11 of the
518 complaints about the 1998 Buick Lesabre are about the
airbag system — 2% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
40,050 miles.
DT: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 60-75 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THERE WERE NO POTHOLES OR BUMPS IN THE ROAD THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO ENGAGE. AFTER THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED THE CAR WAS FILLED WITH BROWN SMOKE AND FIRE WAS COMING OUT OF BOTH AIR BAGS. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED THE DRIVER PUT OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG FLAME. THE DRIVER SIDE FLAME WENT OUT BY ITSELF. THERE WERE ONLY ONE INJURY. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED BRUISING TO THE LOWER PART OF THE STOMACH AND THE THIGHS. THERE WERE NO MARKS LEFT ON THE VEHICLE. DRIVER PUT THE AIR BAG BACK IN THE DRIVER AIR BAG COMPARTMENT AND DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE ONLY THING BURNT WAS THE AIR BAGS AND THAT WAS THE ONLY DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. MANUFACTURER SENT OUT AN INSPECTOR TO CHECK OUT THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND TAKE PICTURES. THE MANUFACTURER THEN REFERRED THE CONSUMER TO INSURANCE CARRIER. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT GM SHOULD HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE AIR BAGS. CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW WHY THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE BURNING. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED. CONSUMER HAS NO MAILING ADDRESS OR PHONE NUMBER FOR THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10127491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesLomira, WI
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AT 55 MPH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. VEHICLE WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10110940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesFoxworth, MS
AIR BAGS
INTERMITTENTLY THE HORN WOULD SOUND OFF AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT THE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE. THE HORN SOUNDED OFF TWENTY TIMES SINCE LAST JUNE.*AK
NHTSA complaint #10079382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dayton, OHCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 25-35 MPH CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #8015813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FLCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 50 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION I WHICH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #891293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Trophy Club, TX
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS DURING VEHICLE COLLISION UNTIL CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE TO REMOVE CHILD FROM REAR CAR SEAT, BODYSHOP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO OBTAIN A REPLACEMENT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. NLM
NHTSA complaint #556239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Taunton, MACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 45 -50 MPH HAD A FRONTAL IMPACT IN WHICH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND DID NOT PROTECT OCCUPANT IN THIS CRASH. NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #873877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waterville, ME
AIR BAGS
MY PROBLEM IS A REPLACEMENT ONE IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME TO COMPLET THE REPAIRS MADE TO MY CAR AFTER MY ACCIDENT ON 6/23/00 WHEN I STRUCK A DEER & THE AIR BAGS BOTH EMPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #9001453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charolotte, NCCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 40 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #847032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ardmore, PA
AIR BAGS
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND TRYING TO USE THE HORN, THE HORN DIDN'T MAKE ANY SOUND. CONSUMER CONSIDERED THIS TO BE A SAFETY DEFECT. THE DEALER REPLACED PARTS OF THE AIR BAG. THE CONSUMER VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP SIX TIMES AND THEY CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #831586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Longwood, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT TRAVELLING 15-20 MPH, FRONTAL IMPACT, AND NEITHER DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE TO VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #827607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.