The defect
DURING DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG, THE AIR BAG FABRIC CAN SNAG ON A REINFORCEMENT INSIDE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, CAUSING THE EXPANDING AIR BAG TO LIFT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PAD AND THEN DEPLOY UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INSTEAD OF THROUGH THE DOOR IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
The risk
IN A CRASH, THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER COULD RECEIVE MORE SEVERE INJURIES IF HE OR SHE CONTACTS A BROKEN REINFORCEMENT OR IF THE SNAGGING AFFECTS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PADS AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A PLASTIC EDGE PROTECTOR TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PAD REINFORCEMENT. ON CERTAIN EARLY-PRODUCTION VEHICLES, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PAD WILL BE REPLACED.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Buick Skylark | 1996 |
| Oldsmobile Achieva | 1996 |
Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buick Skylark | 1996 | 85 | 4 |
| Oldsmobile Achieva | 1996 | 87 | 4 |
Other air bags recalls in 1996
8 of the 297 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1996 concerned the air bags; GENERAL MOTORS CORP. filed 1,195 campaigns in all.
| 96V244000 5 Dec 1996 | LOTUS CARS OF AMERICA INC |
| 96V231000 12 Nov 1996 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 96V217000 4 Oct 1996 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 96V110000 1 Jul 1996 | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE |
| 96V107000 20 Jun 1996 | TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD. |
| 96V090000 3 Jun 1996 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 96V060000 8 Apr 1996 | CHRYSLER CORPORATION |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1996