| Recurring |
one_organization, multiple_organization |
(a) The software failure incident related to airbag controller defects has happened again at Fiat Chrysler. This is the second recall this year for this specific type of device at Fiat Chrysler, indicating a recurring issue within the same organization [48266].
(b) The problem with desiccants in airbag systems is not limited to a single supplier or automaker. The article mentions that Takata, a Japanese manufacturer of airbag inflators, also faced issues with desiccants in their airbag systems, leading to recalls affecting Toyota, Nissan, and Honda vehicles [48266]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident related to the design phase can be seen in the article where Fiat Chrysler announced a recall of 1.9 million vehicles worldwide due to an airbag controller defect. The defect was linked to three deaths and five injuries and was related to a design flaw in the occupational restraint controller, which is a computer that controls the deployment of airbags and automatic seat-belt tighteners in crashes [48266].
(b) The software failure incident related to the operation phase can be inferred from the article where it mentions that in the recalled models, the computer controlling the airbags and tighteners may trigger them unexpectedly or fail to deploy them at all in the event of a crash. This indicates a failure in the operation of the system during a critical event like a crash [48266]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system |
(a) within_system: The software failure incident related to the airbag controller defect in Fiat Chrysler vehicles can be categorized as within_system. The defect was specifically related to a device called an occupational restraint controller, which is a computer that controls the deployment of airbags and seat-belt tighteners within the vehicles [48266]. The issue originated from within the system design and manufacturing process of the vehicles themselves, leading to unexpected triggering or non-deployment of airbags and tighteners during crashes. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident related to the airbag controller defect in Fiat Chrysler vehicles was primarily due to non-human actions. The defect in the occupant restraint controller, a computer that controls the deployment of airbags and seat-belt tighteners, was a result of a design flaw or malfunction in the software itself, not introduced by human actions [48266].
(b) However, it is important to note that the recall and investigation into the airbag controller defect were initiated by human actions. Fiat Chrysler announced the recall after identifying the issue, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted investigations into airbag controllers manufactured by Continental Automotive Systems and issued recalls based on their findings [48266]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
hardware |
(a) The software failure incident related to hardware:
- The article mentions a defect in a device called an occupational restraint controller, which is a computer that controls the deployment of airbags and automatic seat-belt tighteners in crashes [48266].
- The recall was related to an airbag controller defect that has been linked to three deaths and five injuries, indicating a hardware issue with the controller triggering airbags and tighteners unexpectedly or not deploying them at all in crashes [48266].
(b) The software failure incident related to software:
- The article does not specifically mention a software failure incident originating from software issues. Therefore, it is unknown if the failure was due to contributing factors that originate in software. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
non-malicious |
(a) The articles do not mention any malicious intent related to the software failure incident.
(b) The software failure incident mentioned in the articles is non-malicious and is related to a defect in the airbag controller, specifically the occupational restraint controller, which controls the deployment of airbags and seat-belt tighteners in crashes. The defect in the computer may cause the airbags and tighteners to deploy unexpectedly or not deploy at all in the event of a crash [48266]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
unknown |
The software failure incident related to the airbag controller defect in Fiat Chrysler vehicles does not directly point to poor decisions or accidental decisions as the intent behind the failure. The issue seems to stem from a defect in the device itself rather than decisions made during the development or implementation process. Therefore, the specific intent behind the software failure incident is not explicitly mentioned in the provided articles [48266]. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence, accidental |
(a) The software failure incident related to the airbag controller defect at Fiat Chrysler can be attributed to development incompetence. The article mentions that the recall was initiated to address a defect in the occupational restraint controller, a computer that controls the deployment of airbags and seat-belt tighteners. The issue was with the computer triggering airbags and tighteners unexpectedly or failing to deploy them in a crash, indicating a failure in the development of the controller [48266].
(b) The software failure incident can also be considered accidental as the defect in the airbag controller was not intentional but rather a result of a problem with the design or manufacturing process. The article does not explicitly mention any malicious intent behind the defect, suggesting that it was an accidental failure [48266]. |
| Duration |
temporary |
The software failure incident related to the airbag controller defect in Fiat Chrysler vehicles can be considered as a temporary failure. This is because the defect in the occupant restraint controller, which is a computer controlling airbag deployment, was specific to certain models sold between 2010 and 2014. The defect caused the airbags and automatic seat-belt tighteners to trigger unexpectedly or not deploy at all in crashes [48266]. The issue was not a permanent failure affecting all circumstances but rather a specific problem introduced by certain circumstances, such as the design and components of the affected vehicles during that period. |
| Behaviour |
crash, omission, other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident in the articles is related to a crash. The article mentions that the airbag controller defect in the recalled vehicles may cause the computer to trigger airbags and tighteners unexpectedly, or it might not deploy them at all in the event of a crash, indicating a failure of the system to perform its intended functions [Article 48266].
(b) omission: The software failure incident also involves omission. The article states that the recalled vehicles' computer may not deploy airbags and tighteners at all in the event of a crash, indicating an omission of performing the intended functions [Article 48266].
(c) timing: The software failure incident does not specifically involve timing issues where the system performs its intended functions but at the wrong time.
(d) value: The software failure incident does not involve the system performing its intended functions incorrectly.
(e) byzantine: The software failure incident does not involve the system behaving erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions.
(f) other: The other behavior observed in the software failure incident is the unexpected triggering of airbags and tighteners by the computer in the recalled vehicles, which is not the intended behavior of the system [Article 48266]. |