F/CMVSS Noncompliance-Seat Stud Strength-Inspect Seat Studs

The breakpoints in this bulletin have been revised to include additional population. Please discard all copies of bulletin 07263, isued September 2007.

General Motors has decided that certain 2008 model year Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky vehicles fail to conform to Federal/Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 207 and 210 for seating systems and seat belt assembly anchorages. These vehicles may have one or more inboard seat stud fasteners that do not meet GM's specification for strength. In the event of a crash, the seat and seat belt assembly may not restrain the occupant as intended and could result in injury to the occupant.

Dealers/retailers are to inspect the inboard seat studs, and if necessary, remove the stud and install a bolt.

Involved are certain 2008 model year Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky vehicles built within these VIN breakpoints:

Important: Dealers/retailers are to confirm vehicle eligibility prior to beginning repairs by using the system(s) below. Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.

For dealers/retailers 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 applicable system listed below. Dealers/retailers will not have a report available if they have no involved vehicles currently assigned.

-- US GM dealers - GM DealerWorld Recall Information

-- Canadian GM/Saturn/Saab dealers/retailers - GMinfoNet Recall Reports

-- US Saturn retailers - Facility VIN List (included with bulletin in GM DealerWorld)

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 states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this report to the follow-up necessary to complete this recall.

GM and Saturn Canada Only -- 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.

Saturn US Only - Saturn will not be doing a pre-shipment of parts for this bulletin. Please place orders for the required parts as necessary.

*Important: It is estimated that only 5% or less of involved vehicles will require the installation of the bolt. Please order parts accordingly.

Seat Adjuster Stud Inspection

Important: Inspect all of the inboard seat adjuster studs.

1. Place a 50 N·mwrench on the front driver’s side inboard stud and align the handle with the tunnel.



2. Pull the wrench until it clicks.

•	If the wrench clicks at or less than 45 degrees, the stud is good.

•	If the wrench pulls beyond 45 degrees and does not click, the stud is suspect and needs to be replaced.




3. Place the 50 N·m wrench on the rear driver’s side inboard stud and rotate the handle to the rear trim panel.



4. Pull the wrench until it clicks. Use the rear edge of seat as guide.

•	If the wrench clicks at or less than 45 degrees, the stud is good.

•	If the wrench pulls beyond 45 degrees and does not click, the stud is suspect and needs to be replaced.




5. Place the 50 N·m wrench on the front passenger side inboard stud and align the handle with the tunnel.



6. Pull the wrench until it clicks. Use the floor bump as a guide.

•	If the wrench clicks at or less than 45 degrees, the stud is good.

•	If the wrench pulls beyond 45 degrees and does not click, the stud is suspect and needs to be replaced.




7. Place the 50 N·mwrench on the rear passenger side inboard stud and rotate the handle to the rear of the folded seat back.



8. Pull the wrench until it clicks. Use the rear edge of the seat as a guide.

•	If the wrench clicks at or less than 45 degrees, the stud is good.

•	If the wrench pulls beyond 45 degrees and does not click, the stud is suspect and needs to be replaced.

Seat Adjuster Stud Removal

Important: Adjust the seat forward or rearward to access the seat adjuster nuts.

1. Remove the front and/or rear inboard seat adjuster nuts, as required, from the front driver and/or passenger seats.
2. Lift and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in SI.





3. Locate the four inboard seat adjuster stud caps (1). The seat adjuster stud caps (1) are 22 mm (7/8 in) in size.



4. Using a grinder (or equivalent tool), remove the three spot welds from the cap of each seat adjuster stud that is to be replaced.





5. Using a pry bar, remove the seat adjuster studs.




Caution: Carefully read and perform Steps 6.0 through 10.0 as instructed in this bulletin. Failure to perform Steps 6.0 through 10.0 as written may increase the chance of corrosion damage or limit the operation of moving parts, resulting in personal injury.

Important: Bare metal surfaces must be treated with a metal conditioner and re-primed prior to assembly. Refer to the GM Approved Refinish Materials Book GMP/NGM4901 M-D (GMW 15406 Global Approved Refinished Booklet - October 2007) that identifies the paint systems you may use. Refer to Anti-Corrosion Treatment and Repair in SI for more information.

6. Clean and prepare a small area around the seat adjuster stud holes to ensure that the metal surface around the holes is smooth. Do not remove a large area of paint around the seat adjuster stud holes.

•	Clean the weld areas with an abrasive wheel.

