GM Recalls 96,000 Cadillacs Because of Airbag Issue

General Motors is recalling nearly 96,000 Cadillac CTS vehicles due to an issue that can cause the front-passenger airbag to fail to deploy.

The recall affects Cadillac CTS vehicles from the 2005-2007 model years, according to the automaker.

"The passenger presence system in affected vehicles may have been built with a sensor mat that can kink, bend or fold while the seat is in use," GM said in a news release. "This flexing can cause the traces in the mat to fatigue and fracture, causing loss of continuity in the trace that would tell the airbag to deploy."

GM dealers will fix the problem at no charge. The automaker said it will begin sending out a letter to Cadillac owners in February.

GM also is recalling 1,300 vehicles to repair an improperly manufactured rear-axle pin. The recall affects some model-year 2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Chevrolet Silverado LD and GMC Sierra LD vehicles.

"The pin was improperly heat-treated and could facture and become displaced within the rear axle," GM reported on the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's website.