The defect
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 PONTIAC G8 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 2, 2007 THROUGH JANUARY 22, 2009. A 5TH PERCENTILE FEMALE ANTHROPOMORPHIC TEST DEVICE (ATD) IN A 30 MPH FRONTAL BARRIER TEST EXCEEDED THE HEAD INJURY CRITERIA (HIC) REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT POSITIONED FULL FORWARD, THE SEAT POSITION SENSOR WILL CAUSE A 30 MILLISECONDS DEPLOYMENT DELAY BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND STAGES OF THE DUAL-STAGE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG.
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THIS DELAY MAY RESULT IN INCREASED HEAD INJURY TO CERTAIN FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS.
The remedy
GM DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Pontiac G8 | 2008, 2009 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pontiac G8 | 2008 | 71 | 4 |
| Pontiac G8 | 2009 | 144 | 4 |
Other air bags recalls in 2011
13 of the 597 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2011 concerned the air bags; GENERAL MOTORS LLC filed 28 campaigns in all.
| 11V580000 6 Dec 2011 | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC |
| 11V543000 8 Nov 2011 | GENERAL MOTORS LLC |
| 11V528000 2 Nov 2011 | CHRYSLER GROUP LLC |
| 11V472000 9 Sept 2011 | HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY |
| 11V473000 7 Sept 2011 | KIA MOTORS CORPORATION |
| 11V408000 9 Aug 2011 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 11V321000 13 Jun 2011 | SPARTAN CHASSIS, INC. |
| 11V308000 3 Jun 2011 | GENERAL MOTORS LLC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2011