GM Recall 18015

Vehicles Affected

2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe

Issue

Front passenger air bag inflator.

Previously, you may have been notified that your 2003-2007 model year Pontiac Vibe was involved in GM recall 14491, 14735, or 15406. Even if your vehicle received the repair, you must return to the dealership to have the front passenger air bag inflator replaced. The initial repair involved the use of temporary parts because re-designed permanent replacement parts were not yet available. The permanent replacement parts are now available and it is very important that you have your vehicle updated as soon as possible.

The Pontiac Vibe was manufactured by New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI), a joint venture between Toyota and GM. Toyota has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists ni certain 2003- 2007 model year Pontiac Vibe vehicles not currently registered and, have never been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Guam, Puerto Rico, Saipan, U.S. Samoa or U.S. Virgin Islands. As a result, GM is conducting a safety recall.

Why is your vehicle being recalled?

Your vehicle is equipped with front passenger airbag inflators produced by Takata. The propellant in these inflators may degrade after prolonged exposure to high absolute humidity and fluctuating high-temperatures. Degraded propellant can cause inflator rupture during airbag deployment. In the event of an inflator rupture, metal fragments could pass through the airbag cushion material, striking the vehicle occupants, and result in serious injury or death.

Why am I receiving another recall notice if I already had the recalled inflator replaced?

These vehicles were previously recalled for this condition. At that time, the only inflator available for use as a replacement was a new one of the same design (a “like for like” replacement). The replacement inflator now in your vehicle can still degrade over time as noted above and must be replaced.

What will we do?

We will replace your vehicle’s front passenger air bag module with a new airbag module that is of a different design and was not manufactured by Takata. This service wil be performed for you at no charge. Because of service scheduling requirements, it is likely that we will need your vehicle longer than the actual service correction time of approximately one hour.

What should you do?

You should contact us to arrange a service appointment as soon as possible. Until the repair is performed, the front passenger seat should NOT be occupied.