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Campaign 15V285 Posted May 13, 2015 1,973,468 units

2002-2007 Pontiac Vibe Recall 15V285: Air Bag

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published June 1, 2026

Recall 15V285 covers 1,973,468 2002-2007 Pontiac Vibe, Sc, Sequoia, Tundra, Corolla, Corolla Matrix vehicles for passenger air bag inflators. Free dealer repair.

Pontiac is included in recall 15V285 for 1,973,468 2002-2007 vehicles, including the Vibe, because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can rupture during deployment. Metal fragments can strike occupants and result in serious injury or death; the dealer repair will be free once available.

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What's wrong?

The passenger-side frontal air bag inflator is the metal canister inside the air bag module that fills the bag during a crash. In the 2002-2007 Pontiac Vibe, Sc, Sequoia, Tundra, Corolla, and Corolla Matrix vehicles covered by recall 15V285, that inflator is tied to the passenger front air bag, the bag meant to cushion the front passenger during a frontal impact.

The defect is inside the inflator. When the air bag deploys, the inflator produces gas under pressure. In affected vehicles, excessive internal pressure can build during deployment and rupture the inflator instead of filling the air bag in a controlled way. The recall also covers replacement passenger air bags installed as service parts after a prior repair or crash.

There is no warning sign before failure. The inflator problem is only exposed when the passenger front air bag deploys, so an owner should not expect a light, sound, smell, or change in driving feel before the defect matters.

Who's affected?

The listed models span passenger cars, a coupe, SUVs, and trucks across the 2002 through 2007 model years, all tied to the air bag system.

2003 Pontiac Vibe air bag system
2004 Pontiac Vibe air bag system
2005 Pontiac Vibe air bag system
2005 Lexus Sc air bag system
2002 Toyota Sequoia air bag system
Units affected1,973,468

A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.

What's the safety risk?

In a crash that deploys the passenger frontal air bag, the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin. That creates a risk of serious injury or death to vehicle occupants. There is no warning sign before failure, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the recall work. Repair will be free at any franchised Pontiac dealer once available.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2002-2007 Pontiac Vibe, Sc, Sequoia, Tundra, Corolla, or Corolla Matrix is included in this recall.
  2. Use the owner notice mailed after July 13, 2015 to confirm the repair instructions before scheduling service.
  3. Contact a franchised Pontiac dealer to ask about the free front passenger air bag replacement that fixes the rupture-prone inflator.
  4. Reference recall number 15V285 when you call the dealer.
  5. Avoid seating anyone in the front passenger seat until the air bag repair is complete.

What happens at the repair

For included Vibe vehicles under the Do Not Drive advisory, do not drive until the recall remedy is complete. At the dealer, a Pontiac technician replaces the front passenger air bag covered by campaign 15V285. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. The manufacturer used its standard reimbursement plan, so eligible out-of-pocket repairs paid before the recall notice are handled through that plan. Bring documentation for any related air bag repair to the service desk.

ReimbursementReimbursement available

Timeline

May 13, 2015 NHTSA published the recall
July 13, 2015 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 15V285?

Recall 15V285 covers 1,973,468 2002-2007 Pontiac Vibe, Sc, Sequoia, Tundra, Corolla, and Corolla Matrix vehicles with a passenger frontal air bag inflator defect. In a crash with air bag deployment, the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments toward occupants.

What should I do if my 2002-2007 Pontiac Vibe, Sc, Sequoia, Tundra, Corolla, or Corolla Matrix is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 15V285. If it is, contact a franchised Pontiac dealer and ask for the front passenger air bag replacement. Reference recall number 15V285 when you call. The repair is free.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost. For recall 15V285, the dealer replaces the front passenger air bag free of charge, including parts and labor.

What is the safety risk?

The safety risk is metal-fragment injury during a crash. If the passenger frontal air bag deploys, excessive internal pressure can rupture the inflator and send metal fragments into the cabin, creating a serious injury or death risk.

What if I bought this vehicle used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the current owner or where the vehicle was bought. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Pontiac dealer with recall number 15V285 if your vehicle is included.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V285000
Pontiac customer service1-800-331-4331
NHTSA recall #15V285
NHTSA recall # (full)15V285000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 1, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →