This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Safety risk
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR SUSPENSION KNUCKLE BOLTS THAT ARE NOT TO SPECIFICATION AND COULD FRACTURE UNDER HIGH LOADS THAT CAN OCCUR IN SOME DRIVING CONDITIONS.
Safety risk
IF THE BOLT FRACTURE, THE REAR SUSPENSION LINKAGE COULD DETACH FROM THE KNUCKLE AND THE REAR WHEEL WOULD BE ABLE TO TURN INBOARD OR OUTBOARD. SUDDEN CHANGES IN VEHICLE HANDLING COULD OCCUR, PARTICULARLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS, AND THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH REAR SUSPENSION KNUCKLE BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Electrical system
30
90,000 mi
Engine
10
110,000 mi
Exterior lighting
10
60,000 mi
Air bags
9
111,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline
9
108,180 mi
Steering
7
99,786 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)
5
45,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
4
110,810 mi
Unknown or other
4
83,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition
3
30,000 mi
Suspension
3
103,982 mi
Vehicle speed control
3
38,830 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls
3
75,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module
2
36,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal
2
59,000 mi
Interior lighting
2
56,492 mi
Latches/locks/linkages
2
30,000 mi
Seat belts
2
116,054 mi
Structure: body
2
36,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control
2
30,000 mi
Visibility/wiper
2
120,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module
1
—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
1
110,000 mi
Electrical system: horn
1
—
Electrical system: ignition: switch
1
115,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly
1
153,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring
1
43,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
1
49,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
1
54,000 mi
Structure
1
37,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields
1
88,000 mi
Visibility
1
82,000 mi
Visibility: windshield
1
49,000 mi
The 2004 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.