An auto safety watchdog group has requested a federal probe into whether General Motors needs to recall 2003-2010 model-year Chevrolet Impala sedans because of a potential defect that might affect air bag deployment, reports Reuters.

The Center for Auto Safety said it sent a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, alleging that a faulty algorithm in these Impalas might deactivate an air bag after an occupant is bounced in the seat just before a collision. GM this year has recalled 2.6 million cars for faulty ignition switches that can cause air bags to deactivate improperly.

The Center for Auto Safety told Reuters that air bag failure during front-impact collisions in 2000-2010 Chevrolet Impalas has been linked to 143 fatalities. In 98 of those crashes, occupants were wearing seatbelts, the group said.

The Center for Auto Safety is based in Washington, D.C.