Product Safety Recall-Drivers Air Bag Inflator Overpressure

THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES RECALL BULLETIN 01052A ISSUED JANUARY, 2002. THE VEHICLE POPULATION HAS BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE 187 ADDITIONAL 1999 GRAND PRIX MODEL VEHICLES. A GM ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE WAS SENT TO DEALERS TO INFORM THEM OF THIS REVISION.

Caution: FOR VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS recall, DO NOT FOLLOW THE NORMAL PROCEDURE OF DEPLOYING REPLACED AIR BAG MODULES. DEPLOYMENT OF AN AIR BAG MODULE REPLACED UNDER THIS recall COULD CAUSE THE INFLATOR MODULE TO EXPLODE, AND COULD RESULT IN SEVERE INJURY FROM METAL AND PLASTIC DEBRIS.

General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix and Montana/Trans Sport model vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator in these vehicles could produce excessive internal pressure. In the event of a crash that would trigger a driver's air bag deployment, the increased pressure can cause the inflator to explode. If an air bag inflator explodes, metal and plastic debris could cause severe injury to vehicle occupants.

Dealers are to replace the driver's air bag module. Dealers are to provide or arrange for towing and comparable courtesy transportation.

Involved are certain 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix and Montana/Trans Sport model vehicles built within these VIN breakpoints:

Important: Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through GMVIS (GM Vehicle Inquiry System) or GM Access Screen (Canada only) before beginning recall repairs. [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.]

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers with the recall bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with customers involved in this recall. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the recall bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.

These dealer listings may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this recall.

Important: Due to the small number of vehicles involved and limited initial parts availability, place orders per the following:

Steering Wheel Air Bag Module Replacement (Applies to both Grand Prix and Montana/Trans Sport, except where noted)

For additional information, refer to the SIR subsection of the Restraints section of the appropriate Service Manual.

Important: The service procedure contained in this recall is different from the service procedure found in the appropriate Service Manual. As a result, the labor time allowance has been revised to correspond with this new service procedure. In the near future, the Service Manual and Labor Time Guide will be updated with this new information.

1. Open the instrument panel storage (glove) compartment door (Grand Prix). Open the right front door and remove the fuse panel cover (Montana/Trans Sport).
2. Remove the cover to the right of the compartment to access the fuse panel (Grand Prix).
3. Remove the 15A SIR fuse. Refer to the fuse label on the side of the removed cover to determine the location of the SIR fuse.

Important: To access the retainers in the next step, it will be necessary to rotate or turn the steering wheel.

4. Using a flat-bladed screwdriver or J 44298-A (driver air bag remover), release the four spring retainers that attach the air bag module to the steering wheel.
5. Remove the air bag from the steering wheel.
6. Disconnect the electrical connector for the horn at the steering wheel.
7. Remove the connector position assurance (CPA) and disconnect the yellow SIR electrical connector at the rear of the air bag module.
8. Connect the yellow SIR electrical connector to the rear of the NEW air bag module and install the CPA.
9. Connect the electrical connector for the horn at the steering wheel.
10. Position and press the air bag module to the steering wheel until the four retainers lock into place.
11. Install the SIR fuse.
12. Install the cover over the fuse panel.
13. Close the instrument panel storage compartment door (Grand Prix).
14. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position and verify that the AIR BAG indicator lamp flashes seven times and goes out. Also, verify horn operation.
15. Install the GM Recall Identification Label.

Caution: Do NOT deploy the old inflator module. See CAUTION statement on page 1 of this recall bulletin.

16. Place the old inflator module in the box that the new module came in using the included packing material. Tape the box shut and mark the outside of the box as follows:

"DO NOT DEPLOY"

"SEE recall # 01052A FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION"

To arrange for return of inflator modules removed from vehicles involved in this recall ONLY contact Delphi Interiors via telephone at (937) 356-2354. A Delphi representative will make arrangements to pick up and safety dispose of the modules. Removed modules should be stored in an area with limited access.

FOR US

Place a recall Identification Label on each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Recall Bulletin. Each label provides a space to include the recall number and the five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the recall service. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or a ball point pen.

Put the Recall Identification Label on a clean and dry surface of the radiator core support in an area that will be visible to people servicing the vehicle. When installing the Recall Identification Label, be sure to pull the tab to allow the adhesion of the clear protective covering. Additional Recall Identification Labels for US dealers can be obtained from Dealer Support Material by calling 1-888-549-6152 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST). Ask for Item Number S-1015 when ordering.

