Recall - Shift Control Cable Disengagement: Overview

9223buick04

Model Year:
1990

Bulletin No.:
90-C-7

File in Group:
7

Number:
4

Date:
Sept.'90


SUBJECT:
TRANSAXLE SHIFT CONTROL CABLE DISENGAGEMENT

MODELS AFFECTED:
1990 RIVIERA AND REATTA


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 repair within sixty (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 that is being sent to owners, the owners are being instructed to contact the Buick Customer Assistance Center if their dealer does not remedy the condition within five (5) 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

General Motors has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some 1990 Buick Riviera and Reatta model vehicles. The transaxle shift control cable may disengage from the floor shift control resulting in loss of gear indicator reference and shift selector operation. The gear position indicated by the selector may differ from the actual gear position of the transaxle with the transaxle remaining in the position last selected prior to cable disengagement.

If this occurs, a number of possible conditions can exist. Unless the transaxle is actually in the park or neutral position, the engine cannot be started.


If the driver places the gear shift selector in the park position without setting the parking brake, the transaxle may not actually be in the park position and the vehicle may move if it is on an inclined surface. Also, if the driver places the gear shift selector in a drive or the reverse position without turning off the engine, the transaxle may not be in the position indicated and the vehicle may move in the opposite direction. In either case, unexpected vehicle movement could result in an accident without prior warning.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

Involved are all 1990 Buick Riviera and Reatta model vehicles built within the following VIN breakpoints:

THROUGH AND
YEAR MODEL PLANT FROM INCLUDING

1990 Riviera Hamtramck LU400001 LU415925
1990 Reatta Reatta Craft Centre LB900001 LB905060