Recall - Driver's Airbag Module Replacement: Overview
File In Section: Product RecallsBulletin No.: 01052A
Date: January
PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL
THIS BULLETIN SUPERCEDES AND REPLACES RECALL BULLETIN 01052 ISSUED JULY, 2001. THE INVOLVED MODELS HAVE BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE 1999 MONTANA/TRANS SPORT.
SUBJECT:
01052A - DRIVER'S AIR BAG INFLATOR OVERPRESSURE
MODELS:
CERTAIN 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX AND MONTANA/TRANS SPORT
CAUTION
FOR VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS RECALL, DO NOT FOLLOW THE NORMAL PROCEDURE OF DEPLOYING REPLACED AIR BAG MODULES. DEPLOYMENT OF AN AIR BAG MODULE REPLACED UNDER THIS RECALL COULD CAUSE THE INFLATOR MODULE TO EXPLODE, AND COULD RESULT IN SEVERE INJURY FROM METAL AND PLASTIC DEBRIS.
To arrange for return of air bag modules removed from vehicles involved in this recall ONLY contact Delphi Interiors via telephone at (937)-356-2354. A Delphi representative will make arrangements to pick up and safely dispose of the modules. Removed modules should be stored in an area with limited access.
CONDITION
General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix and Montana/Trans Sport model vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator in these vehicles could produce excessive internal pressure. In the event of a crash that would trigger a driver's air bag deployment, the increased pressure can cause the inflator to explode. If an air bag inflator explodes, metal and plastic debris could cause severe injury to vehicle occupants.
CORRECTION
Dealers are to replace the driver's air bag module. Dealers are to provide or arrange for towing and comparable courtesy transportation.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix and Montana/Trans Sport model vehicles built within the VIN breakpoints shown.
IMPORTANT:
Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through GMVIS (GM Vehicle Inquiry System) or GM Access Screen (Canada only) before beginning recall repairs. [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.]
Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers with the recall bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow up with customers involved in this recall. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the recall bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.
These dealer listings may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this recall.
PARTS INFORMATION
Important:
Due to the small number of vehicles involved and limited initial parts availability, place orders per the following:
^ For U.S. - Replacement parts are on order control and a Customer Assistance case number will be required to release a part for each involved vehicle. If you have not already been contacted by the Customer Assistance Center, you must call them at 866-944-9090, to obtain a case number. Once you have a case number, call GMSPO at 1-800-433-6961 (8:30 AM to 5:00 PM ET) to order the replacement part. If parts are needed because of a collision or to complete other repairs, dealers must call GMSPO at 1-800-433-6961.
^ For Canada - Replacement parts are on order control and a Customer Communication Centre request number will be required to release a part for each involved vehicle. Dealers should contact the GM Customer Communication Centre at 1-800-263-3777 (English), 1-800-263-7854 (French) to obtain a request number.
CLAIM INFORMATION
Submit a Product Recall Claim with the information as shown.
Refer to the General Motors WINS Claims Processing Manual for details on Product Recall Claim Submission.
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
Customers will be notified of this recall on their vehicles by General Motors (see copy of customer letter shown in this bulletin).
IMPORTANT:
The Pontiac Customer Assistance Center will be contacting owners of the additional 1999 Pontiac Montana/Trans Sport vehicles via telephone advising them to park (do not drive) their vehicles. Owners will be advised that they will be contacted promptly by their dealer regarding the next steps involving their vehicles. Dealers are directed to immediately follow up with owners to arrange for towing the vehicle (do not drive the vehicle) to the dealer for service. Loaner/courtesy vehicles are to be offered to owners. Drop-off and pick-up service of the loaner/courtesy vehicle are also to be offered.
DEALER RECALL RESPONSIBILITY
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.
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. This could be done by mailing to such customers, a copy of the customer letter shown in this bulletin. 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