Product Safety - Front Seat Belt Buckle Failure (Canada Only)

The Parts Information and Service Procedure sections in this bulletin have been revised for a specific VIN range. Please discard all copies of bulletin 06175, issued November 13, 2007.

General Motors has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2006-2007 Chevrolet Optra model vehicles sold in Canada. Some of these vehicles have front seat safety buckles that may not latch or may unlatch.

The subject vehicles are equipped with front seat belt buckles in which the spring rib and /or fixation rib of the lower cover may break off and become lodged in the buckle. As a result, the seat belt tongue may not latch in the buckle or the push button may become stuck, preventing the occupant from unlatching the buckle. These buckle malfunctions could prevent a person from using the seat belt system, resulting in an increased risk of injury to an occupant in a crash.

Dealers are to replace the front driver and passenger seat belt buckles.

Involved are certain 2006-2007 Chevrolet Optra vehicles built within these VIN breakpoints:

Important: Dealers are to confirm vehicle eligibility prior to beginning repairs by using GMVIS. Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.

For dealers with involved vehicles, a listing with involved vehicles containing the complete vehicle identification number, customer name, and address information has been prepared and will be provided through the GMinfoNet Recall Reports. Dealers will not have a report available if they have no involved vehicles currently assigned.

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

Parts required to complete this recall are to be obtained from General Motors Service and Parts Operations (GMSPO). Please refer to your "involved vehicles listing" before ordering parts. Normal orders should be placed on a DRO = Daily Replenishment Order. In an emergency situation, parts should be ordered on a CSO = Customer Special Order.

* Required for vehicles built witihin VIN range (6K234746-6K337487).

1. Move the front seats forward to access the screws at the rear of the centre console.



2. Locate and remove two screws securing the centre console (1). Retain screws.



3. Lift the rear of the centre console and move the front seats rearward 4-5 positions to access the seat belt buckle mounting bolts.



4. Remove the tie strap (1) beneath the driver’s seat frame and disconnect the buckle harness connector. Note the wire routing to the buckle for reassembly (Step 7).



5. Remove both the driver and passenger seat belt buckle mounting bolts, washers and buckles.

Note: For vehicles built with VIN 6K337487 or later, retain bolts and all washers for re-assembly (Step 6).




6. For vehicles built prior to VIN 6K337487, discard old bolts and washers (shown here).



7. Install new belt buckles, bolts, wave spring washers and plain washers. Assemble as shown: Bolt + Wave Washer + Plain Washer + Buckle + Seat Frame & Nut. Tighten the front seat belt buckle bolt to 42 N·m(31 lb ft). * Eff. Torque: 30-45 N·m.

For vehicles built prior to VIN 6K337487, use new bolt, wave washer and plain washer listed on page 2.

For vehicles built with VIN 6K337487 or later, reuse bolt, wave washer and plain washer from step 5.




8. Reconnect driver side buckle connector and secure harness to driver’s seat frame with 8" nylon tie strap (1). Trim excess strap material.



9. Move both seats forward and secure the centre console with the two screws removed in step 2 (1).

The General Motors Courtesy Transportation Program is intended to minimize customer inconvenience when a vehicle requires a repair that is covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The availability of courtesy transportation to customers whose vehicles are within the warranty coverage period and involved in a product recall is very important in maintaining customer satisfaction. Dealers are to ensure that these customers understand that shuttle service or some other form of courtesy transportation is available and will be provided at no charge. Dealers should refer to the General Motors Service Policies and Procedures Manual for courtesy transportation guidelines.

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.

General Motors will notify customers of this recall on their vehicle (see copy of customer letter included with this bulletin).

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. A copy of the customer letter is provided in this bulletin for your use in contacting customers. 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, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the recall correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

Dear General Motors Customer:

General Motors has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2006-2007 Chevrolet Optra model vehicles sold in Canada. As a result, GM is conducting a safety recall.

The subject vehicles are equipped with front seat belt buckles in which the spring rib and /or fixation rib of the lower cover may break off and become lodged in the buckle. As a result, the seat belt tongue may not latch in the buckle or the push button may become stuck, preventing the occupant from unlatching the buckle. These buckle malfunctions could prevent a person from using the seat belt system, resulting in an increased risk of injury to an occupant in a crash.

Your General Motors dealer will replace the front driver and passenger seat belt buckles. This service will be performed for you at no charge .

To limit any possible inconvenience, we recommend that you contact your General Motors dealer as soon as possible to schedule an appointment for this repair. By scheduling an appointment, your dealer can ensure that the necessary parts will be available on your scheduled appointment date.

You may be contacted by a dealer other than the dealer who sold or is currently servicing your vehicle. Please be advised that you may take your vehicle to the General Motors dealership of your choice to have the recall service work completed.

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 apologize for this inconvenience. However, we are concerned about your safety and continued satisfaction with our products.

Customer Support Department

General Motors of Canada Limited

06175