Recall - Bucket Seat Recline Bolt Breakage: Overview

GM CANADA
3D39

Issued: 11/01/96

CAMPAIGN: BUCKET SEAT RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE

SUBJECT:
BUCKET SEAT RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE

MODELS:
1985-91 M-Vans, 1990-91 L-Vans and 1989-90 R/V Suburbans

TO: ALL GENERAL MOTORS DEALERS

General Motors of Canada Limited has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1985-91 2-Wheel Drive Safari/Astro Vans, 1990-91 All Wheel Drive Safari/Astro Vans, (with RPO A78) and 1989-90 R/V Suburbans (with RPO A95) equipped with bucket seats with knob type recliner mechanisms. A front seat recliner bolt may fatigue and break. If this occurred to the driver's seat, it could lead to a sudden loss of vehicle control and a vehicle crash without prior warning.

The bolt fatigue results from high load inputs from the seat occupant when the joint between the recliner mechanism and the seat frame is loose. The recliner mechanism and the seat frame may have foam, cloth or vinyl between them, creating a "soft" joint. This "soft, joint can result in lower than specified bolt torque and lead to joint looseness.

To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, dealers are to remove the foam, cloth or vinyl from between the recliner mechanism and the seat frame "soft" joint and replace the recliner bolts.