Investigations
DRIVER AIR BAG MALFUNCTION
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE01002 — closed, opened 2001-01-10 and involving the PONTIAC GRAND PRIX.
NHTSA investigation PE01002 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2001-01-10 and currently closed. The subject of record is PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for PONTIAC. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2001-06-11 — 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 Preliminary Evaluation like PE01002 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "ODI IS AWARE OF ONE REPORTED INCIDENT OF A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG INFLATOR SEPARATION IN A MODEL YEAR 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. AN INVESTIGATION OF THE INCIDENT REVEALED THAT A TWO-INCH, DISK-SHAPED FRAGMENT OF THE ALUMINUM..." 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
ODI IS AWARE OF ONE REPORTED INCIDENT OF A DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG INFLATOR SEPARATION IN A MODEL YEAR 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. AN INVESTIGATION OF THE INCIDENT REVEALED THAT A TWO-INCH, DISK-SHAPED FRAGMENT OF THE ALUMINUM INFLATOR ASSEMBLY RUPTURED THE AIR BAG, BROKE OFF PORTIONS OF THE AIR GAB COVER FLAPS, AND STRUCK THE DRIVER. ALSO, EVIDENCE SHOWED HOT COMBUSTION GASES/PARTICULATE ESCAPED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NUMEROUS INJURIES FROM THE INFLATOR FRAGEMENT AND HOT GASES/PARTICULATE. A TEARDOWN OF THE FAILED INFLATOR DID NOT REVEAL ANY OBSERVABLE DEFECTS OR ROOT CAUSE OF FAILURE. GM AND ITS SUPPLIERS (DELPHI AND BREAD) ARE CURRENTLY WORKING TOGETHER TO DETERMINE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE SINGLE REPORTED FAILURE AND THE SCOPE OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM CONDITION IN THE FIELD. FINALLY, GM HAS STATED THAT MODEL YEAR 1998-2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES AND MODEL YEAR 1998-2001 PONTIAC MONTANA VEHICLES HAVE IDENTICAL DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG INFLATORS. THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS WILL COVER THESE MODEL/MODEL YEAR VEHICLES.
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Other PONTIAC Investigations
HVAC Blower Motor Connector
Passenger Sensing System Sensor Mat
Brake Light Malfunction
Power Window Master Switch Fire
Engine Stall
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.