On october 18, 2005 while driving at 30 MPH in fair weather, the driver's side airbag unexpectedly deployed, though no contact was made with any other vehicle or stationary object. The airbag deployment caused extreme irritation via friction burn to right forearm of driver, temporary hearing distress to driver and passenger and near loss of control of vehicle due to shock of this deployment. Investigation of similar incidents shows that likely cause is short in airbag control module under passenger seat due to presence of water on the floor of the vehicle. Water on floor has been a perennial problem in my vehicle and many attempts to ascertain the cause (attribute to leaky molding, poor fitting window trim, etc.), were unsuccessful. Perusal of similar complaints on this website show a clear pattern of similar events attributable to a manufacturer's defect (per tech issue memo issued by gm in 1998) related to inferior adhesive used during assembly of top vent grille. Excessive rain typically results in water on floor of passenger compartment and has caused this same unexpected deployment of both driver and passenger side airbags in several complaints. Likelihood of gm accepting responsibility for this defect and repairing the problem is apparently slim (per other complainants reports) due to age of vehicle and the fact that it has taken years to present itself, meaning no recall was issued by pontiac. I would recommend all owners of this vehicle who experience this water problem report it their gm dealership prior to experiencing the airbag deployment, as it could have had much more serious consequences if traveling at higher speeds in less than ideal conditions!!!
1996 Pontiac Grand Am airbags complaints
Page 3 of 5: complaints 41 to 70 of 104, newest first, as owners wrote them.
A tech issue memo issued from pontiac/gm dated april, 1998 stated that owners may claim water leaking into the front passenger compartment of the car due to an inferior adhesive used during the manufacturing process on the top vent grille... Was given to me by my mechanic, after I disvoered water leakage on my passenger area floor for 2 years (which I attributed to my negligence only) until this water leakage finally caused a short in my air bag module (located under the front passenger seat) which caused all of the other car electrical systems to short out. Seal to the top vent grille was replaced, short repaired, airbag module was disconnected and the battery was replaced. The airbag module will be replaced at a later date when I can afford it. This totals $956.99 (including ny sales tax) which I requested pontiac reimburse me for. They steadfastedly refuse to reimburse me due to basically 4 things: (1) the warranty time expired on the car, (2) the age of the car, (3) the fact that I didn't bring it directly to pontiac to fix it (4) the fact that it wasn't a recall... My arguement is: (1) the warranty expiring shouldn't absolve gm/pontiac of responsibility of the defect, (2) the normal wear and tear on this car (in spite of it's age) wouldn't have produced this water damage if the top vent grille was properly sealed in the manufacturing process by pontiac in the first place (3) I didn't know that pontiac caused this problem until after the damage was done and my mechanic told me about the tech issue memo (I have a copy) and (4) why wasn't this a recall? I sent a letter to pontiac's customer assistance center in detroit, mi on or about june 27, 2005 with all relevant documentation backing up my claim (yours for the asking), who called me back today, refusing to reimburse me on this claim. I know that negligence by pontiac caused some major damage to my car of which I believe I should be reimbursed for.
Dt: contact stated while driving vehicle the driver's side air bag deployed. Contact did not hit anything in the road, there was no collision.*ak consumer states lawyers, insurance company, or gm will not help with this matter because there was not an accident or any injuries.*sb
After starting the vehicle while parked in the driveway driver's frontal air bag deployed inadvertently. Dealer and manufacturer were notified.
After starting the vehicle driver's air bag deployed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
I was driving on the expressway at 70 MPH and without warning, my driverside airbag deployed. I was in shock and had temporary hearing loss. Both of my lips were bloodied, I was burned on my neck and I still have ocassional ringing in my ears. I don't know how, but when my line of vision was clear, I saw I had maintained the position in my lane and continued traveling. Then, a few minutes later, my passenger- side airbag deployed without warning. Thankfully, my girlfriend was sleeping in the backseat. Again I had temporary hearing loss, but kept driving until I got to my home. I contacted general motors dealership, but they did not feel they could help since they had not heard of this problem. There were a series of phone calls between general motors, my dad and me. Out of the blue in one conversation, general motors asked if I had water on my floorboard and when I said that I did, they said the airbags probably deployed because of this and it was my fault for not getting that fixed. When my dad asked what that had to do with the airbags and if they were aware that this was a problem, they said it was a routine question. Subsequently, a general motors dealership has concluded that water under the passenger seat cause the computer module to corrode. They are willing to replace the airbags and the computer, but not fix they water problem that they indicated may have caused this. We have discussed this problem with independent mechanics and have since received technical bulletins stating that the water problem is inherent to this vehicle.
