CAMPAIGN: REINFORCEMENT OF REAR SEAT BELT ANCHORAGES

SUBJECT: PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN

REINFORCEMENT OF REAR SEAT BELT ANCHORAGES - 1982 CHEVROLET CAMARO MODELS

TO: ALL CHEVROLET DEALERS

THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT, AS AMENDED, PROVIDES THAT EACH VEHICLE WHICH IS SUBJECT TO A RECALL CAMPAIGN OF THIS TYPE MUST BE ADEQUATELY REPAIRED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AFTER THE OWNER HAS TENDERED IT FOR REPAIR. A FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY REPAIR WITHIN 60 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 OWNER 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 SOLUTIONS, EVERY EFFORT MUST BE MADE TO PROMPTLY SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH EACH OWNER AND TO REPAIR THEIR VEHICLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AS YOU WILL SEE IN READING THE ATTACHED COPY OF THE LETTER WHICH IS BEING SENT TO OWNERS, THE OWNERS ARE BEING INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT THE NEAREST CHEVROLET ZONE OFFICE IF THEIR DEALER DOES NOT REMEDY THE CONDITION WITHIN FIVE DAYS OF THE MUTUALLY AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE. IF THE CONDITION IS NOT REMEDIED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, THEY ARE INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION.

CONDITION INVOLVED ==================

GENERAL MOTORS HAS DETERMINED THAT CERTAIN 1982 CAMAROS WERE ASEMBLED WITH REAR SEAT BELT ANCHORAGES WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES". THE SEAT BELT ANCHORAGES MAY PULL THROUGH THE UNDERBODY OF THESE VEHICLES IF SUBSTANTIAL FORCES WERE TO BE APPLIED. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH IN WHICH BELT RESTRAINT IS REQUIRED, FAILURE OF A REAR SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE WOULD INCREASE LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO THE WEARER OF THE SEAT BELT.

VEHICLES INVOLVED =================

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES ARE ALL 1982 CHEVROLET CAMAROS WITHIN THE FOLLOWING VEHICLE BREAKPOINTS:

PLANT FROM THROUGH ===== ==== =======

NORWOOD CN100001 CN141542 VAN NUYS CL100001 CL178517

INVOLVED VEHICLES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED BY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER COMPUTER LISTINGS. COMPUTER LISTINGS CONTAIN THE COMPLETE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, OWNER NAME AND ADDRESS DATA, AND ARE FURNISHED TO THE INVOLVED DEALERS WITH THE CAMPAIGN BULLETIN. OWNER NAME AND ADDRESS DATA FURNISHED WILL ENABLE DEALERS TO FOLLOW-UP WITH OWNERS INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN.

THESE LISTINGS MAY CONTAIN OWNER NAMES AND ADDRESSES OBTAINED FROM STATE MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION RECORDS. THE USE OF SUCH MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION DATA FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE IS A VIOLATION OF LAW IN SEVERAL STATES. ACCORDINGLY, YOU ARE URGED TO LIMIT THE USE OF THIS LISTING TO THE FOLLOW-UP NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THIS CAMPAIGN. ANY DEALER NOT RECEIVING A COMPUTER LISTING WITH THE CAMPAIGN BULLETIN WAS NOT SHIPPED ANY INVOLVED VEHICLES.

OWNER NOTIFICATION ==================

OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THIS CAMPAIGN ON THEIR VEHICLES BY CHEVROLET MOTOR DIVISION (SEE COPY OF OWNER LETTER INCLUDED WITH THIS BULLETIN).

DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY ==============================

DEALERS ARE TO SERVICE ALL VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THIS CAMPAIGN, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE, AGE OF VEHICLE, OR OWNERSHIP, FROM THIS TIME FORWARD.

WHENEVER A VEHICLE SUBJECT TO THIS CAMPAIGN IS TAKEN INTO YOUR NEW OR USED VEHICLE INVENTORY OR IT IS IN YOUR DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE IN THE FUTURE, YOU SHOULD TAKE THE STEPS NECESSARY TO BE SURE THE CAMPAIGN CORRECTION HAS BEEN MADE.

THIS BULLETIN IS NOTICE TO YOU THAT THE NEW MOTOR VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARD IDENTIFIED ABOVE. UNDER SECTIONS 108 AND 114 OF THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT, IT IS ILLEGAL FOR A DEALER TO SELL A NEW MOTOR VEHICLE WHICH THE DEALER KNOWS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH AN APPLICABLE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD. AS A CONSEQUENCE, IF YOU SELL ANY OF THESE MOTOR VEHICLES WITHOUT FIRST PERFORMING THE CAMPAIGN CORRECTION, YOUR DEALERSHIP MAY BE SUBJECT TO A CIVIL PENALTY UP TO $1,000 FOR EACH SUCH SALE.

SERVICE PROCEDURE =================

1. REMOVE BOTH REAR SEAT CUSHIONS.

2. REMOVE RIGHT AND LEFT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ANCHOR BOLTS AND DISCARD.

3. INSTALL NEW RETRACTOR ANCHOR BOLTS (P/N 20229360) AND TORQUE TO 48-55 N.M (65-75 FT.LBS.). TORQUE NOT TO EXCEED 55 N.M (75 FT.LBS.).

4. RAISE VEHICLE ON HOIST.

5. INSTALL NEW REINFORCEMENT (P/N 20440601) OVER SHOULDER OF EXISTING ANCHOR NUT, MAKING SURE THAT EXTENSION IS POINTED REARWARD.

