GM Models Recalled

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in February 2001 and urged consumers to have the problems fixed promptly. The list identifies the make and model of the vehicle or equipment involved, with a brief description of the safety problem. NHTSA said it is publicizing the recalls to alert consumers about safety problems and encourages them to take action. Under federal law, safety problems must be remedied without cost to consumers. Currently, 72 percent of the owners of vehicles with safety problems have the recall work performed. NHTSA said manufacturers are required to mail a recall notice to all purchasers, owners and dealers when a safety defect or noncompliance with federal safety standards is found. The agency urges owners to wait until they receive notification from the manufacturer before contacting their dealers to schedule the repair work. Not all vehicles of a particular make and model may be subject to the recall. Consumers can get up-to-the-minute information on safety recall campaigns, or information on the recall history of a particular make and model of car, truck, motorcycle, or child safety seat, by calling the agency toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236), or by accessing NHTSA on the Internet at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov.. The Hotline also can be used to report safety problems.

General Motors Corporation

Models:

Chevrolet Lumina Year: 2001 Chevrolet Venture Year: 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix Year: 2001 Pontiac Montana Year: 2001 Saturn L-Series Year: 2001

Number Involved: 16

Dates of Manufacture: January - December 2000

Defect: These passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and minivans have passenger air bag inflator modules that were built without the correct amount of generant, which produces the gas that fills the air bag. Some were built with a double load of generant and some were built without generant. In the event of a crash that would trigger a passenger air bag deployment, a double load of generant can cause the inflator module to explode. If the air bag module explodes, metal and plastic debris could cause severe injury to vehicle occupants. A module with no generant would not inflate the air bag, and the occupant could receive more severe injuries. Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began during February 2001. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. [NHTSA Recall No. 01V026/GM Recall No. 01004]