Vehicle recall 96V211000 · October 28, 1996

Oldsmobile Achieva and Buick Skylark

During deployment of the passenger air bag, the air bag fabric can snag on a reinforcement inside the instrument panel, causing the expanding air bag to lift the instrument panel…

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Summary: During deployment of the passenger air bag, the air bag fabric can snag on a reinforcement inside the instrument panel, causing the expanding air bag to lift the instrument panel pad and then deploy under the instrument panel instead of through the door in the instrument panel.
Consequence: In a crash, the front seat passenger could receive more severe injuries if he or she contacts a broken reinforcement or if the snagging affects the deployment of the air bag.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the instrument panel pads and, if necessary, install a plastic edge protector to the instrument panel pad reinforcement. On certain early-production vehicles, the instrument panel pad will be replaced.
Notes: Owner notification:owner notification is expected to begin during November 1996. Note: 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 or Oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537.ALSO contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 96V211000
Reported to NHTSA: October 28, 1996
Filed by: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Owner notification: November 4, 1996
Vehicles potentially affected: 48,689
Initiated by: the manufacturer
Components: Air bags › Frontal

Recall 96V211000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

Buick Skylark (1996): 1996
Oldsmobile Achieva (1996): 1996

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