehicles:

. The subject condition affects only the sunroof, not the power windows.

. The subject condition requires multiple actions that must occur within a 60 second time period. First, the following sequence of actions must occur: Driver starts engine, driver turns off engine, and driver or front passenger opens a front door. After this sequence of actions and still within the 60 second time frame, occupants must take additional actions: Push the sunroof close switch and position an occupant to create the risk of sunroof entrapment. All of these actions must occur within one 60 second time frame.

. If the sunroof switch is pushed steadily and then released, the sunroof promptly stops moving.

. The sunroof incorporates an auto-reverse system. This system will activate whenever the sunroof is closing in the express close mode. Therefore, sunroof entrapment requires the completion of the initial sequence of engine start/engine stop/front door open actions, and also requires an occupant to press and hold the sunroof closure switch and position an occupant within the sunroof--all within the 60 second window and in such a manner that the auto- reverse is not effective in preventing sunroof entrapment.


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Fadywwf316 - 12/11/2007 12:59:58 PM

+1 Boost

I think they are absolutely right in not recalling as long as that's the real method. Now that everyone knows it though...people may try and reproduce it to sue. However, that's not the typical Cadillac owner. Also, they are pretty much protected because the only way someone can be entraped using that method above is intentionally, which means they are trying to commit insurance fraud...so GM actually has nothing to worry about when it comes to liability in these rare circumstances. They should however send out a mailer to their customers explaining things to at least cover all bases (especially for non-online forum or blog readers).

Spectator - 12/11/2007 1:12:35 PM

+2 Boost

I agree entirly.

My question is how does this actually qualify as a recall in any way shape or form. If I get the gist of it, its the same as saying that all cars with automatic windows and window lock buttons should be recalled because you can stick your head through an open window and then proced to close it on yourself and engage the window lock...effectivly trapping you. And from what I read it sounds like you have to do many more steps in the process to have similar results with the STS sunroof.

This should never have qualified as a recall. If they wanted to get anal about it they could have forced Cadillac to send out a safety notice detailing the issue and the step by step process in which an idiot could become trapped in a sunroof.

To be honest, if anyone died from this "recall" it would just be natural selection weeding out those who should not have children.

pushrod27 - 12/12/2007 7:51:55 PM

+1 Boost

You're an idiot. Everyone knows that Cadillacs have always been for cool guys. While BMWs are superbly engineered vehicles, most of their customers are posers and yuppies.

c36amg - 12/11/2007 3:58:04 PM

0 Boost

good business ethics.

Shredmo - 12/11/2007 4:26:43 PM

+2 Boost

GM is officially back!
(based soley on the fact that the German fan boys are now attacking)

daytonaviolet - 12/12/2007 8:44:00 AM

-1 Boost

So let me get this straight... If a child is playing in the front seat and a distracted mother follows the sequence of events and the childs head get's caught in the sunroof, it's not a big deal?

If GM didn't know about it and it happened then it's an understandable mistake. But apparently they have done their homework and chosen not to protect their customer.

Shredmo - 12/12/2007 1:52:39 PM

+1 Boost

I think the above statement would be humorous to see. When someone laughs at you, it is humility that embarasses. Humility often is a result of doing something stupid. Maybe the kid will learn from his/her mistakes. Moonroofs are not powerful enough to cause much pain, get a grip.