Recall - 2nd/3rd Row Seat Belt Buckle Defect: Overview
FMVSS NONCOMPLIANCEBulletin No.: 08387A
Date: January 22, 2009
Subject:
08387A - Second and Third Row Safety Belt Buckle Rivet Missing - Inspect Buckles
Models:
2009 Buick Enclave
2009 Chevrolet Traverse
2009 GMC Acadia
2009 Saturn OUTLOOK
Supercede:
The Parts Information section in this bulletin has changed for GM U.S. dealers and Canadian dealers/retailers. Parts may not be ordered through GMSPO. Saturn U.S. retailers are to continue placing an emergency order if parts are required. Please discard all copies of bulletin 08387, issued November 2008.
It is estimated that less than 250 buckles world-wide will require replacement. Do NOT order parts until the inspection determines the buckle requires replacement.
Condition
General Motors has decided that certain 2009 model year Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Saturn OUTLOOK vehicles fail to conform to Federal/Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 209, Seat Belt Assemblies. These vehicles may have been built with a safety belt buckle in the second or third row that is missing a rivet. In a vehicle crash, if the rivet is missing, the buckle may separate from the bracket. If this were to occur, the occupant would no longer be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.
Correction
Dealers/retailers are to inspect the safety belt buckles in the second and third rows, and replace them if necessary.
Vehicles 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 and Saturn dealers/retailers
- GM DealerWorld Recall Information
- Canadian GM/Saturn dealers/retailers - GMinfoNet Recall Reports - Export dealers - sent directly to dealers 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.
Parts Information
Service Procedure
Second row seats have either two steel strap mounted buckles (captain's chairs) or three steel strap mounted buckles (bench seat). Third row seats have two side-by-side steel strap mounted buckles at the right hand side.
SECOND ROW SEAT INSPECTION
Note:
The buckle (1) will NOT separate from the mounting strap unless the buckle assembly was assembled without a rivet. If the buckle assembly was assembled without a rivet, the buckle should separate from the mounting strap when approximately 20-30 pounds of force is applied to the buckle assembly. To ensure that the buckle assembly was assembled with a rivet, perform the buckle assembly tug test three times on each buckle assembly.
To perform the buckle assembly tug test, grasp the base of the buckle (1) and rock the buckle up and down while pulling the buckle upward or away from the seat with as much force as you can apply with your hand. The buckle assembly is designed to withstand more force than can be applied during the buckle assembly tug test. Perform the tug test three times on every seat buckle assembly in the second row.
^ If the buckle assembly does NOT separate, the buckle passes the inspection and no further action is required.
^ If the buckle assembly separates from the mounting strap, replacement of the buckle assembly is required. Refer to the appropriate seat buckle removal and installation procedure in SI.
Note:
Hold onto to the removed buckle assembly(s); you will receive a request for return from the Warranty Parts Center (WPC).
THIRD ROW SEAT INSPECTION
Note:
The buckle (2) will NOT separate from the steel mounting strap unless the buckle assembly was assembled without a rivet. If the buckle assembly was assembled without a rivet, the buckle should separate from the steel mounting strap when approximately 20-30 pounds of force is applied to the buckle assembly. To ensure that the buckle assembly was assembled with a rivet, perform the buckle assembly tug test three times on each buckle assembly.
To perform the buckle assembly tug test, insert the latch plate from the outboard seat belt into the buckle (2) and pull upward or away from the seat with as much force as you can apply with your hand. The buckle assembly is designed to withstand more force than can be applied during the buckle assembly tug test. Perform the tug test three times on every seat buckle assembly in the third row.
^ If the buckle assembly does NOT separate, the buckle passes the inspection and no further action is required.
^ If the buckle assembly separates from the mounting strap, replacement of the buckle assembly is required. Refer to the appropriate seat buckle removal and installation procedure in SI.
Note:
Hold onto to the removed buckle assembly(s); you will receive a request for return from the Warranty Parts Center (WPC).
Courtesy Transportation - For US and Canada
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 Warranties. 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 Canada retailers should refer to applicable Home Office letter on this subject.
Claim Information - GM, Saturn Canada Only
Claim Information - Saturn US Only
Customer Notification - For US and Canada
General Motors will notify customers of this recall on their vehicle (see copy of customer letter included with this bulletin).
Customer Notification - For Export
Letters will be sent to known owners of record located within areas covered by the US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. For owners outside these areas, dealers should notify customers using the sample letter.
Dealer Recall Responsibility - For US and Export (US States, Territories, and Possessions)
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.
Dealer Recall Responsibility - All
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.
Disclaimer