Recall 18V883 covers 168,993 2002-2007 Pontiac-listed vehicles for exploding passenger air bag inflators. Repair is free at a franchised Pontiac dealer.
Pontiac recall 18V883 covers 168,993 2002-2007 Vibe, Sc, Sequoia, Corolla, and Tundra vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can explode after propellant degradation. In a crash, sharp metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death; Pontiac dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag inflator is the metal canister inside the passenger air bag module. In a crash that deploys the passenger frontal air bag, the inflator burns propellant to create gas and fill the air bag before the passenger moves forward.
On these 2002-2007 Vibe, Sc, Sequoia, Corolla, and Tundra vehicles, the recalled inflator was installed as a like-for-like replacement under an earlier recall. The inflator uses Takata SPI, PSPI, or PSPI-L propellant without a drying agent. As that propellant degrades, the inflator can rupture during deployment instead of sending controlled gas into the air bag.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem shows up only when the passenger frontal air bag deploys in a crash, so the VIN check and free dealer repair are the practical way to confirm and fix it.
Who's affected?
Spans Vibe, Sc, Sequoia, Corolla, and Tundra model lines across 2002-2007, all tied to the passenger-side front air bag inflator module.
| 2003 Pontiac Vibe | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2004 Pontiac Vibe | front air bag |
| 2005 Pontiac Vibe | front air bag |
| 2005 Lexus Sc | front air bag |
| 2002 Toyota Sequoia | front air bag |
| 2006 Pontiac Vibe | front air bag |
| 2002 Lexus Sc | front air bag |
| 2003 Lexus Sc | front air bag |
| 2004 Lexus Sc | front air bag |
| 2003 Toyota Corolla | front air bag |
| 2004 Toyota Corolla | front air bag |
| 2005 Toyota Corolla | front air bag |
| 2003 Toyota Sequoia | front air bag |
| 2004 Toyota Sequoia | front air bag |
| 2005 Toyota Sequoia | front air bag |
| 2003 Toyota Tundra | front air bag |
| 2004 Toyota Tundra | front air bag |
| 2005 Toyota Tundra | front air bag |
| 2007 Pontiac Vibe | front air bag |
| Units affected | 168,993 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, striking the driver or other occupants and causing serious injury or death. Schedule the air bag repair soon, and ask the dealer whether your VIN already shows the completed remedy if this vehicle had earlier air bag work. Repair is free at any franchised Pontiac dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2002-2007 Vibe, Sc, Sequoia, Corolla, or Tundra is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Pontiac dealer to schedule the free passenger air bag inflator or air bag assembly replacement.
- Bring the recall notice if one was mailed, and reference recall number 18V883 when you call.
- Avoid using the front passenger seat until the repair is complete, since the passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode during deployment.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Pontiac technician replaces the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, or replaces the passenger air bag assembly with one that includes an alternate inflator. The exact repair depends on the covered model. Parts and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid for a related passenger air bag inflator or air bag assembly repair before the recall notice, Pontiac's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring repair paperwork to the service desk when you arrive.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 12, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 12, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| December 12, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 14, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 14, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| January 23, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V883?
Recall 18V883 covers 168,993 2002-2007 Pontiac vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can explode during deployment. Sharp metal fragments can strike occupants, causing serious injury or death. Pontiac dealers will replace the affected inflator or air bag assembly for free.
What should I do if my 2002-2007 Pontiac Vibe is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V883. If it is, contact a franchised Pontiac dealer to schedule the passenger air bag inflator or air bag assembly replacement. Reference recall number 18V883 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 18V883, the dealer will replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the air bag assembly with an alternate inflator free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an inflator explosion during a crash that deploys the passenger frontal air bag. Sharp metal fragments can strike the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or death. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer repair.
What if I bought this Pontiac Vibe used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Pontiac Vibe is included, then call a franchised Pontiac dealer with recall number 18V883.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V883000 |
|---|---|
| Pontiac customer service | 1-888-270-9371 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V883 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V883000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →