| Recurring |
one_organization, multiple_organization |
(a) In the case of Nissan, the article mentions a previous recall related to a software issue with the occupant classification system in the 2013 model year vehicles. Despite initially concluding that the problem was likely caused by out-of-position occupants, Nissan had to recall about 82,000 cars and trucks due to a malfunction of "strain gauge sensors" suppressing the front passenger airbag even if someone was seated there. It is not explicitly stated whether these vehicles are being recalled again for the same issue [25291].
(b) The article also highlights that other automakers like General Motors, Honda, and Toyota have announced large recalls for various issues including defective ignition switches and airbag malfunctions. This indicates that software-related problems leading to recalls are not unique to Nissan but have affected multiple organizations in the automotive industry [25291]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design |
(a) The software failure incident in the article is related to the design phase. The failure was attributed to a software problem in the occupant classification system of Nissan vehicles, specifically in the sensitivity of the software calibration. The issue arose from factors such as high engine vibration at idle when the seat is initially empty and then becomes occupied, or an unusual seating posture, which the software failed to detect properly [25291].
(b) The software failure incident in the article is not related to the operation phase or misuse of the system. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system |
(a) The software failure incident in the article is within the system. The failure was attributed to a software problem in the occupant classification system of Nissan vehicles, specifically related to the sensitivity of the software calibration. The issue arose from factors such as high engine vibration at idle when the seat is initially empty and then becomes occupied, or an unusual seating posture [25291]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident in the article is related to non-human actions. The failure was attributed to a software problem in the occupant classification system of Nissan vehicles, specifically in detecting an occupant in the front passenger seat. The sensitivity of the software calibration was identified as a key factor, especially when certain non-human factors like high engine vibration at idle or unusual seating postures were present [25291]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
hardware, software |
(a) The software failure incident in the article is related to hardware. The issue with the front passenger-side air bag not deploying in a crash was attributed to a software problem in the occupant classification system. The sensitivity of the software calibration was affected by factors such as high engine vibration at idle when the seat is initially empty and then becomes occupied, or an unusual seating posture, which are hardware-related factors [25291]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
non-malicious |
(a) The software failure incident described in the article is non-malicious. The failure was attributed to a software problem in the occupant classification system of Nissan vehicles, specifically related to the sensitivity of the software calibration. The issue arose from factors such as high engine vibration at idle when the seat is initially empty and then becomes occupied, or an unusual seating posture. This led to the front passenger-side air bag not deploying in certain situations where it should have, potentially endangering occupants [25291]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
accidental_decisions |
(a) The software failure incident related to the Nissan recall was not due to poor decisions but rather due to a sensitivity issue with the software calibration in the occupant classification system. The problem stemmed from a federally mandated system intended to determine whether the front passenger seat is occupied, leading to the airbag not deploying in certain situations [25291]. The issue was attributed to factors such as high engine vibration at idle when the seat is initially empty and then becomes occupied, or an unusual seating posture, rather than poor decisions made during the software development process. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence |
(a) The software failure incident in the article is related to development incompetence. Nissan is recalling nearly a million vehicles due to a software problem in the occupant classification system that might not detect an occupant in the front passenger seat. The issue was attributed to the sensitivity of the software calibration, particularly when certain factors like high engine vibration or unusual seating postures were present. Despite previous recalls and complaints, the problem was not initially identified as a malfunction but rather as caused by out-of-position occupants, indicating a lack of professional competence in addressing the root cause of the issue [25291].
(b) The software failure incident does not appear to be related to an accidental failure. The article clearly outlines the specific software problem in the occupant classification system that led to the recall of vehicles, indicating a known issue rather than an accidental introduction of a failure [25291]. |
| Duration |
permanent |
(a) The software failure incident in this case seems to be more of a permanent nature. The article mentions that the problem with the occupant classification system in Nissan vehicles was due to a software problem that might not detect an occupant in the front passenger seat. This issue was attributed to the sensitivity of the software calibration, particularly when specific factors like high engine vibration at idle when the seat is initially empty and then becomes occupied or an unusual seating posture are present [25291].
Additionally, the article highlights that even after a previous recall related to the malfunction of "strain gauge sensors" suppressing the front passenger airbag, Nissan was still receiving complaints from owners about the occupant classification system not working properly. This led Nissan to conclude that the problem was not a malfunction but was likely caused by out-of-position occupants, indicating a more persistent software issue [25291]. |
| Behaviour |
crash, omission, value, other |
(a) The software failure incident in the article is related to a crash, where the front passenger-side airbag might not deploy in a crash due to a software problem in the occupant classification system [25291].
(b) The software failure incident can also be related to omission, as the software might omit to detect an occupant in the front passenger seat, leading to the airbag not deploying when it should [25291].
(d) The software failure incident can be related to a value failure, as the software calibration's sensitivity was blamed for not detecting an occupant in the seat correctly, leading to the airbag not deploying as intended [25291].
(f) In addition to the mentioned behaviors, the software failure incident can be categorized as "other" due to the system's behavior being influenced by factors such as high engine vibration at idle when the seat is initially empty and then becomes occupied, or an unusual seating posture, which were not the typical scenarios considered during software calibration [25291]. |