Investigations
Passenger Sensing System Sensor Mat
NHTSA Defect Petition DP16001 — closed, opened 2016-05-16 and involving the PONTIAC SOLSTICE.
NHTSA investigation DP16001 is a Defect Petition opened on 2016-05-16 and currently closed. The subject of record is PONTIAC SOLSTICE, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for PONTIAC. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2017-04-24 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Defect Petition like DP16001 starts when a person or group formally asks NHTSA to investigate a specific alleged defect. Petitioners submit evidence, NHTSA reviews it within 120 days, and either grants the petition (opening a PE) or denies it with a written explanation in the Federal Register.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition requesting the opening of an investigation into the air bag system on model year 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky, the subject vehicles. Th..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related PONTIAC files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition requesting the opening of an investigation into the air bag system on model year 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky, the subject vehicles. The petitioner raised the issue of failure of the Passenger Sensing System for the front passenger seating position. On January 26, 2017, General Motors filed a defect information report recalling the subject vehicles to address the issue raised by the petition. In view of the recall, ODI considers the petition moot and is closing the action. The closing of the petition does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.
About This Investigation Type
A Defect Petition (DP) is initiated when an individual or organization formally petitions NHTSA to investigate a potential safety defect. NHTSA reviews the petition and decides whether to open an investigation.
Other PONTIAC Investigations
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Power Window Master Switch Fire
Engine Stall
CTS Corp Accelerator Pedal Assemblies
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.