6. INSTALL NEW NUT (P/N 11502723) HOLDING REINFORCEMENT IN PLACE AND TORQUE TO 20-25 N.M (27-33 FT.LBS.). TORQUE NOT TO EXCEED 25 N.M (33 FT.LBS.).

7. LOWER VEHICLE AND REINSTALL REAR SEAT CUSHIONS.

8. INSTALL CAMPAIGN LABEL ACCORDING TO INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN.

REAR SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE REINFORCEMENT KIT NO. 20496891 CONSISTS OF:

1 - 20496892 INSTRUCTION SHEET 2 - 20440601 REINFORCEMENTS 2 - 11502723 NUTS 2 - 20229360 BOLTS

PARTS INFORMATION =================

PARTS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THIS CAMPAIGN ARE TO BE ORDERED FROM THE WAREHOUSING AND DISTRIBUTION DIVISION OF GENERAL MOTORS. WDDGM WILL ADVISE THROUGH A SALES INFORMATION BULLETIN WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE.

QUANTITY PER PART NUMBER VEHICLE DESCRIPTION =========== ============ ===========

20496891 1 KIT REAR SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE REINFORCEMENT KIT

CLAIM INFORMATION =================

SUBMIT A PRODUCT CLAIM WITH THE INFORMATION INDICATED BELOW:

PARTS FAILED PARTS FAILURE LABOR LABOR *OTHER COUNT PART NO. ALLOWANCE CODE OPERATION HOURS HOURS ===== ======== ========= ======= ========= ===== ======

1 20496891 00 V1380 .6 .1

DESCRIPTION: INSTALL REAR SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE REINFORCEMENT KIT P/N 20496891 ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS OUTLINED IN THIS BULLETIN.

*CAMPAIGN ADMINISTRATIVE ALLOWANCE

DEALERS WILL AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE THE CORRECT LABOR AND MATERIAL ALLOWANCE PLUS 30% BASED ON THE LABOR OPERATION PERFORMED.

REFER TO THE CHEVROLET CLAIMS PROCESSING MANUAL FOR DETAILS ON PRODUCT CAMPAIGN CLAIM SUBMISSION.

CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL =============================

EACH VEHICLE MODIFIED 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 FIVE DIGIT DEALER CODE OF THE DEALER PERFORMING THE CAMPAIGN SERVICE. THIS INFORMATION MAY BE INSERTED WITH A TYPEWRITER OR BALLPOINT 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 IN FOR PERIODIC SERVICING BY THE OWNER.

APPLY "CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL" ONLY ON A CLEAN DRY SURFACE.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ========================

REFER TO THE CURRENT CHEVROLET SERVICE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL AND CLAIMS PROCESSING MANUAL FOR CAMPAIGN HANDLING AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES.

CHEVROLET MOTOR DIVISION GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION

(NOTIFICATION USED BY CHEVROLET MOTOR DIVISION)

DEAR CHEVROLET OWNER:

THIS NOTICE IS SENT TO YOU IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT.

GENERAL MOTORS HAS DETERMINED THAT CERTAIN 1982 CAMAROS WERE ASSEMBLED WITH REAR SEAT BELT ANCHORAGES WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES". THE SEAT BELT ANCHORAGES MAY PULL THROUGH THE UNDERBODY OF THESE VEHICLES IF SUBSTANTIAL FORCES WERE TO BE APPLIED. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH IN WHICH BELT RESTRAINT IS REQUIRED, FAILURE OF A REAR SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE WOULD INCREASE LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO THE WEARER OF THE SEAT BELT.

TO PREVENT THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS OCCURRING, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR CHEVROLET DEALER, ON OR AFTER THE DATE SHOWN BELOW, TO ARRANGE A SERVICE DATE TO HAVE REINFORCEMENTS INSTALLED IN THE REAR SEAT ANCHORAGES OF YOUR VEHICLE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE DONE AT NO CHARGE TO YOU.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING THIS CORRECTION HAVE BEEN SENT TO YOUR DEALER. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE APPROXIMATELY OCTOBER 18, 1982. THE TIME REQUIRED TO INSTALL THE REINFORCEMENT KIT IS ABOUT 40 MINUTES. PLEASE ALLOW ADDITIONAL TIME FOR THE DEALER TO PROCESS YOUR VEHICLE.

IF YOU TAKE YOUR VEHICLE TO YOUR DEALER ON THE AGREED SERVICE DATE AND THEY DO NOT REMEDY THIS CONDITION WITHOUT CHARGE ON THAT DATE OR WITHIN FIVE DAYS, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR NEAREST CHEVROLET ZONE OFFICE, EITHER IN PERSON OR BY TELEPHONE, FOR ASSISTANCE. THE LOCATIONS AND PHONE NUMBERS OF THE ZONE OFFICES ARE LISTED IN YOUR OWNER'S MANUAL. IF YOUR DEALER OR GENERAL MOTORS FAILS OR IS UNABLE TO REMEDY THIS CONDITION WITHOUT CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, YOU MAY WISH TO NOTIFY THE ADMINISTRATOR, NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, 400 SEVENTH STREET, S.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590.

THE ENCLOSED OWNER REPLY CARD IDENTIFIES YOUR VEHICLE. PRESENTATION OF THIS CARD TO YOUR DEALER WILL ASSIST THEM IN MAKING THE NECESSARY CORRECTION TO YOUR VEHICLE IN THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME. IF YOU HAVE SOLD OR TRADED YOUR VEHICLE, PLEASE LET US KNOW BY COMPLETING THE POSTAGE PAID OWNER REPLY CARD AND RETURNING IT TO US.

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.

CHEVROLET MOTOR DIVISION GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION

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.