| Recurring |
one_organization |
(a) The software failure incident related to the Electronic Brake Control Module software problems affecting the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, and Cadillac CT6 is a case where a similar incident has happened again within the same organization (General Motors) [93693]. This incident highlights a recurring issue within GM's vehicles, specifically with the brake control software leading to safety concerns and the need for recalls and repairs.
(b) There is no information in the provided article about a similar incident happening at other organizations or with their products and services. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident related to the design phase is evident in the article. The recall for the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, and Cadillac CT6 was due to Electronic Brake Control Module software problems. The issue in the brake control software could deactivate the electronic stability control and antilock brake system, posing a safety risk as the vehicle's diagnostics system would not illuminate any warning lights on the dashboard. This failure was a result of a problem introduced during the system development phase [93693].
(b) The software failure incident related to the operation phase is also highlighted in the article. The recall for the Silverado and Sierra models was due to a poor connection between the battery and alternator, caused by excess glue. This issue could lead to intermittent electrical flow, stalling of the pickups, arcing, increased heat, and a fire risk. The failure in this case was due to factors introduced by the operation or misuse of the system [93693]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system |
(a) The software failure incident related to the brake control module affecting certain General Motors vehicles falls under the within_system boundary. The issue in the brake control software could deactivate the electronic stability control and antilock brake system, posing a safety risk to the vehicles. The error in the software prevents the vehicle's diagnostics system from illuminating any warning lights on the dashboard, further complicating the situation [93693]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident related to non-human actions in this case is the Electronic Brake Control Module software problems affecting certain General Motors vehicles. The issue in the brake control software could deactivate the electronic stability control and antilock brake system, which doesn't comply with US regulations and poses a risk of a crash. Importantly, the error in the software will keep the vehicle's diagnostics system from illuminating any warning lights on the dashboard, further increasing the risk for drivers [93693].
(b) The software failure incident related to human actions in this case involves the poor connection between the battery and alternator in certain Silverado and Sierra models due to excess glue applied during assembly. This issue may cause intermittent electrical flow, leading to an increased chance of the pickups stalling and arcing, which can result in increased heat and a fire risk. GM noted that this problem has already led to at least one fire incident [93693]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
hardware, software |
(a) The software failure incident related to hardware:
- The second recall mentioned in the article covers the Silverado and Sierra models for battery and alternator issues that increase the chance of a fire. The issue is attributed to a poor connection between the battery and alternator, caused by excess glue, leading to intermittent electrical flow and a risk of stalling and arcing, which can result in increased heat and a fire risk [93693].
(b) The software failure incident related to software:
- The first recall in the article involves the automaker's popular full-size pickup trucks and the Cadillac CT6 for Electronic Brake Control Module software problems. The issue in the brake control software could deactivate the electronic stability control and antilock brake system, posing a safety risk as the vehicle's diagnostics system may not illuminate any warning lights on the dashboard, potentially leading to an increased risk of a crash [93693]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
non-malicious |
(a) The software failure incident related to the Electronic Brake Control Module in General Motors vehicles was non-malicious. The issue in the brake control software could deactivate the electronic stability control and antilock brake system, posing a risk of a crash. GM mentioned that this specific issue would keep the vehicle's diagnostics system from illuminating any warning lights on the dashboard, which could lead to an increased risk of a crash [93693]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
poor_decisions, accidental_decisions |
The software failure incident related to the brake control module in General Motors' vehicles, as reported in Article 93693, can be attributed to both poor decisions and accidental decisions.
1. Poor Decisions:
The software problem in the Electronic Brake Control Module led to the deactivation of the electronic stability control and antilock brake system. GM mentioned that this specific issue would prevent warning lights on the dashboard from illuminating, which means drivers may not be aware of the disengaged safety systems, increasing the risk of a crash [93693].
2. Accidental Decisions:
The issue with the brake control software was caused by a poor connection between the battery and alternator due to excess glue, leading to intermittent electrical flow. This poor connection could result in the pickups stalling and arcing, posing a fire risk. GM acknowledged one fire incident related to this problem, indicating an unintended consequence of the software issue [93693]. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence |
(a) The software failure incident related to the Electronic Brake Control Module in General Motors vehicles can be attributed to development incompetence. The issue in the brake control software could deactivate the electronic stability control and antilock brake system, which poses a significant safety risk as the vehicle's diagnostics system fails to illuminate any warning lights on the dashboard, leading to an increased risk of a crash [93693]. This indicates a lack of professional competence in ensuring the proper functioning and compliance of the software with US regulations. |
| Duration |
temporary |
The software failure incident related to the brake control module software problem in the General Motors vehicles is temporary. The article mentions that the issue in the brake control software could deactivate the electronic stability control and antilock brake system, but it also highlights that the specific issue will keep the vehicle's diagnostics system from illuminating any warning lights on the dashboard. This indicates that the failure is temporary and dependent on certain circumstances rather than being a permanent failure [93693]. |
| Behaviour |
crash, omission, value, other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident related to the brake control software in the General Motors vehicles can be categorized as a crash. The issue in the brake control software could deactivate the electronic stability control and antilock brake system, which could keep the vehicle's diagnostics system from illuminating any warning lights on the dashboard. This failure could lead to an increased risk of a crash as the systems are disengaged without any warning to the driver [93693].
(b) omission: The software failure incident related to the brake control software in the General Motors vehicles can also be categorized as an omission. The issue in the brake control software could deactivate the electronic stability control and antilock brake system, which means the system is omitting to perform its intended functions, thereby increasing the risk of a crash [93693].
(c) timing: The software failure incident related to the brake control software in the General Motors vehicles does not align with a timing failure. The issue with the brake control software does not involve the system performing its intended functions too late or too early [93693].
(d) value: The software failure incident related to the brake control software in the General Motors vehicles can be categorized as a value failure. The issue in the brake control software causes the system to perform its intended functions incorrectly by deactivating critical safety systems without alerting the driver, leading to an increased risk of a crash [93693].
(e) byzantine: The software failure incident related to the brake control software in the General Motors vehicles does not align with a byzantine failure. The issue with the brake control software does not involve inconsistent responses or interactions [93693].
(f) other: The software failure incident related to the battery and alternator issues in the General Motors vehicles can be categorized as a failure due to a poor connection between the battery and alternator, caused by excess glue. This issue may lead to intermittent electrical flow, stalling of the pickups, arcing, increased heat, and a fire risk. This behavior could be classified as a hardware-related failure rather than a software failure [93693]. |