Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
AIR BAGS
98V146000GENERAL MOTORS CORP.from 07/01/1996 to 05/31/1997V (Vehicle)67530208/11/1998ODIGENERAL MOTORS CORP.06/29/199806/30/1998
Defect SummaryVehicle description: passenger vehicles. because of certain calibrations in the air bag's sensing and diagnostic module, an inadvertent air bag deployment could occur in a low speed crash or when an object strikes the floor pan.
Consequence SummaryAir bags deploy with great force and can seriously injure unrestrained occupants who are too close to them.
Corrective SummaryDealers will recalibrate the air bag sensing and diagnostic module.
NotesOwner notification began during august 1998.owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1022 or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4326).

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
AIR BAGS
EA98001GENERAL MOTORS CORP.01/23/199807/31/1998OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS98V146000
 Alleged that the dual air bags can deploy without a vehicle crash or from a minor undercarriage impact.

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
AIR BAGS
06/20/200660000102/20/1999
 Tl*the contact owns a 1997 pontiac sunfire. after it rained for approximately 3-4 days, the contact noticed standing water in the front and rear passenger side of the vehicle. she started the vehicle and noticed that all of the instrument panel lights were illuminated. after several days of allowing the vehicle to dry out, every instrument panel light, with the exception of the air bag light, dimmed. the dealer stated that they would not inspect the vehicle for less than $350. the contact no longer drives the vehicle because she fears for her life due to the defect. the vehicle has not been repaired. the failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 70,000. updated 09/13/08. *lj updated 09/16/08 *jb
02/19/2006125500112/15/1998
 I was driving down the road, and the passenger air bag deployed without impact of any kind, or warning. *nm
02/03/2001
 While driving and making a right hand turn consumer says may have hit a small pot hole, and both drivers and passenger side airbags deployed. please provide any further information. mr
12/01/1999
 I am looking to see if these recalls had been fixed by the previous owner. no sfety defec tlisted. *ak
07/01/1998106/01/1998
 No deployment of air bag during front end collison, injury from incident. nlm
07/29/1998112/01/1996
 Daphne ferguson, driver sustained injury to right (dominant) hand when driver's side airbag deployed during accident
1
 Difficulty in receiving recall work on the air bag, due to dealer location/proximity.
 Received recall notice (#98v146000), air bag. took vehicle to dealer. mechanic refused to do work according to recall. no explanation given. *ak
111/01/1997
 False deployment of airbag, no accident.
AIR BAGS - FRONTAL
04/29/200511000101/01/1998
 The air bag inadvertently deployed while the consumer was driving 5 mph.
01/01/20041
 1997 pontiac sunfire air bag deployment.*mr while driving the vehicle was involved in an accident. the vehicle was hit on the rear passenger side door. the front air bag deployed upon impact. the consumer was under the impression that the frontal air bags were only supposed to deploy during frontal collisions. *nm
12/02/20031
 Both frontal air bags deployed while consumer was driving at 35 mph. *ak
02/01/2001
 Consumer states that while making a right turn, vehicle may have hit a very small pot hole, suddenly both the drivers and passenger side airbags deployed. please provide any further information. mr
 As a result of hitting a deer at 55 mph air bags did not deploy at any time. please provide further information. dealership has been contacted.ak
01/28/2001112/01/1997
 Consumer was traveling in a very bad snow storm at approximate speed of 40mph and coming down an incline. trying to avoid hitting another vehicle, consumer crashed into a brick wall. driver's airbag didn't deploy. car was totalled. seat belt was being worn at the time. consumer suffered chest injuries. no response from pontiac, they were collecting information.*ak
04/08/2000
 Consumer was traveling at 40mph and another vehicle crossed in front of consumer. consumer hit other vehicle. upon impact, airbags didn't deploy. dealer will be contacted. *ak
01/06/2000110/31/1997
 While daugther was driving about 30 mph she hit a guardrail and vehicle rolled over. upon impact, air bags did not deploy, and vehicle was totaled. *ak
01/15/1999
 While driving on ice about 40-45 mph, brakes applied, hitting a patch of ice. lost control of vehicle, hit a metal medium head-on. neither air bag deployed in accident. dealer contacted and cannot remedy problem. vehicle was totalled. problem still exists. provide further information. *ak
12/28/1997010/29/1997
 Involved in a front end collision at 5 mph both airbags deployed and busted windshield, and it hit driver's face and chest. *ak
08/25/1998
 While making a sudden stop the air bag deployed without indications. please provide further information. *ak
08/15/1998
 Consumer contacted the dealer in reference to recall 98v146000. made an appointment, took the vehicle in on scheduled appointment, and the dealer, states no parts were available. dealer has no information on recall . please provide any further details. *ak
07/19/1998
 While driving vehicle was rearended into the center median, and the airbags did not deploy. the manufacturer has been notified. *ak
 Vehicle struck another vehicle in the rear at 3 mph, causing both driver's and passenger's side airbags to deploy. also, the force of airbag deploying caused driver to strike rear of vehicle twice. cause unknown. *ak
04/18/19981
 While driving the passenger's side air bag deployed for no apparent reason. please provide any details. *ak
02/02/1997
 Ea98-007; while at a red light for 2 minutes, put the vehicle in 1st gear and for no apparent reason the driver's and passenger's air bags deployed, causing an accident. manufacturer stated that airbag sensor and the accident caused the airbags to deploy. *ak
12/26/1997
 During impact at 5 to 10 mph, the driver's and passenger's side air bags deployed, causing driver to sustain burns to the skin, and passenger sustained a broken arm. *ak
01/19/19970
 Consumer had head on collision and air bags did not fully inflate, causing consumer to hit the steering wheel with chest. *ak