VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED BY 92 ASTRO VAN, EST SPEED 30-40 MPH. AT TIME OF COLLISION, OUR VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE OTHER DRIVER DIDN'T APPLY THEIR BRAKES AT ANYTIME BEFORE OR AFTER COLLISION. RESULTING IN VEHICLE BEING TOTALLED WITH AN ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR OVER $6300. OUR AIRBAGS WERE REPLACED DUE TO RECALL BY JET CHEV LA…
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VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED BY 92 ASTRO VAN, EST SPEED 30-40 MPH. AT TIME OF COLLISION, OUR VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE OTHER DRIVER DIDN'T APPLY THEIR BRAKES AT ANYTIME BEFORE OR AFTER COLLISION. RESULTING IN VEHICLE BEING TOTALLED WITH AN ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR OVER $6300. OUR AIRBAGS WERE REPLACED DUE TO RECALL BY JET CHEV LAST SPRING/SUMMER. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN THIS ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #702048
Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 1999
Air Bags
HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN CANADA, ON 23 NOV 98, RECALL 98V146000. A WEEK AFTER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. AIR BAG DEPLOYED, OBSCURING VISION. DID NOT HIT VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALER. WAS REFUSED REPAIRS DUE TO MINOR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. DEALER SENDING COMPUTER P…
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HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN CANADA, ON 23 NOV 98, RECALL 98V146000. A WEEK AFTER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. AIR BAG DEPLOYED, OBSCURING VISION. DID NOT HIT VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALER. WAS REFUSED REPAIRS DUE TO MINOR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. DEALER SENDING COMPUTER PART TO CANADA TO BE ANALYZED SINCE VEHICLE WAS REGISTERED IN THE BEGINNING IN CANADA & THEN IN USA. *AK
NHTSA ODI #833100
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 1998
Air Bags
AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITH NO WARNING OR WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #830170
Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 1998
Air BagsCrash
CONSUMER HAD HEAD-ON ACCIDENT AT 55MPH. HIT A DEER, DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #829963
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 1998
Air BagsCrashInjury
HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#98V146000) IN THE MAIL. CALLED DEALER. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. PICKED UP VEHICLE 10/5/98. WAS DRIVING AWAY FROM STOP LIGHT AND REARENDED VEHICLE IN FRONT, AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. RECALL REMEDY FAILED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #829343
Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 1998
Air BagsInjury
VEHICLE WENT OVER SMALL POT HOLE CAUSING FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG RESULTING IN CUT OVER CONSUMER'S EYE AND LOSS OF VISION, OTHER PASSENGER RECEIVED CUTS ON HANDS AND FACE.
NHTSA ODI #541035
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 1998
Air Bags
VEHICLE'S AIR BAGS MALFUNCTIONED ON TWO OCCASIONS, ONE INCIDENT DURING COLLISION NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG AND THE OTHER INCIDENT FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG WHICH DAMAGED VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #543016
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 1998
Air Bags
FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG CAUSED DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #540064
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1998
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT A POLICE CRUISER HIT THE VEHICLE HEAD-ON, CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY, HITTING THE CONSUMER ON HER CHEST. CONSUMER'S SON WAS IN THE BOOSTER SEAT WITH HIS SAFELTY BELT ON, BOOSTER SEAT EJECTED THE CONSUMER'S SON AND MADE HIM FLY TOWARD THE FRONT SEAT AND THE PASSAGER'S SEAT, CAUSING THE PASSAGER…
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WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT A POLICE CRUISER HIT THE VEHICLE HEAD-ON, CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY, HITTING THE CONSUMER ON HER CHEST. CONSUMER'S SON WAS IN THE BOOSTER SEAT WITH HIS SAFELTY BELT ON, BOOSTER SEAT EJECTED THE CONSUMER'S SON AND MADE HIM FLY TOWARD THE FRONT SEAT AND THE PASSAGER'S SEAT, CAUSING THE PASSAGER'S AIR BAG TO STRIKE BOTH CONSUMER AND SON ON THEIR FACES AND INJURING THEM. BOTH OF THEM HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #827699
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 1998
Air BagsCrashInjury
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO A TREE AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER CONSUMER WAS PULLED FROM VEHICLE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. 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, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
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. 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 & remedy
Consequence: AIR BAGS DEPLOY WITH GREAT FORCE AND CAN SERIOUSLY INJURE UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANTS WHO ARE TOO CLOSE TO THEM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH MIS-LOCATED WELDS AT THE JOINT BETWEEN THE LEFT ROCKER PANEL INNER REINFORCEMENT AND THE BODY SIDE RING. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 214, "SIDE DOOR STRENGTH."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SHEET METAL STRUCTURE WOULD NOT PERFORM AS DESIRED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WELDS AND, IF NECESSARY, PLACE FIVE WELDS BETWEEN THE INVOLVED PANELS AND APPLY PRIMER AND TOPCOAT FINISH MATERIALS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLIES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH INCORRECT RIMS. IF THE SPARE TIRE IS UNDERINFLATED, THE BEAD CAN SEPARATE FROM THE RIM CAUSING A RAPID LOSS OF AIR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A RAPID LOSS OF AIR CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIM ON THE COMPACT SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY. OWNERS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO USE THE SPARE TIRE UNTIL THE RIM HAS BEEN REPLACED.
THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY (17" LONG INSTEAD OF 22" LONG) ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 104, "WINDSHIELD WIPING AND WASHING SYSTEMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE AREA AND PATTERN WIPED ON THE WINDSHIELD WILL BE REDUCED AND COULD AFFECT THE DRIVER'S VIEW IN WET WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE CORRECT WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A CORRECT LENGTH WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY.
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
4
DP03007 · Unintended Vehicle Acceleration
Opened Oct 14, 2003 · Closed Jan 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Other:delivery
ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2003, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) RECEIVED A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 8, 2003 FROM MR. DONALD FRIEDMAN, PETITIONING THE AGENCY TO OPEN A DEFECT INVESTIGATION INTO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INVOLVING [MODEL YEAR] 1996 AND 1997 GENERAL MOTORS J-CARS.IN SUPPORT OF HIS PETITION, MR. FRIEDMAN CITED A REPORT HE RECEIVED FOR GM SHOWING IT HAD RECEIVED FAR MORE REPORTS OF ALLEGED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FOR THESE MODELS THAN FOR OTHERS.AFTER ASSESSING THE DATA CLAIMED BY THE PETITIONER TO JUSTIFY HIS REQUEST, ODI FOUND NO INDICATION THAT DEFECT TREND RELATED TO THE PETITIONER'S ALLEGATIONS EXISTS AT THIS TIME.THEREFORE, THERE IS NO REASONABLE POSIBILITY THAT AN ORDER CONCERNING THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT WOULD BE ISSUED AS A RESULT OF GRANTING MR. FRIEDMAN'S PETITION.CONSEQUENTLY, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS ANALYSIS, PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE.
PE02001 · Fire In Steering Column Area
Opened Jan 3, 2002 · Closed Mar 15, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
No summary supplied.
EA98001 · Oversensitive Air Bag Deployments
Opened Jan 23, 1998 · Closed Jul 31, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
There is no summary currently available
PE97041 · Inadvertent Air Bag Deployments
Opened Sep 9, 1997 · Closed Jan 23, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
There is no summary currently available
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