This vehicle was in an accident in december of 2009. It was totaled. I broke my sternum because the airbag did not deploy properly. This was before the recall. It was on black ice and I hit the meridian strip twice and spun out, did not hit any other vehicles. It is too late now to do anything, but I wanted to stop getting recall notices. Thank you
2003 Pontiac Vibe: airbags did not deploy in a crash
13 of the 298 complaints about the 2003 Pontiac Vibe describe airbags did not deploy in a crash.
- owner complaints
- 13
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 64,678
- recalls
- 6
Is there a fix? There are 6 recalls and 26 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Airbags did not deploy in a crash by model year
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac vibe. While driving and making a right turn, the air bags deployed without warning or impact. The air bags did not inflate. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing, but the details could not be provided. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v043000 (air bags), but the vehicle was not repaired prior to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 pontiac vibe. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle and the air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.
My 2003 pontiac vibe received over $10000 in damages and was judged totaled due to a collision with a lincoln towncar on july 13, 2014. The lincoln struck the front of my car at an angle while making a left turn into my path from oncoming traffic. I was traveling approximately 40-45 MPH and had little time to react and brake prior to the impact. The impact drove the front bumper into the radiator and the radiator into the engine doing a considerable amount of damage under the hood. There was no obvious physical damage to the passenger compartment but my concern is that the air bags did not deploy to prevent me from being injured. The police officer responding to the incident also indicated surprise that the air bags would not deploy in this type of accident. There had been prior recalls on my vehicle that were air bag related and I had responded to all of them by taking the car in for servicing.
I was in a accident on 11/29/2013 on crow canyon, san ramon, ca and the individual in front of me slammed on her brakes so I in turn did the same and my vehicle hit the vehicle in front of me and totaled my front end. The airbags did not deploy and my body slammed into the steering wheel which in turn hurt my chest. The san ramon p.d was shocked that the airbags did not deploy. I received a recall notice on 1/2012 stating the parts were defective. Never was resolved by gmc/pontiac. Had I not been wearing my seat belt I would have gone thru windshield. The airbags should have deployed. The gmc people should have resolved the problem about the airbags. This is just not correct. Someone should be held accountable for the defect. Updated 12/18/13
I was in an accident on 11/29/2013 on crow canyon, san ramon, ca and the individual in front of me slammed on there brakes and in turn I did the same and my vehicle hit the vehicle in front of me and totaled my front end. The airbags did not deploy and my body slammed into the steering wheel which in turn hurt my chest badly. The san ramion pd was shocked that the airbags did not deploy. I rec'd a recall notice on 1/2012 stating the parts were defective. Never was resolved by the gmc pontiac. Thank goodness I was wearing my seatbelt or I have gone thru the wind shield. The airbags should have deployed. The gmc corporation should have resolved the problem long ago and did not. This is not correct. I believe they should be held accountable for the defect of airbags for not resolving the airbags long ago.
Had a drunk driver hit me head-on (he may have been doing 40mph..) I was doing maybe 25mph down a major blvd. The airbags did not deploy. Drunk was arrested at the scene. Both cars totaled. His airbag went off.
I was driving north on a state route when I was hit broadside by a ford explorer. My car rolled over before flipping end-over-end into a culvert. No airbags deployed.
19 jan 2009, 2003 pontiac vibe was involved in a front end collision with another vehicle crossing a intersection. Air bags failed to deploy upon impact. Vehicle was towed to a salvage yard. While removing the contents, I was able to take a look at the front end, one air bag (rh) sensor was completely missed and the left sensor (lh) was unable to be seen, but the location of the (lh) sensor appeared to take a direct hit. Three people were in the vibe.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving around a corner the vehicle collided with another vehicle which resulted in a frontal impact. The driver's side air bag did not deploy. Also, the driver's side seat belt did not restrain the occupant. Injuries were sustained. The vehicle was not inspected to determine why the air bag failed to deploy. The manufacturer has been informed. There are police reports.
While crossing an intersection consumer's vehicle was involved in a head on collision. Upon impact, dual air bags did not deploy. No injuries reported. *ak the consuemr was involved in two other accidents in which the air bags did not deploy.