FOR CANADA

Place a Recall Identification Label on each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Recall Bulletin. Each label provides a space to include the recall number and the five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the recall service. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or a ball point pen.

Put the Recall Identification Label on a clean and dry surface of the radiator core support in an area that will be visible to people servicing the vehicle. Additional Recall Identification Labels for Canadian dealers can be obtained from DGN by calling 1-800-668-5539 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST). Ask for Item Number GMP 91 when ordering.

Submit a Product recall Claim with the information indicated below:

Refer to the General Motors WINS Claims Processing Manual for details on Product Recall Claim Submission.

Customers will be notified of this recall on their vehicles by General Motors (see copy of customer letter included with this bulletin).

Important: The Pontiac Customer Assistance Center will be contacting owners the additional 1999 Pontiac Montana/Trans Sport vehicles via telephone advising them to park (do not drive) their vehicles. Owners will be advised that they will be contacted promptly by their dealers regarding the next steps involving their vehicles. Dealers are directed to immediately follow up with owners to arrange for towing the vehicle (do not drive the vehicle) to the dealer for service. Loaner/courtesy vehicles are also to be offered.

The US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act provides that each vehicle which is subject to a recall of this type must be adequately repaired within a reasonable time after the customer has tendered it for repair. A failure to repair within sixty days after tender of a vehicle is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time. If the condition is not adequately repaired within a reasonable time, the customer may be entitled to an identical or reasonably equivalent vehicle at no charge or to a refund of the purchase price less a reasonable allowance for depreciation. To avoid having to provide these burdensome remedies, every effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each customer and to repair their vehicle as soon as possible. In the recall notification letters, customers are told how to contact the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration if the recall is not completed within a reasonable time.

All unsold new vehicles in dealers' possession and subject to this recall MUST be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this recall bulletin BEFORE customers take possession of these vehicles.

Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this recall at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.

Customers who have recently purchased vehicles sold from your vehicle inventory, and for which there is no customer information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer. Arrangements are to be made to make the required correction according to the instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such customers a copy of the customer letter accompanying this bulletin. recall follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the customer may not as yet have received the notification letter.

In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this recall enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, please take the steps necessary to be sure the recall correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

Dear General Motors Customer:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

Caution: Because of the potential for severe injury, we strongly recommend that you DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE until it has been serviced for the defect described in this letter. Please call us at 866-944-9090 or contact your dealer right away for information on towing and courtesy transportation.

General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix and Montana/Trans Sport model vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator in these vehicles could produce excessive internal pressure. In the event of a crash that would trigger a driver's air bag deployment, the increased pressure can cause the inflator to explode. If an air bag inflator explodes, metal and plastic debris could cause severe injury to vehicle occupants.

Your dealer will replace the driver side air bag module. This service will be performed for you at no charge .

You may already have been contacted by General Motors or your dealership regarding this matter. If you have already been contacted and your vehicle has been repaired, no further action is required. If your vehicle has not been repaired, please call us at 866-944-9090 or contact your dealer immediately for instructions.

We expect have the part for your vehicle at your dealer in 2-3 weeks or less. The length of time required to perform this service correction is approximately 20 minutes. Additional time may be required to schedule and process your vehicle. If you dealer has a large number of vehicles awaiting service, this additional time may be significant. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed to schedule, process and repair your vehicle.

Please contact your Pontiac dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer and parts will be shipped to your dealer for your vehicle as soon as possible.

Your dealer is best equipped to obtain parts and provide services to correct your vehicle as promptly as possible. Should your dealer be unable to schedule a service date within a reasonable time, you should contact the Pontiac Customer Assistance Center at 1-866-944-9090. Deaf, hearing impaired or speech impaired call 1-800-833-7668 (Utilizes Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf/Text Telephones TDD/TTY).

If, after contacting the appropriate customer assistance center, you are still not satisfied that we have done our best to remedy this condition without charge and within a reasonable time, you may wish to write the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street SW, Washington, DC 20590 or call 1-888-327-4236.

The attached customer reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the necessary correction in the shortest possible time. If you no longer own this vehicle, please let us know by completing the attached and mailing it in the postage paid envelope.

Your dealer will provide or arrange for comparable courtesy transportation while your vehicle is at the dealership for this repair. Please refer to your Owner's Manual and your dealer for details on Courtesy Transportation.

We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your safety and continued satisfaction with our products.

General Motors Corporation

Enclosure