NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
27 reportsClear category filter151,474 miles · Feb 3, 2016
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,474.
NHTSA ODI #10823959
110,000 miles · Nov 18, 2014
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE IMPACT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE IMPACT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 1/28/15*CN UPDATED 9/6/2017*CN
NHTSA ODI #10658926
91,500 miles · Sep 15, 2011
Air Bags
I LEFT MY HOUSE ON 9/10/2011 AND WENT TO GAS STATION. AFTER FUELING UP I NOTICED THAT MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. I DID NOT PULL OVER BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A SENSOR PROBLEM AND I HAD NEVER HEARD OF ANYONE HAVING TO PULL OVER FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT. I PROCEEDED TO THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN I REACHED 57 MPH I PUT ON MY CRUISE CONT…
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I LEFT MY HOUSE ON 9/10/2011 AND WENT TO GAS STATION. AFTER FUELING UP I NOTICED THAT MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. I DID NOT PULL OVER BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A SENSOR PROBLEM AND I HAD NEVER HEARD OF ANYONE HAVING TO PULL OVER FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT. I PROCEEDED TO THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN I REACHED 57 MPH I PUT ON MY CRUISE CONTROL. IN ABOUT 2 MINUTES BOTH OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND MY VISIBILITY WAS 0%. IF I HAD NOT HAD BOTH OF MY FRONT WINDOWS DOWN, THE POWDER THAT ENGULFED MY CAR COULD HAVE SUFFOCATED ME. I AM ON BREATHING MEDICINE FOR COPD. ALTHOUGH MY CAR IS UP THERE IN YEARS IT IS NOT UP THERE IN MILEAGE. I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM SOMEONE 4 YEARS AGO, WHO ONLY USED THE CAR ON SPECIAL OCCASIONS. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR IT HAD 58,000 MILES ON IT AND ONLY HAS 91,500 TODAY. THIS WHOLE PROCESS TOOK ABOUT 15 MINUTES FROM START TO FINISH.
NHTSA ODI #10426111
91,500 miles · Sep 13, 2011
Air Bags
I LEFT MY HOUSE & STOPPED FOR GAS. AFTER GETTING GAS I NOTICED MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. I DID NOT PULL OVER THINKING IT WAS A SENSOR PROBLEM. I PROCEEDED TO THE HIGHWAY & WHEN I REACHED 57MPH I PUT ON MY CRUISE CONTROL. IN ABOUT 2 MINUTES MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED & MY ABILITY TO SEE WAS 0%. THE ENTIRE INCIDENT TOOK ABOUT 15 MINUT…
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I LEFT MY HOUSE & STOPPED FOR GAS. AFTER GETTING GAS I NOTICED MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. I DID NOT PULL OVER THINKING IT WAS A SENSOR PROBLEM. I PROCEEDED TO THE HIGHWAY & WHEN I REACHED 57MPH I PUT ON MY CRUISE CONTROL. IN ABOUT 2 MINUTES MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED & MY ABILITY TO SEE WAS 0%. THE ENTIRE INCIDENT TOOK ABOUT 15 MINUTES FROM HOUSE TO DEPLOYMENT. THE POWDER/SMOKE ENGULFED MY CAR. IF I HAD NOT HAD BOTH MY FRONT WINDOWS DOWN I THINK I COULD HAVE SUFFOCATED. I AM CURRENTLY ON BREATHING MEDS FOR COPD. THE VEHICLE IS OLD IN YEARS BUT NOT IN MILEAGE. I BOUGHT IT FROM SOMEONE THAT ONLY USED THE CAR FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS, 4 YRS AGO, IT HAD 58,000 MILES ON IT. IT RUNS GREAT BUT NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10425167
130,000 miles · May 31, 2011
Air BagsInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN 15 MPH WHEN THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INVOLUNTARILY. ONE OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE DEPLOYMENT. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INSPECTOR TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN 15 MPH WHEN THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INVOLUNTARILY. ONE OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE DEPLOYMENT. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN INSPECTOR TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT WATER HAD ENTERED THE AIR BAG MODULE AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. DUE TO THE WATER DAMAGE, THE AIR BAG MODULE WAS CORRODED AND CAUSED THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #10403842
99,999 miles · Dec 23, 2010
Air BagsInjury
MY SON WAS AT A STOP SIGN IN HIS 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE, JUST AS HIS WAS GETTING READY TO PROCEED, BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, HE HADN'T EVEN PUT HIS FOOT ON THE GAS, INSURANCE APPRAISER, APPRAISED THE DAMAGE IN EXCESS OF $2000 AND COME TO FIND OUT THEY WON'T COVER IT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CAR …
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MY SON WAS AT A STOP SIGN IN HIS 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE, JUST AS HIS WAS GETTING READY TO PROCEED, BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, HE HADN'T EVEN PUT HIS FOOT ON THE GAS, INSURANCE APPRAISER, APPRAISED THE DAMAGE IN EXCESS OF $2000 AND COME TO FIND OUT THEY WON'T COVER IT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE CAR WASN'T IN AN ACCIDENT, THEY SAY IT'S A MANUFACTURERS ISSUE, HE RECEIVED A MINOR BURN ON HIS ARM FROM THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING. *LN
NHTSA ODI #10372273
200,000 miles · May 12, 2009
Air Bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE AIR BAG EXPLODED AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CALLED AND THEY DECLARED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE AIR BAG EXPLODED AND SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CALLED AND THEY DECLARED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA ODI #10268518
Mileage unknown · May 31, 2008
Air BagsInjury
I WAS DRIVING HOME ONE NIGHT AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, AND ABOUT TEN SECONDS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. I HAD HIT NOTHING, AND WAS DRIVING ON A NEWLY PAVED ROAD. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND IN THE PROCESS BROKE THE WINDSHIELD AND THE DASH. PONTIAC HAS BEEN CALLED AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME IN TWO D…
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I WAS DRIVING HOME ONE NIGHT AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, AND ABOUT TEN SECONDS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. I HAD HIT NOTHING, AND WAS DRIVING ON A NEWLY PAVED ROAD. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND IN THE PROCESS BROKE THE WINDSHIELD AND THE DASH. PONTIAC HAS BEEN CALLED AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME IN TWO DAYS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10229417
Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2007
Air BagsInjury
THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND ABOUT AN HOUR LATER WE WERE DRIVING ABOUT 10 MILES AN HOUR AND THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON, NO IMPACT OF ANY KIND. THE DRIVER BROKE 2 OF HER TEETH, DRIVER AND PASSENGER GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO LET THE SMOKE FROM THE AIRBAG CLEAR AND ASSESS THE DAMAGE OF THE TEETH AND ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER …
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THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND ABOUT AN HOUR LATER WE WERE DRIVING ABOUT 10 MILES AN HOUR AND THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON, NO IMPACT OF ANY KIND. THE DRIVER BROKE 2 OF HER TEETH, DRIVER AND PASSENGER GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO LET THE SMOKE FROM THE AIRBAG CLEAR AND ASSESS THE DAMAGE OF THE TEETH AND ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND NOBODY WAS IN EVEN IN THE CAR, THAT DEPLOYMENT DESTROYED THE DASH AND WINDSHIELD. WE CALLED PONTIAC ON MONDAY OCT. 22 THEY SAID SOMEONE WOULD CALL BACK WITHIN A DAY OR TWO AND THEY DID CALL BACK THIS MORNING OCT. 24TH BUT SHE JUST ASKED ALL THE SAME QUESTIONS THEY ASKED ON MONDAY AND SAID IT WOULD TAKE 7-10 DAYS TO GET BACK TO US. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10206781
118,000 miles · May 23, 2007
Air BagsInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BURN ON HER FOREARM. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BURN ON HER FOREARM. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PONTIAC DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSORS CORRODED. THE DEALER HAS NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER MADE AN OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 118,000.
NHTSA ODI #10191578
NHTSA investigations
2EA02030 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 9, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
PE02050 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jun 13, 2002 · Closed Oct 22, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
No summary supplied.