Recall - Incorrect Seat Belts: Overview

BUICK
97-C-01

Issued: 03-01-96

SUBJECT:
PRODUCT SAFETY - INCORRECT SEAT BELTS

MODELS AFFECTED:
CERTAIN 1997 LESABRES AND 1996 PARK AVENUE/ULTRAS

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 customers 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 customer may be entitled to an identical or reasonable 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 customer 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 customers, the customers are being instructed to contact the Buick Customer Relations 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.

DEFECT INVOLVED

General Motors has determined that certain 1997 LeSabre and 1996 Park Avenue/Ultra model vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies". These vehicles may have been assembled with one or more incorrect seat belt and/or seat belt buckle ends. If an incorrect part is used, the belt may not latch properly increasing the risk of injury to the occupant should a vehicle crash occur.

To correct this condition and in order to comply with FMVSS 209, customers/dealers will inspect all front and rear seat belt latch ends and seat belt buckle ends for correct parts. Dealers will replace any incorrect parts.