Front Seat Recliner - Inertia Lock Feature Deletion
File In Section: 10 - BodyBulletin No.: 53-16-15
Date: August, 1996
INFORMATION
Subject:
Elimination of the Inertia Lock Feature for the Front Seat Recliner
Models:
1996 Buick Skylark Coupe
1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Coupe
1996 Oldsmobile Achieva Coupe
1996 Pontiac Grand Am Coupe, Sunfire Coupe
The inertia lock feature of the front seat recliner has been eliminated from the following vehicles built after the VIN breakpoints listed:
J-Car
Chevrolet Pontiac
T7145765 (Lordstown) T7517569 (Lordstown)
TM106531 (Lansing) TB200860 (Genasys)
TB101034 (Genasys) TS847716 (Ramos)
TS847713 (Ramos)
N-Car
Buick Oldsmobile Pontiac
TC403647 TM303293 TC710245 and
TM502734
J-Car
For vehicles built before the above VIN breakpoints which have front seat recliners with the inertia lock feature, use P/N 16779872 for the non E-Z entry passenger seat recliner, P/N 16779874 for the E-Z entry passenger seat recliner, and P/N 16779875 for the driver seat recliner.
For vehicles built after the above VIN breakpoints which have front seat recliners without the inertia lock feature, please note the following:
^ Use P/N 16800034 for the non E-Z entry passenger seat recliner, P/N 16802910 for the E-Z entry passenger seat recliner and P/N 16802911 for the driver seat recliner.
^ The release latch located at the lower outer corner of the back side of the seatback must be lifted to fold the seatback to the forward position.
^ The service procedure to remove and replace the recliner has not changed.
^ Disregard any inertia lock information in Section 10-10 of the Service Manual.
N-Car
For vehicles built before the above VIN breakpoints which have front seat recliners with the inertia lock feature, use P/N 16780386 for the passenger seat recliner and P/N 16780387 for the driver seat recliner.
For vehicles built after the above VIN breakpoints which have front seat recliners without the inertia lock feature, please note the following:
^ Use P/N 16800068 for the passenger seat recliner and P/N 16802911 for the driver seat recliner.
^ The release latch located at the lower outer corner of the back side of the seatback must be lifted to fold the seatback to the position.
^ The service procedure to remove and replace the recliner has not changed.
^ Disregard any inertia lock information in Section 10-10 of the Service Manual.
Some owners may comment that their front seat does not operate as stated in the Owner's Manual. Advise the owner that the front seat recliner information in the Owner's Manual, which recommends the owner to simply push the front seatback to fold the seatback forward, does not apply to their vehicle. Advise the owner to lift the release latch to position the front seatback in the forward position.
Parts Information
Parts are currently available from GMSPO.