1997 Pontiac Sunfire air bags problems

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE. AFTER IT RAINED FOR APPROXIMATELY 3-4 DAYS, THE CONTACT NOTICED STANDING WATER IN THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO DRY OUT, EVERY INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE AIR BAG LIGHT, DIMMED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN $350. THE CONTACT NO LONGER DRIVES THE VEHICLE BECAUSE SHE FEARS FOR HER LIFE DUE TO THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 09/13/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/16/08 *JB”

“1997 PONTIAC SUNFIRE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE CONSUMER WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS WERE ONLY SUPPOSED TO DEPLOY DURING FRONTAL COLLISIONS. *NM”

“WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN CONSUMER SAYS MAY HAVE HIT A SMALL POT HOLE, AND BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR”

“CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, VEHICLE MAY HAVE HIT A VERY SMALL POT HOLE, SUDDENLY BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR”

“THE MFG. WILL NOT FIX THE AIR BAG OR SEAT BELT DASH WARNING LIGHTS AT NO COST .I PAID $40 TO HAVE THEM CHECKED AND THEY WANT $500+ TO INSTAL A NEW COMPONENT EVEN THOUGH THE BAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED . AFTER SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS THEY ARE WILLING TO GO 50%. I DON'T AGREE TO PAYING ANY$ FOR THIS BECAUSE IT HAS NEVER BEEN USED AND THEY MUST HAVE A DEFECT ! PLEASE HELP AND RESPOND VIA EMAIL IF POSSIBLE. I HAVE NAMES AND RECORDS ETC. ALSO HAVE GM 5 YR. 60000 WARRANTY EXPIRES 9-20-02. *AK”

“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING IN A VERY BAD SNOW STORM AT APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 40MPH AND COMING DOWN AN INCLINE. TRYING TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE, CONSUMER CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. DRIVER'S AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. CAR WAS TOTALLED. SEAT BELT WAS BEING WORN AT THE TIME. CONSUMER SUFFERED CHEST INJURIES. NO RESPONSE FROM PONTIAC, THEY WERE COLLECTING INFORMATION.*AK”