This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Pontiac Grand Prix airbags problems
critical 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
5crashes
6injuries
2fatalities
What stands out
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗AIRBAG READINESS LIGHT ON WITH DTC B0081 OR B0092 SET IN PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM (PPS) SDM.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles report four distinct air bag system failures. The most serious: complete non-deployment during high-speed collisions. One owner crashed at 35 mph into another vehicle, then a tree, and flipped—air bags did not deploy and the driver suffered a broken arm. Another owner's vehicle was rear-ended at 80 mph, rolled, and struck a tree; the front passenger was killed, and the driver had fractured ribs—no air bags deployed. A third crash at 30 mph in rain resulted in delayed or incomplete deployment, and the owner sustained major injuries to the neck, back, and abdomen.
Second failure: delayed deployment. One owner's passenger-side bag deployed 15 minutes after a 40 mph rear-end crash, with no one in the seat; it damaged the dashboard and windshield.
Third: erratic warning lamps. Multiple owners report the passenger air bag light flickering on and off at random, remaining on when an adult is seated, or failing to light when needed—one light dims only in cold weather. Dealers have tried replacing sensors and repairing loose wires without stopping the problem.
Fourth: intermittent electrical faults. One owner's air bags deactivated unexpectedly because a loose soda bottle unplugged the system; after repair, it happened again.
Same Pontiac Grand Prix airbags reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Complete air bag non-deployment in frontal/rollover crashes
Air bags failed to deploy during high-impact collisions, including head-on and rear-impact crashes at highway speeds. In one case (narrative #3), front passenger was killed when air bags did not deploy after a rear-impact rollover at 80 mph. In another (narrative #1), air bags failed to deploy during a 35 mph crash into another vehicle followed by a tree impact and rollover, resulting in broken arm. Narrative #10 describes a vehicle rollover with multiple impacts where driver was ejected; no air bag deployment mentioned.
When: At impact during crashes; mileage varies from 138,000 to 256,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No air bag deployment during frontal collisions; No air bag deployment during rollover events; Seat belts also failed (snapped) in at least one high-impact rollover
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; vehicles were totaled or deemed inoperable
Delayed or incomplete air bag deployment
Air bag deployed late or partially during crashes, failing to provide intended protection. Narrative #5 reports passenger-side air bag deploying 15 minutes after a 40 mph rear-end collision with no occupant in seat; it then damaged the dashboard and windshield. Narrative #2 describes driver-side air bag deploying during a 30 mph collision in rain but appearing not to fully deploy; owner suspected incorrect bag size. Owner suffered major injuries to neck, back, and abdomen.
When: During crashes at 30–40 mph; failure mileage 1,600 and 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Delayed air bag deployment (15 minutes post-crash); Partial or incomplete air bag inflation; Airbag deployed when no passenger present
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed; vehicles were salvaged or destroyed
Erratic or persistent air bag warning lamp malfunction
Air bag warning light illuminates and extinguishes randomly or fails to light when it should, creating confusion about air bag status. Narrative #4 reports passenger air bag light indicating 'off' with adult passenger present; light toggles on/off randomly when passenger shifts position. Narrative #6 documents front passenger-side air bag indicator flickering whether seat occupied or not, along with illuminated seat belt and driver-side air bag warning lights. Narrative #11 reports air bag light going on and off; dealer visited twice without resolution. Narrative #7 describes air bag light not illuminating when 105 lb passenger in front seat, only dimly lit in cold conditions; dealer replaced sensor, failure recurred.
When: Ongoing during vehicle operation; failures at 50,000–80,000 miles and beyond
Symptoms owners cite: Air bag warning light flickers on and off randomly; Light remains illuminated when seat occupied; Light does not illuminate when seat occupied; Behavior worsens in cold conditions; Passenger bouncing in seat triggers light changes
Codes mentioned: Air bag code (narrative #9, unspecified)
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #7: loose wire repaired at one dealer, sensor replaced at another dealer—failure recurred in cold. Narratives #4, #6, #11: no successful repairs documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #8: manufacturer made aware of air bag failure
Air bag system electrical or sensor fault (intermittent connection)
Electrical faults in the air bag control circuit or seat occupancy sensors causing system malfunction. Narrative #8 documents air bag deactivation traced to a loose soda bottle unplugging the air bag circuit; vehicle was repaired but failure recurred. Narrative #7 involved a loose wire and defective seat occupancy sensor, both replaced without lasting fix. These suggest intermittent connection problems or sensor sensitivity issues.
When: Intermittent; mileage 80–126,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Air bags deactivate without warning; Loose electrical connections (soda bottle, wire); Faulty seat occupancy sensor; System reactivates unpredictably
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #8: loose connection repaired, failure recurred. Narrative #7: loose wire repaired and sensor replaced; issue persisted in cold conditions
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #8: manufacturer notified
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Pontiac wont start, changed starter, saw recall for ignition switch. Rack & pinion leak, cover gasket leak, saw recall. Air bag code came up.
Had airbags trouble with your 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix?
It's a serious issue. 11 complaints have been filed, including 5 reports involving a crash and 2 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 60,000 and 126,000 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,000; a quarter make it past 126,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Pontiac/Grand Prix.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.