I WAS DRIVING DOWN HIWAY THE CAR DIED I TURNED IT TO THE RIGHT TO GET OFF THE HIWAY AND THE AIRBAG ON DRIVERS SIDE EXPLODED, I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND WAS TOLD THE PASS KEY SYSTEM OR THEFT SYSTEM WENT BAD IN IGNITION SWITCH AND NO EXPLANATION WHY AIR BAG WENT OFF? OR HOW TO FIX ANY OF IT, THIS IS NOW JULY AND I AM STILL HAVING PRO…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN HIWAY THE CAR DIED I TURNED IT TO THE RIGHT TO GET OFF THE HIWAY AND THE AIRBAG ON DRIVERS SIDE EXPLODED, I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND WAS TOLD THE PASS KEY SYSTEM OR THEFT SYSTEM WENT BAD IN IGNITION SWITCH AND NO EXPLANATION WHY AIR BAG WENT OFF? OR HOW TO FIX ANY OF IT, THIS IS NOW JULY AND I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS.
NHTSA ODI #11003734
140,400 miles · May 4, 2016
Air BagsInjury
AIR BAG WHEN OFF WHEN I WAS WAITING TO PULL AUT OFF PARKING LOT. HAVE INJURY TO MY SHOULDER.
NHTSA ODI #10863271
120,000 miles · May 14, 2014
Air BagsInjury
DRIVER AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10588301
190,000 miles · Apr 21, 2014
Air Bags
I WAS LEAVING MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, HAD JUST BACKED OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT AND PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE. STARTED MOVING FORWARD AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. NO BUMPS, NO CONTACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. JUST DEPLOYED. STEERING WHEEL PARTS HIT MY ARM, BRUISED IT PRETTY WELL. HAVE SINCE PURCHASED ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10583887
140,000 miles · Jun 19, 2013
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE SENSOR WAS DISCONNECTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE SENSOR WAS DISCONNECTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10520656
104,203 miles · Sep 17, 2012
Air BagsInjury
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE PARK, DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WENT OFF, BURST OF POWDER AND HORN BLOWING, SCRAPED RIGHT HAND. WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD AND UNDO FUSE TO HORN. FOUND OUT BY GOING ONLINE MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN IS THERE ANY RECOURSE TO THIS THAT I CAN FOLLOW UP ON? NOTE: IT SEEMS GMC HAS KNOWN ABOUT THI…
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WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE PARK, DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WENT OFF, BURST OF POWDER AND HORN BLOWING, SCRAPED RIGHT HAND. WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD AND UNDO FUSE TO HORN. FOUND OUT BY GOING ONLINE MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN IS THERE ANY RECOURSE TO THIS THAT I CAN FOLLOW UP ON? NOTE: IT SEEMS GMC HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS AND REALLY SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THESE VEHICLES OR TAKEN THEM OFF THE ROAD, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THESE BLOW WITHOUT CAUSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10475643
125,299 miles · Aug 27, 2012
Air BagsInjury
I HAD JUST TURNED MY CAR ON AND PUT IT IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. I ONLY MOVED ABOUT TWO INCHES BACKWARDS, NOT EVEN GOING OVER 5 MPH, WHEN THE AIR BAG RANDOMLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. IT HIT ME ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY HEAD/NECK, CHEST, AND ARM RESULTING IN CUTS, BURNS, AND BRUISES IN THOSE AREAS. MY LEFT EAR STAR…
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I HAD JUST TURNED MY CAR ON AND PUT IT IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. I ONLY MOVED ABOUT TWO INCHES BACKWARDS, NOT EVEN GOING OVER 5 MPH, WHEN THE AIR BAG RANDOMLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. IT HIT ME ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY HEAD/NECK, CHEST, AND ARM RESULTING IN CUTS, BURNS, AND BRUISES IN THOSE AREAS. MY LEFT EAR STARTED RINGING AND I MOMENTARILY LOST HEARING ON THAT SIDE. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING WITH MY VEHICLE NOR DID SOMETHING HIT ME. MY CAR DID NOT EVEN LEAVE THE PARKING SPOT BEFORE THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. AFTER I GAINED COMPOSURE AND REALIZED WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED, I MADE MY WAY OUT OF THE CAR AND A MAN WHO WITNESSED EVERYTHING WALKED ME TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT NEAR BY. MY CUTS WERE TENDED TO AND I WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE FOR FURTHER TREATMENT AND EXAMINING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472582
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2011
Air BagsFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THE AIR BAG WAS ON FIRE AND IGNITED THE JACKET THAT THE CONTACT WAS WEARING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THE AIR BAG WAS ON FIRE AND IGNITED THE JACKET THAT THE CONTACT WAS WEARING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TAPED THE AIR BAG INTO THE DASHBOARD IN ORDER FOR THE CONTACT TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10434127
146,242 miles · Mar 23, 2011
Air BagsInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG EXPLODED AND THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG EXPLODED. AFTER THE EXPLOSION THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME AND PARK THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG HIT HER IN THE CHEST BUT SHE DID NOT GO TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE W…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG EXPLODED AND THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG EXPLODED. AFTER THE EXPLOSION THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME AND PARK THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG HIT HER IN THE CHEST BUT SHE DID NOT GO TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, FOUND NO OTHER DAMAGE AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED HER $500 AS A BUY BACK FOR THE VEHICLE. COMPLAINT FILE#297715 WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,242.
NHTSA ODI #10392579
230,000 miles · Mar 21, 2011
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED BY A DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL BACK THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE VEHICEL WAS NOT R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED BY A DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CALL BACK THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE VEHICEL WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 230,000.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. 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 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THE INTERIOR LAMPS TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLES ARE BEING DRIVEN. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
THE STEERING COLUMN LOWER PINCH BOLT WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN UNDERTORQUED PINCH BOLT CAN RATTLE AND CAUSE LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING SYSTEM. IF THE PINCH BOLT BACKED OUT OF THE JOINT COMPLETELY, ROTATION OF THE STEERING SHAFT AGAINST THE CONNECTOR COULD CAUSE INCREASING LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING SYSTEM AND RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN PINCH BOLT FOR CORRECT TORQUE AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN THE BOLT TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE.
THE FRONT AND/OR REAR HAZARD WARNING LAMPS (FOUR-WAY FLASHERS) DO NOT FLASH WHEN THE HAZARD SWITCH IS ACTIVATED. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THESE LAMPS WERE NOT FLASHING, OTHER VEHICLES WOULD NOT BE AWARE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS STOPPED INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS OR VEHICLE OWNERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER FUNCTION OF THE HAZARD WARNING LAMPS. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD LAMP SWITCH.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
RQ03001 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Jan 2, 2003 · Closed Sep 15, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
RQ98013 · Oversensitive Air Bag Deployments
Opened Aug 26, 1998 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
ON JUNE 26, 1998, GENERAL MOTORS BEGAIN A SAFETY RECALL, 98V-146, TO RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM) IN THE 1996 AND SOME 1997 J BODY CARS, CAVALIER AND SUNFIRE.DUE TO CERTAIN CALIBRATIONS IN THE AIR BAG SDM, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN A LOW SPEED CRASH OR WHEN AN OBJECT STRIKES THE FLOOR PAN.THE RECALL POPULATION CONSISTS OF 675,302 VEHICLES BUILT FROM APRIL 1995 THROUGH MAY 1997.ODI HAS RECEIVED 8 OWNER REPORTS ALLEGING INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WITHOUT A CRASH.THE PURPOSER OF THE RQ IS TO DETERMINE WHETHER GM SHOULD EXPAND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE THESE VEHICLES.CLOSING RESUME NOTE:AS OF AUGUST 5, 1999, ODI RECEIVED ONE ADDITIONAL COMPLAINT REGARDING THE ALLEGED DEFECT.THE INCIDENT RATES FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ABOUT ONE-THRID OF THE RATES OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES (WHEN THE RECALL WAS INITIATED).BASED ON THE AVAILABLE INFORMATION, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOSE NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY FUTURE CIRCUMSTANCES.
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