The problem
On certain Mini vans, passenger and sport utility vehicles, some of these vehicles have a driver's side air bag that May not deploy as designed. In addition, the air bag inflator could rupture.
The risk
This could result in reduced capability of the air bag to protect the driver. Also if the air bag inflator ruptured, pieces of the inflator could strike and injure the vehicle occupants.
The fix
Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, install a new driver's air bag. Owner notification began on March 11, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, GMC at 1-800-462-8782, or Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 03V-051 (03V051000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 03008 |
| Manufacturer | General Motors, LLC |
| Component | Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module |
| Report date | February 14, 2003 |
| Owners notified | March 11, 2003 |
| Vehicles affected | 130 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the air bags
- 2003 Buick Rendezvous airbag problems 7
- 2003 Cadillac Deville airbag problems 25
- 2003 Chevrolet Impala airbag problems 39
- 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo airbag problems 11
- 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer airbag problems 57
- 2003 Chevrolet Venture airbag problems 17
- 2003 GMC Envoy airbag problems 37
- 2003 Pontiac Montana airbag problems 12
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 03V-051 repair free?
Yes. Buick dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, install a new driver's air bag. Owner notification began on March 11, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable…
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 130 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.