Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Recall 97V032000: Rocker Panel Welds

Year: 1997
Make: CHEVROLET, PONTIAC
Model: CAVALIER, SUNFIRE
Year of Recall: '98
Type of Report: Vehicle
Potential Number of Units Affected: 8
Summary:

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles. These vehicles were built with mis-located welds at the joint between the left rocker panel inner reinforcement and the body side ring. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 214, "Side Door Strength."

In the event of a vehicle crash, the sheet metal structure would not perform as desired increasing the risk of personal injury.

Dealers will inspect the welds and, if necessary, place five welds between the involved panels and apply primer and topcoat finish materials.

Owner notification is expected to begin during March 1998. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737. Also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).