•	Treat the bare metal. Refer to the recommendation of the Paint Manufacturer. Refer to Anti-Corrosion Treatment and Repair in SI for more information.

•	Apply a grey expoxy primer to the repair area. Select a product from the GM Approved Refinish Materials Book GMP/NGM4901 M-D (GMW 15406 Global Approved Refinished Booklet - October 2007).

•	Scuff-sand and wipe the residue off of the repair area with a cleaning solvent.

•	Spray 3M 8374 Ultrapro MSP Sprayable Seam Sealer (or equivalent) on the repaired areas.

•	Re-apply grey expoxy as a sealer coat. If the underbody has a colored exterior overspray, duplicate it by lightly spraying the appropriate exterior body color.

Notice: Two (2) technicians are required to perform Steps 7-10. To avoid part damage, ensure that a new washer is installed with the new bolt. If the seat track contacts the seat adjuster bolt, remove the bolt and re-install the bolt using an additional washer. Do Not use more than two washers with the new bolt.

7. Insert a new washer and bolt into the front and/or rear inboard seat adjuster stud hole(s).
8. Lower the vehicle.
9. Using a torque wrench, tighten the front and/or rear inboard seat adjuster nuts (driver and passenger seat).

Tighten
Tighten the front and/or rear inboard seat adjuster nut(s) to 45 N·m(33 ft lb).

Important: The seat back should be in the upright position and not the fully reclined position for the seat track to achieve the full rear position.

10. Test the function of the seat. Sit in the seat and adjust the seat to the full forward and rearward positions.

•	If the rear inboard seat adjuster bolt contacts the seat track and limits the range of seat adjustment, remove the seat bolt and add one additional washer to the seat bolt. Use no more than two washers to adjust the clearance between the seat track and seat adjuster bolt. Perform Steps 7-10 again.

•	If the seat can be moved to the full forward and rearward positions without contact, no further action is required.

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 program 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. GM Dealers should refer to the General Motors Service Policies and Procedures Manual for Courtesy Transportation guidelines. Saturn US retailers should refer to GM messenger bulletins SAG20060292/SAG20060295 for Courtesy Transportation guidelines. Saturn Canada retailers should refer to applicable Home Office letter on this subject.

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.

1. To receive credit, submit a claim with the information below:

2. Check your Saturn SERVICELINE.XL Claim Memorandum daily. Remember to code the claim as a WC sale type, and VC case type. Contact your field representative if you need assistance.

3. Submit courtesy transportation using normal labor operations for courtesy transportation as indicated in GM messenger bulletins SAG20060292/SAG20060295.

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

The US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act provides that each vehicle that 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.

This bulletin is notice to you that the new motor vehicles included in this recall may not comply with the standard identified above. Under Title 49, Section 30112 of the United States Code, 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 recall correction, your dealership may be subject to a civil penalty for each such sale.

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:

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

General Motors has decided that certain 2008 model year Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky vehicles fail to conform to Federal/Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 207 and 210 for seating systems and seat belt anchorages. As a result, GM is conducting a safety recall. We apologize for this inconvenience. However, we are concerned about your safety and continued satisfaction with our products.

Important: 

Why is your vehicle being recalled?

Your vehicle may have one or more inboard seat stud fasteners that do not meet GM's specification for strength. In the event of a crash, the seat and seat belt assembly may not restrain the occupant as intended and could result in injury to the occupant.

What will we do?

Your GM dealer/retailer will inspect the inboard seat studs, and if necessary, remove the stud and install a bolt. This service will be performed for you at no charge . Because of service scheduling requirements, it is likely that your dealer/retailer will need your vehicle longer than the actual inspection time of approximately 15 minutes. If the inspection determines that there are studs that require removal, an additional 25 minutes to 1 hour and 40 minutes will be required.

If your vehicle is within the New Vehicle Limited Warranty your dealer/retailer may provide you with shuttle service or some other form of courtesy transportation while your vehicle is at the dealership/facility for this repair. Please refer to your Owner’s Manual and your dealer/retailer for details on courtesy transportation.

Do you have questions?

If you have questions or concerns that your dealer/retailer is unable to resolve, please contact the appropriate Customer Assistance Center at the number listed below. More information about this recall can be found at the Owner Center at MyGMLink, http://www.gm.com/recall

If after contacting your dealer/retailer and the Customer Assistance Center, you are still not satisfied 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, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington DC 20590, or call the toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1.888.327.4236 (TTY 1.800.424.9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Federal regulation requires that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days.

Scott Lawson

General Director,

Customer and Relationship Services

Enclosure

07263