Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Air Bags (56.5% of complaints) — is covered by 4 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Air Bags complaints here are 6.6× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 170 · 56.5% | Recalled | Recall 18V883000 · Recall 19V627000 · Recall 15V286000 · Recall 15V285000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 24 · 8% | Recalled | Recall 10V387000 |
| Electrical System | 13 · 4.3% | not available | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 13 · 4.3% | not available | — |
| Power Train | 13 · 4.3% | not available | — |
| Engine | 11 · 3.7% | Recalled | Recall 10V387000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 301 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 18V883000 · 2018 · reported 12/12/2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 19V627000 · 2019 · reported 08/28/2019
An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 15V286000 · 2015 · reported 05/13/2015
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 15V285000 · 2015 · reported 05/13/2015
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 10V387000 · 2010 · reported 08/26/2010
THERE ARE A VARIETY OF WARNINGS AND CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEFECT. THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP COULD BE ILLUMINATED, HARSH SHIFTING COULD RESULT, THE ENGINE MAY NOT START, OR THE ENGINE COULD SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V655000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE…”NHTSA complaint 10653419 — filed 11/07/2014 · AIR BAGS
“RECEIVED A LETTER VIA FEDEX FROM GM REGARDING AIR BAG RECALL 14735, ADVISES NO ONE SHOULD OCCUPY THE FRONT SEAT AND HAVE THIS REPAIR DONE…”NHTSA complaint 10649839 — filed 10/24/2014 · AIR BAGS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED AND…”NHTSA complaint 10605543 — filed 06/24/2014 · AIR BAGS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 170 of 301 NHTSA complaints (56.5%), followed by engine and engine cooling (24), electrical system (13), power train:automatic transmission (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
301 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 10 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V883000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
