The driver's side airbag is the defective component on the affected vehicles.

A software upgrade has since been offered to the affected vehicles in an attempt to repair the problem.

If a recall occurs, General Motors will have to repair all affected vehicles, not just those with known problems.

Most affected vehicles have not been sold.

This includes all affected vehicles that are registered in Northern Ireland.

Ford said owners of affected vehicles would be notified by mail immediately.

Toyota never issued a recall for any of the affected vehicles.

Owners of the affected vehicles will be able to have the retractor mechanisms replaced at Chevrolet dealers without charge.

There has been one reported case of abnormal noises in the affected vehicles.

A spokesman for Chrysler described the defect as "minor" today and said "95 percent of the affected vehicles have been taken care of."