The defect
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." IN THESE VEHICLES, THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS BUILT WITH A PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM. WHEN TESTED WITH A REPRESENTATIVE UNRESTRAINED SMALL ADULT, THE SYSTEM IS REQUIRED TO TURN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER'S FRONTAL AIRBAG ON. AN ERROR IN THE SEAT SENSOR CALIBRATION CAN CAUSE IT TO FAIL THIS TEST. IN ADDITION, THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT THE AIRBAG FROM TURNING OFF WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY A SMALL CHILD.
The risk
WHENEVER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED, THE DRIVER SHOULD ALWAYS CHECK THE AIRBAG INDICATOR TO SEE IF THE AIRBAG IS ON OR OFF. IF IT IS NOT CORRECT FOR THE SITUATION, THE PASSENGER SHOULD BE MOVED TO A DIFFERENT SEAT. THIS CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A SEAT OCCUPANT DURING CERTAIN CRASH CONDITIONS.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SEAT'S ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet Equinox | 2007 |
| Pontiac Torrent | 2007 |
Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Equinox | 2007 | 685 | 4 |
| Pontiac Torrent | 2007 | 243 | 4 |
Other air bags recalls in 2007
15 of the 587 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2007 concerned the air bags; GENERAL MOTORS CORP. filed 1,195 campaigns in all.
| 07V550000 4 Dec 2007 | MASERATI NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 07V549000 3 Dec 2007 | HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) |
| 07V541000 21 Nov 2007 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 07V520000 7 Nov 2007 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 07V500000 26 Oct 2007 | VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. |
| 07V240000 13 Jun 2007 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 07V246000 7 Jun 2007 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER MANUFACTURING INTL |
| 07V197000 8 May 2007 | HYUNDAI CARIBBEAN-PUERTO RICO |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2007