On wenesday december 15 at approximentally 7:20 p.m. I went out to my boyfriend, scott fuller's car to roll up a window that was down. As I placed the key in the ignition, and turned 1 click, the air bag spontaneously deployed in my face. I have a cut in the middle of my throat, and I bit through my lip on the right side, I have bruising on the left side of my chest and I can barely hear in me left ear. His windows are electric that is why I needed to put the key in the ignition. He has a 1996 pontiac grand am gt, VIN # 2nw12m6tc813666, car mileage:142,441and his insurance company is aa&j insurance company 109 e. Main st. Gouverneur n.y. 13642 policy # 17772843-1.
Upon starting the vehicle air bags deployed. While consumer was backing out of the driveway the air bags deployed. Contacted the mechanic. *ak
While consumer was parking the vehicle passenger's side air bag deployed. Consumer claimed that the vehicle never collided with anything nor ran over anything. The next day consumer took vehicle to dealer for the first air bag deployment when driver's side air bag deployed. The consumer suffered a split lip and abrasions on the arms.
Air bag went off by starting my car in the drive way.gm said they can not help because the car is out of warranty.
While driving 70 MPH driver side air bag deployed inadvertently. No injuries reported.
Air bag deployed when starting the vehicle. I leaned in to start my 96 pontiac grand am and when I turned the ignition the air bag deployed injuring my chest and neck. Gm takes no responsibility as they say it is a maintenance issue due to standing water around the deployment module. *jb *sc
While sitting at a red light passenger's side air bag deployed. Also, while turning into a parking lot driver's side air bag deployed. Vehicle was filled with co2.
To avoid hitting another vehicle head on driver veered off the road and ran into a telephone pole. Upon impact, front air bags did not deploy. Driver's head cracked the windshield, causing the driver to be unconscious for about 45 minutes. Also, driver's teeth hit the steering wheel and cracked. In addition, driver's right arm, right knee, and neck were injured. Once driver regained consciousness he drove to the emergency room because no one stopped to help.
While driving 35 MPH both frontal air bags deployed inadvertently. The cause has yet to be determined. *nm there was a 15 second delay between the first and second air bag deployment. The driver and passenger received minor abrasions from the air bags.
When the brakes were applied at 25 MPH to make a turn, the driver's frontal air bag inadvertently deployed. Please describe any further details.
My driver side and passenger side airbags deployed while I was driving eastbound on rt. 251 without cause. Fortunately, I was by myself and was able to pull off onto the side of the road. Luckily, I sustained minor abrasions on the left side of my face. My insurance company would not pay for repairs, due to electrical short.
The front air bags deployed without impact.
The front air bag deployed without impact.
When a turn was made, the front air bag inadvertently deployed.
The air bags deployed without impact. *jb the consumer was driving the vehicle when the driver side airbag deployed. The dealer had given the consumer the run-around, while the air bag(s) still hasn't been replaced. Scc
While driving/ exiting driveway, dual air bags deployed with cause unknown. Owner indicated that vehicle didn't hit any foreign objects or bumps in the driveway. Please describe details.
My husbandis driving and I am in the passenger seat driving down a dirt road at 30mph. We know you cant go fast on dirt roads so we are being precautious.all of the sudden the passenger side airbag deploys striking me in the face. The vehicle comes to a stop and we rush to the emergency room via a friend. I was injured. My neck was severely swelled and bruised as well as not being able to hear because of damage to the ear drum. The shock of the whole thing had my husband and I both shaken up. Who knows what would have happened if this was the driver airbag instead of the passenger side. We are lucky but not happy.my husband and I feel very unsafe driving this vehicle.
Consumer states vehicle was involved in rollover accident and neither air bags deployed. Dealer notified.
Vehicle was going 5mph when suddenly air bag deployed with no impact to vehicle. Passenger's air bag deployed a few seconds later then driver's air bag. Dealer and manufacturer will be notified. Please provide more information.
While pulling out of the parking lot driver's front air bag deployed without cause. Dealer and manufacturer were not notified at this time. Feel free to provide any further information.
While leaving a parking space air bag deployed by itself. Vehicle was not in a crash. Dealer contacted.
I was drivingon a paved road when my drivers side airbag deployed. The road was smooth and I didn't hit anything.a friend cut the air bag out and we took it to dealer were I purchased car. They said to take it to a pontiac dealer. I ask if the other airbag would go off they said maybe. While backing into driveway the passenger side went off. Took it to brown pontiac and they ran a check to get codes ,they found no codes. Called pontiac with info. And I have a file #06730530. A represtitive is suppose to call back its been 4 days, nothing . I was just glad there wasn't an accident. Can't get car fixed untill inspector from gm comes out in 4 weeks to 2 months. Can you help?
While pulling out of parking lot and to avoid hitting another vehicle after making a sharp right turn, vehicle hit into front of a parked car, and none of airbags deployed.
While driving 55 MPH and without collision occurring driver's and passenger's air bags deployed, cause unknown. Please give any further details.
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