Dealers Letter
BUICK MOTOR DIVISION DCS NO. 91-04
902 E. Hamilton Ave. GROUP NO. 9
Flint, MI 48550
SUBJECT: Supplemental Inflatable DATE: October 29, 1990 Restraint (SIR) Inflator Module Product Campaign 90-C-9
TO: Affected Buick Dealers (VIA DCS)
All Assistant Zone Managers-Service/Branch Managers (VIA DISOSS)
ATTN: DEALER PRINCIPAL AM SERVICE MANAGER BE SURE TO REVIEW THIS INFORMATION VITH YOUR SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL
General Motors has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some 1990 Buick Riviera and Reatta model vehicles. In the event of an accident requiring deployment of the driver's side Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR), the SIR Inflator Module, located in the steering wheel assembly, could separate. If separation occurs, the air bag will not inflate as intended, and the driver will not be properly restrained. In addition, separation of the SIR Inflator Module may result in hot combustion gases escaping into the occupant compartment, presenting the possibility that vehicle occupants could receive burn injuries.
Vehicles Involved
Certain 1990 Buick Riviera and Reatta model vehicles as indicated below:
Dealer Code Assigned To Serial Number
1. 34-750 LB904158
2. 46-610 LB904563
3. 51-724 LB904594
4. 41-420 LU406280
5. 43-420 LU407961
6. 36-390 LU411353
7. 42-230 LU416405
8. 42-325 LU421713
Additional vehicles may be added at a later date.
Dealer Action
To correct this condition, dealers are to replace the SIR Inflator Module per the Vehicles Involved and Service Procedure. Dealer should contact zone/branch as soon as a replacement SIR Inflator Module is received. Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to owners, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership from this time forward. Dealers will be notified of owner name and address by a subsequent DCS.
Owner Notification
Owners will be notified of this campaign on their vehicle by Buick Motor Division (see copy of owner letter included with DCS). The zone/branch is being requested to contact the owners to immediately advise them of this campaign and arrange this service.
Parts Information
Dealers who received involved vehicles will be shipped the SIR Inflator Module on a "No Charge" basis.
Parts will not be billed on dealer parts account. Dealers should not order parts from GMSPO. If transfers are involved, contact your zone or branch office to arrange transfer of campaign parts and assignment to the new dealer.
Service Procedure
Refer to 1990 Riviera and Reatta Service Manual Section 3F4
1. Read precautions on handling SIR Inflator Module (pages 2 and 3).
2. Disable the SIR system (page 2).
3. Remove and install new Inflator Module (pages 4 and 5).
4. Enable the SIR system (page 3).
5. Retain removed Inflator Module properly tagged in Inflator Module shipping container until further notice. ***CAUTION: DO NOT DEPLOY***
6. Install Campaign Label for 90-C-9.
Warranty Information
Claims for Product Campaign 90-C-9 may be submitted immediately.
Sublet
Failure Labor Labor Other Dealer
Oper. Code Op. No. Hours Hours Mtl. Twg.
Replace SIR Inflator Module
96 V6640 .5 *0.1 **113.40
* 0.1 hour for administration
** $113.40 represents 30% of current dealer price of furnished parts.
A Product Campaign Bulletin 90-C-9 will be sent later.
Dear Buick Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Reason For This Recall
General Motors has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some 1990 Buick Riviera and Reatta model vehicles. In the event of an accident requiring deployment of the driver's side Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR), the SIR Inflator Module located in the steering wheel assembly, could separate. if separation occurs, the air bag will not inflate as intended, and the driver will not be properly restrained. In addition, separation of the SIR Inflator Module may result in hot combustion gases escaping into the occupant compartment, presenting the possibility that vehicle occupants could receive burn injuries. What We Will Do
To correct this condition, your dealer will replace the SIR Inflator Module. This service will be performed for you at no charge.
What You Should Do
Please contact your Buick dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer and parts are available. (Your zone/branch has been instructed to try to contact you as soon as parts are received by the dealer.) The labor time necessary to perform their service correction is approximately 30 minutes. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed to schedule and process your vehicle.
Your Buick dealer is best equipped to obtain parts and provide service to ensure that your vehicle is corrected as promptly as possible. If however, you take your vehicle to your dealer on the agreed service date, and they do not remedy this condition on that date or within five (5) days, we recommend you contact the Buick Customer Assistance Center, Flint Home Office, by calling 1-800-521-7300.
After contacting your dealer and the Customer Assistance Center, if 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, S. W., Washington, DC 20590 or call 1-800-424-9393 (Washington, DC residents use 366-0123).
The enclosed owner 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 have sold or traded your vehicle, please let us know by completing the postage paid 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.