While driving 55 MPH consumer's vehicle was involved in a head on collision. Upon impact, dual air bags did not deploy. As result driver and passenger sustained minor neck and shoulder injuries.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This service bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Courtesy Transportation Reimbursement Program
- This service bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Completion Rate Improvement Program
- This informational bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Completion Rate Improvement Program
- This informational bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Completion Rate Improvement Program
- This informational bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Completion Rate Improvement Program
- This informational bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Completion Rate Improvement Program
- On August 5, 2015, all GM dealers were notified that the vehicle population involved in Safety Recall...
- Summary to be provided on a future date.
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. The replacement air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation in high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.
- Risk
- An air bag that does not inflate properly increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the passenger air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2020. Owners may contact Pontiac customer service at 1‑800‑762‑2737. GM's number for this recall is N192278940.
Recall number 20V039000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, or replace the air bag assembly that includes an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑888‑270‑9371, Lexus customer service at 1‑800‑255‑3987 or Pontiac customer service at 1‑800‑762‑2737. Toyota's numbers for these recalls are J0A (Zone A Toyota), J0B (Zone B Toyota), J0C (Zone C Toyota), JLI (Zone A Lexus), JLJ (Zone B Lexus), and JLK (Zone C Lexus). Note: This recall includes vehicles that have had their air bag previously replaced under an earlier air bag campaign.
Recall number 18V883000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March 18, 2003, to August 25, 2004. On June 16, 2015, Toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 Sequoia, 2005-2006 Tundra, 2003-2007 Corolla, 2003-2007 Corolla Matrix, 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe and 2002-2007 Lexus SC vehicles. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V‑043 and 15V‑285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag. The recall began on July 13, 2015. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Pontiac owners may call 1‑800‑762‑2737. NOTE: This recall supersedes recall 14V‑312 in its entirety.
Recall number 15V285000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa. On June 16, 2015 Toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model year 2002-2004 Lexus SC, Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix, Toyota Corolla, Pontiac Vibe, and Toyota Tundra vehicles, as well the vehicles covered by the May 13, 2015 notification in the portions of Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas that were not previously included. The inflators in the front passenger air bags are susceptible to rupture in the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the front passenger air bag.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V‑043 and 15V‑286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. Toyota began the recall on July 13, 2015. Pontiac Vibe owners may contact GM at 1‑800‑762‑2737. GM began the recall on June 29, 2015. NOTE: This recacll supersedes recall 14V‑655 in its entirety. For vehicles located in the U.S. states not listed above, please see Toyota recall 15V‑285 which covers all other U.S. states.
Recall number 15V286000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured December 28, 2001, to May 2, 2004, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2002, to April 29, 2004, 2003-2004 Avalon vehicles manufactured June 5, 2002, to December 20, 2004, and 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured January 18, 2002, to April 27, 2004. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
- Risk
- Inadvertent deployment of the air bags or the seat belt pretensioners increases the risk of an injury or crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began on August 24, 2015. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑800‑331‑4331. GM issued an interim notification to owners on March 27, 2015. The recall began on August 24, 2015. Pontiac owners may call 1‑800‑620‑7668. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 13V‑029 and 14V‑147. Vehicles that had a noise filter installed as the remedy for one of those campaigns need to have the air bag control module replaced under this campaign.
Recall number 15V043000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles and 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The supplemental restraint system (SRS) circuits are susceptible to internal shorting. The electrical short may create an abnormal current flow and increased heat which can damage the circuits. This could result in an inadvertent deployment of the front airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
- Risk
- Inadvertent deployment of the airbags or the seat belt pretensioners may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Toyota will re-notify their owners who have already had their vehicles repaired with a noise filter, but did not receive a new airbag control module, and General Motors will re-notify theirs. Dealers previously installed a supplemental harness containing an electrical filter between the airbag control module and its wire harness, free of charge. Dealers will replace the airbag control module, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. The manufacturer has not yet provided a schedule for second notices. For more information, Toyota owners may call 1‑800‑331‑4331 and Pontiac owners may call 1‑800‑620‑7668.
Recall number 13V029000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2003 Pontiac Vibe no deployment
Is airbags did not deploy in a crash a common problem on the 2003 Pontiac Vibe?
13 of 298 owner complaints about the 2003 Pontiac Vibe (4%) mention airbags did not deploy in a crash. The model year with the most reports is 2003.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 Pontiac Vibe?
There are 6 recalls and 26 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2003 Pontiac Vibe
Headlights 14Power windows 14Airbag light 11Grinding brakes 9Transmission failure 8Slipping 6Sudden acceleration 5
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