Product Safety Recall - Passenger Side Air Bag Inflator Module

THIS CAMPAIGN IS BEING REVISED TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL VEHICLES.

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

To arrange for the return of inflator modules removed from vehicles involved in this campaign, contact Delphi Interiors via telephone at (248) 655-0910. A Delphi representative will make arrangements to pick up and safely dispose of the replaced module. Removed modules should be stored in an area with limited access.

General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2000-2001 Pontiac Grand Prix and 2001 Chevrolet Lumina, Chevrolet Venture, Pontiac Montana and Pontiac Aztek model vehicles. The passenger side air bag inflator modules in these vehicles were built without the correct amount of the generant which produces the gas that fills the air bag. Some were built with a double load of generant and some were built without generant. In the event of a crash that would trigger a passenger side air bag deployment, a double load of generant can cause the inflator module to explode. If an air bag inflator module explodes, metal and plastic debris could cause severe injury to vehicle occupants. A module with no generant would not inflate the air bag, and occupants may receive more severe injuries.

Dealers are to replace the passenger side air bag modules in involved vehicles.

Involved are the following 2000-2001 Pontiac Grand Prix and 2001 Chevrolet Lumina, Chevrolet Venture, Pontiac Montana and Pontiac Aztek model vehicles:

Important: Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through GMVIS (GM Vehicle Inquiry System) before beginning campaign repairs.

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.

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 campaign.

Parts required to complete this campaign are to be obtained from General Motors Service 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.

Important: Due to the small number of vehicles involved and due to limited initial parts availability, dealers are encouraged not to order campaign parts for use as shelf stock. Parts should only be ordered when a service appointment has been scheduled for an involved vehicle.

Refer to the appropriate section of the 2001 Service Manual (or 2000 Service Manual for certain Grand Prix models).

Caution: IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT ALL APPLICABLE PROCEDURES FOR DISABLING THE SIR SYSTEM BE FOLLOWED BEFORE BEGINNING THIS SERVICE PROCEDURE. IF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WERE TO DEPLOY DURING SERVICE, SEVERE INJURY COULD RESULT.

1. Following the service manual procedure, replace the passenger side air bag module.

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

2. To arrange for the return of inflator modules removed from vehicles involved in this campaign, contact Delphi Interiors via telephone at (248) 655-0910. A Delphi representative will make arrangements to pick up and safely dispose of the replaced module. Removed modules should be stored in an area with limited access.
3. Install the GM Campaign Identification Label.

FOR US

Place a Campaign Identification Label on each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Campaign Bulletin. 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.

Put the Campaign 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 Campaign Identification Label, be sure to pull the tab to allow the adhesion of the clear protective covering. Additional Campaign 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.

Submit a Product Campaign Claim with the information indicated below:

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

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

Important: The Chevrolet and Pontiac outbound calling centers will be contacting owners of any involved vehicles via telephone advising them to park (do not drive) their vehicles. Owners will be advised that they will be contacted promptly by their dealer 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 to be offered to owners. Pick-up and drop-off services of the loaner/courtesy vehicle are also to be offered.

The US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act provides that each vehicle which is subject to a recall campaign 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 campaign notification letters, customers are told how to contact the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration if the campaign is not completed within a reasonable time.

All unsold new vehicles in dealers' 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 customer letter accompanying this bulletin. Campaign 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 campaign enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, please take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign 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: Due to 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 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 2000-2001 Pontiac Grand Prix and 2001 Chevrolet Lumina, Chevrolet Venture, Pontiac Montana and Pontiac Aztek model vehicles. The passenger side air bag inflator modules in these vehicles were built without the correct amount of the generant which produces the gas that fills the air bag. Some were built with a double load of generant and some were built without generant. In the event of a crash that would trigger a passenger side air bag deployment, a double load of generant can cause the inflator module to explode. If an air bag inflator module explodes, metal and plastic debris could cause severe injury to vehicle occupants. A module with no generant would not inflate the air bag, and occupants may receive more severe injuries.

Your dealer will replace the passenger 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 dealer 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 contact your dealer immediately for instructions.

The length of time required to perform this service correction is approximately [45 minutes (Lumina)]/[3 hours (Grand Prix)]/ [30 minutes (U Van)]/[40 minutes (Aztek)]. 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 dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. Parts are available and instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer.

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 appropriate Customer Assistance Center at the number listed below:

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 you with shuttle service or some other form of 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