GM Minivan Air Bags Investigated

WASHINGTON--A possible air bag defect in close to 500,000 minivans made by General Motors Corp. is being investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

NHTSA has received two complaints that the right-front passenger side air bag had torn during inflation in a 1998 Chevrolet Venture and a 1999 Pontiac Montana.

Investigators said a pillar-mounted door switch that operates the powered passenger-side sliding door appeared capable of tearing the side air bag as it inflated from the seat back.

NHTSA estimated that the problem could affect 490,000 vehicles, including 1998 and 1999 model years of the Oldsmobile Silhouette, Chevrolet Venture and the Pontiac Montana and Trans Sport.