CAMPAIGN: FRONT BUCKET SEAT RECLINER BOLT LOOSE/BROKEN
PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN
SUBJECT: CAMPAIGN 97004 - FRONT BUCKET SEAT RECLINER BOLT LOOSE/BROKEN -------------------------------------------------------------
MODELS: 1990-1991 CHEVROLET LUMINA APV AND PONTIAC TRANS SPORT ------------------------------------------------------
DEFECT INVOLVED
General Motors of Canada Limited has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1990-1991 Chevrolet Lumina APV and Pontiac Trans Sport model vehicles equipped with front bucket seats and recliner mechanisms. These vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the front seat recliner mechanism lower bolts may loosen, fatigue and break. If this occurred to the driver's seat, it could lead to a sudden loss of vehicle control and a vehicle crash without prior warning.
To prevent this condition from occurring, dealers are to remove the cloth or vinyl from between the recliner mechanism and the seat frame. The recliner mechanism lower bolts will be replaced, and the seat back bolts will be tightened, if necessary.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 1990-1991 Chevrolet Lumina APV and Pontiac Trans Sport model vehicles built within the following VIN breakpoints:
PLANT YEAR DIVISION MODEL PLANT CODE FROM THROUGH ---- --------- ----------- --------- ----- -------- -------- 1990 Chevrolet Lumina APV Tarrytown "T" LT100142 LT179054 1991 Chevrolet Lumina APV Tarrytown "T" MT100034 MT123784 1990 Pontiac Trans Sport Tarrytown "T" LT200012 LT240655 1991 Pontiac Trans Sport Tarrytown "T" MT200024 MT212630
NOTE: PLEASE CHECK DCS SCREEN 445 OR YOUR V.I.N. LISTING BEFORE PERFORMING CAMPAIGN TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE IS AFFECTED. ONLY AFFECTED VIN'S WELL BE PAID.
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 campaign bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with customers involved in this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.
PARTS INFORMATION
An initial supply of BOLTS (P/N 15990580), equivalent to 100% of your involved vehicles, will be pre- shipped to involved dealers of record. This pre-shipment will occur the week of March 10, 1997. Pre- shipped parts will be charged to dealer's open parts account.
Additional parts required to complete this campaign are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). Please refer to your "involved vehicles listing" prior to ordering requirements.
Quantity/ Part Number Description Vehicle ----------- -------------------- ---------- 15990580 Bolt - 4 Per Package 4
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
All customers of record at the time of campaign release are shown on the attached computer listing and have been notified by first class mail from General Motors (see copy of customer letter included with this bulletin). The listings provided are for campaign activity only and should not be used for any other purpose.
COURTESY TRANSPORTATION
The availability of courtesy transportation to customers whose vehicles are involved in this campaign is of the utmost importance in maintaining customer satisfaction. Dealers are to take the steps necessary to ensure that these customers clearly understand that courtesy transportation is available and will be provided upon request at no charge. Dealers should submit such claims in the normal manner and appropriate credit will be issued.
DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY
All unsold new vehicles in dealer's possession and subject to this campaign must be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this campaign bulletin before customers take possession of these vehicles.
Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign 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 appropriate customer letter accompanying this bulletin.
In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Remove seat adjuster knob cover.
2. Remove adjuster knob from seat by rotating knob locking plate in a counterclockwise direction.
3. Remove recliner trim cover from seat by inserting a screwdriver behind cover (from below) and pushing out on retainer clips (see Figure below).
4. Remove two (2) seat back recliner lower retaining bolts from recliner hinge assembly to gain access to cloth/vinyl.
5. Cut cloth/vinyl material back using marks left by the recliner hinge as guides. Be careful when cutting cloth/vinyl to ensure that it is cut back from bolt area.
6. Install two (2) NEW seat back recliner retaining bolts attaching recliner hinge assembly to seat frame and torque to 24 N.m ( 18 lb. ft.).
NOTICE: When installing NEW bolts, ALL cloth/vinyl must be clear of bolt mating surface area.
7. Reinstall trim cover.
8. Reinstall adjuster knob and rotate knob clip to secure.
9. Reinstall adjuster knob cover.
10. Inspect seat back frame for looseness by grasping the recliner knob with one hand and moving the seat back fore and aft with the other hand. If seat back movement occurs, proceed to Step #1 1, and tighten the attachment bolts. If no movement is apparent, proceed to Step #16.
11. Remove armrest.
12. Recline seat to access zipper on bottom of seat back. Unzip cover.
13. Work cover up front and back until attaching bolts are accessible. Torque bolts to 24 N.m (18 lb. ft.).
14. Work cover down and zip-up along bottom.
15. Return seat back to the upright position.
16. Repeat procedure for opposite seat recliner hinge assembly.
17. Install Campaign Identification Label.
CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL
Each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Campaign Bulletin will require a "Campaign Identification Label." Each label provides a space to include the campaign number and the five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the campaign service. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or a ball point pen.
Each "Campaign Identification Label" is to be located on the radiator core support in an area which will be visible when the vehicle is brought into the dealership for periodic servicing. Additional Campaign Identification Labels can be obtained from DGN by calling 1-800-668-5539 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST). Ask for Item Number GMP 91 when ordering.
Apply the "Campaign Identification Label" only on a clean, dry surface.
CLAIM INFORMATION
Submit a Product Campaign Claim with the information indicated below:
* REPAIR PERFORMED PART FAILED PARTS LABOUR LABOUR COUNT PART NO. ALLOW CC-FC 0P HOURS ------------------------ ----- -------- ----- ------ ------ ------ Replace Lower Bolts 4 15990580 ** MA-96 V0007 0.3 and Cut Back Cloth/Vinyl Trim As Required
Add: For Seat Back Bolt Torqueing One Side - 0.1 Both Sides - 0.2
* For Campaign Administrative Allowance, add 0.1 hours to the "Labour Hours".
** The "Parts Allowance" should be the sum total of the current GMSPO Dealer Net price plus 30% for all parts needed to complete the repair.
Refer to the General Motors Claims Processing Manual for details on Product Campaign Claim Submission.
March 1997
Dear General Motors Customer:
General Motors of Canada Limited has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1990-1991 Chevrolet Lumina APV and Pontiac Trans Sport model vehicles equipped with front bucket seats and recliner mechanisms. These vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the front seat recliner mechanism lower bolts may loosen, fatigue and break. If this occurred to the driver's seat, it could lead to a sudden loss of vehicle control and a vehicle crash without prior warning.
To prevent this condition from occurring, your GM dealer will remove the cloth or vinyl from between the recliner mechanism and the seat frame. The recliner mechanism lower bolts will be replaced, and the seat back bolts will be tightened, if necessary.
This service will be provided for you at no charge.
Please contact your GM dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date.
If parts are required, ask your dealer for details regarding their availability. If parts are not in stock, they can be ordered before scheduling your service date.
This letter identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this letter to your dealer will assist their Service personnel in completing the necessary correction to your vehicle in the shortest possible time.
We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.
Customer Support Department General Motors of Canada Limited
General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
