Incident: Suspension Problem in Lucid Air Electric Sedan Recall.

Published Date: 2022-02-23

Postmortem Analysis
Timeline 1. The software failure incident involving the suspension problem in the 2022 Lucid Air happened between October 22, 2021, and January 9, 2022, as mentioned in the article [124257]. 2. The article was published on February 23, 2022. 3. Therefore, the software failure incident occurred between October 2021 and January 2022.
System Unknown
Responsible Organization 1. Bilstein [124257]
Impacted Organization unknown
Software Causes unknown
Non-software Causes 1. Incorrect assembly of front strut dampers by the supplier, Bilstein, leading to potential snap ring failure and contact with brake lines [124257].
Impacts 1. The software failure incident in the Lucid Air electric sedan led to a recall of 203 vehicles due to a front strut damper issue that could result in a sudden drop in vehicle ride height and potential damage to the front brake line, increasing the risk of a crash [124257].
Preventions 1. Implementing rigorous quality control measures during the manufacturing process to detect and prevent inaccuracies in the assembly of critical components like the front strut damper [124257]. 2. Conducting thorough testing and inspection of parts supplied by third-party vendors, such as Bilstein, to ensure they meet the required specifications and standards before integrating them into the final product [124257]. 3. Enhancing communication and collaboration between the automaker and its suppliers to promptly address any identified issues or potential risks in the components supplied for the vehicles [124257].
Fixes 1. The software failure incident related to the suspension problem in the 2022 Lucid Air could be fixed by conducting a recall and inspection of the affected vehicles to identify and repair the faulty front strut damper assembly [124257].
References 1. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announcement [Article 124257] 2. Lucid Motors spokesperson statement to Roadshow [Article 124257]

Software Taxonomy of Faults

Category Option Rationale
Recurring unknown The article does not mention any software failure incident related to Lucid Motors or its products. Therefore, the information about the software failure incident happening again at one_organization or multiple_organization is unknown.
Phase (Design/Operation) unknown (a) The software failure incident in this case is not related to the design phase but rather to a manufacturing issue with a front strut damper that may have been assembled inaccurately by the supplier, Bilstein. This inaccurate assembly of the front dampers could lead to a lower seat spring being installed incorrectly, potentially causing a snap ring failure. This failure could result in the spring seat contacting the vehicle's braided brake lines, damaging them and impeding the vehicle's braking performance [124257]. (b) The software failure incident is not directly related to the operation or misuse of the system but rather to a manufacturing defect in the front strut damper that could lead to a loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. The recall is initiated to address this manufacturing issue and ensure the safety of the customers [124257].
Boundary (Internal/External) within_system (a) within_system: The software failure incident related to the recall of the Lucid Air electric sedan is primarily attributed to a suspension problem involving a front strut damper that may fail. This issue originates from within the system of the vehicle itself, specifically from the potentially faulty part supplied by Bilstein, the German supplier. The failure of the front dampers due to assembly inaccuracies and incorrect installation of lower seat springs can lead to a sudden drop in vehicle ride height, potential damage to front brake lines, and a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash [124257]. (b) outside_system: There is no specific mention in the article of contributing factors originating from outside the system that led to the software failure incident.
Nature (Human/Non-human) non-human_actions (a) The software failure incident in this case is not related to non-human actions but rather to a mechanical issue with the front strut damper in the Lucid Air vehicles. The problem stemmed from an assembly inaccuracy by the German supplier, Bilstein, where a lower seat spring was installed incorrectly, leading to potential damage to the front brake lines and impeding the vehicle's braking performance [124257]. (b) The failure was not due to human actions but rather a manufacturing defect introduced during the assembly process by the supplier. The recall was initiated by Lucid Motors after being notified by Bilstein about the inaccurately assembled front dampers, which could lead to a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash [124257].
Dimension (Hardware/Software) hardware (a) The software failure incident in this case is related to hardware. The article mentions that the recall is due to a front strut damper issue that could lead to a sudden drop in vehicle ride height and potential damage to a front brake line, both of which are hardware components [124257].
Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) unknown Unknown
Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) unknown Unknown
Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) accidental (a) The software failure incident in this case is not related to development incompetence. The issue with the Lucid Air's suspension problem was due to a potentially faulty part coming from the supplier, Bilstein, where some front dampers may have been assembled inaccurately leading to a front strut damper failure and potential damage to the front brake line [Article 124257]. (b) The software failure incident can be categorized as accidental. The faulty assembly of the front dampers by the supplier, Bilstein, was not intentional but occurred accidentally, leading to the suspension problem in the Lucid Air vehicles [Article 124257].
Duration unknown The articles do not mention any software failure incident related to the Lucid Air recall. Therefore, the duration of the software failure incident in this case is unknown.
Behaviour unknown (a) crash: The software failure incident in the article does not involve a crash where the system loses state and does not perform any of its intended functions. The issue described pertains to a potential suspension problem in the Lucid Air electric sedan, specifically related to a front strut damper failure that could lead to a loss of control and an increased risk of a crash [124257]. (b) omission: The software failure incident is not related to the system omitting to perform its intended functions at an instance(s). The issue is more focused on a potential mechanical failure in the front strut damper of the Lucid Air electric sedan [124257]. (c) timing: The software failure incident is not due to the system performing its intended functions too late or too early. The issue described in the article is related to a potential suspension problem that could lead to a loss of control, rather than a timing-related failure [124257]. (d) value: The software failure incident is not due to the system performing its intended functions incorrectly. The issue highlighted in the article is related to a potential front strut damper failure in the Lucid Air electric sedan, which could result in a loss of control and an increased risk of a crash, rather than incorrect performance of functions [124257]. (e) byzantine: The software failure incident is not characterized by the system behaving erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions. The issue discussed in the article is more mechanical in nature, specifically related to a potential suspension problem in the Lucid Air electric sedan [124257]. (f) other: The software failure incident in the article is not described as exhibiting any other specific behavior beyond the potential suspension problem involving the front strut damper in the Lucid Air electric sedan [124257].

IoT System Layer

Layer Option Rationale
Perception None None
Communication None None
Application None None

Other Details

Category Option Rationale
Consequence no_consequence The articles do not mention any software failure incident related to the consequences listed in the question.
Domain transportation The software failure incident reported in Article 124257 is related to the transportation industry. The article discusses a recall issued by Lucid Motors for its Lucid Air electric sedan due to a suspension problem that could lead to a loss of control and potentially result in accidents [124257]. This incident directly impacts the transportation sector as it involves a fault in the front strut damper of the vehicle, which is crucial for the safe operation and performance of the car on the road.

Sources

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