C4 Seat Belt Recall

[CharlesBrown]

A phone call to the NTSB resulted in the following...
Question: Does a recall have an expiration date?
Answer, No. However, the manufacturer is not "required" to make the repair.

 

[joshwilson3]

A phone call to the NTSB resulted in the following...
Question: Does a recall have an expiration date?
Answer, No. However, the manufacturer is not "required" to make the repair.

Hmm. I thought they were required to? Kinda defeats the whole point of it if the manufacturer doesn't even have to fix it. I would call back and ask someone else.

 

[TedC]

A phone call to the NTSB resulted in the following...
Question: Does a recall have an expiration date?
Answer, No. However, the manufacturer is not "required" to make the repair.

This is different than the infomation GM provided. Safety recalls do not expire, GM must repair if recall applies, GM not required to match seat belt color.

 

[joshwilson3]

This is different than the infomation GM provided. Safety recalls do not expire, GM must repair if recall applies, GM not required to match seat belt color.

Yeah, that is the way I understand it too. I think he neglected to mention it was a "safety" recall.

 

[vdogamr]

Can't find any belts of any color

So I called my dealership back at the beginning of December and they said they would get back to me when they found the parts. I called them back a few days ago, and they said they can't find any belts of any color. They said I need to come in so they can take part numbers so they can look for those specific parts. That sounds weird to me that they want to narrow the search when they can't find anything.

My question is: Is all this supposed to be free? I found belts from J&D Corvette for $190 each. Could I just direct them to that? Do I have to pay for either parts or labor?

Also my belt pulls out just fine, but it remains slack 75% of the time. Is that the same problem? It also seems to fold and get jammed in the slot, which is easily fixed by reaching down there and unfolding it. I am just concerned that they are going to do work on my car, and THEN say, "That wasn't the recall issue so here is the bill."

 

[joshwilson3]

So I called my dealership back at the beginning of December and they said they would get back to me when they found the parts. I called them back a few days ago, and they said they can't find any belts of any color. They said I need to come in so they can take part numbers so they can look for those specific parts. That sounds weird to me that they want to narrow the search when they can't find anything.

My question is: Is all this supposed to be free? I found belts from J&D Corvette for $190 each. Could I just direct them to that? Do I have to pay for either parts or labor?

Also my belt pulls out just fine, but it remains slack 75% of the time. Is that the same problem? It also seems to fold and get jammed in the slot, which is easily fixed by reaching down there and unfolding it. I am just concerned that they are going to do work on my car, and THEN say, "That wasn't the recall issue so here is the bill."

Are they new from J&D?

I believe you can get them and have them installed and have GM reimburse you. But would probably be easier if the dealer gets the parts and installs them.

 

[vdogamr]

They don't say if they are new.

So I just got off the phone with the Dealer's service center. They wanted me to bring it in to get part numbers. They called me back about an hour after dropping it off to tell me thet the retractor I require is discontinued, they have to order parts form GM (who does not have them), and there is near zero chance that any other dealer would have the part I need. They also said the retractor is not a servicable part. So it sounds like I am screwed and out of luck.

If it is the retractor, I think I saw one online the other day. What do you all think? Is there anyway I can fix this on my own. Should I buy the seatbelts online, and just install those?

I could just try another dealer. But, I really wanted to make this place do the free work since the salesman pretty much lied to me when I asked if it was in mechanically good condition. Should have had a 3rd part mechanic look at it, but that is a whole different topic.

 

[joshwilson3]

They don't say if they are new.

So I just got off the phone with the Dealer's service center. They wanted me to bring it in to get part numbers. They called me back about an hour after dropping it off to tell me thet the retractor I require is discontinued, they have to order parts form GM (who does not have them), and there is near zero chance that any other dealer would have the part I need. They also said the retractor is not a servicable part. So it sounds like I am screwed and out of luck.

If it is the retractor, I think I saw one online the other day. What do you all think? Is there anyway I can fix this on my own. Should I buy the seatbelts online, and just install those?

I could just try another dealer. But, I really wanted to make this place do the free work since the salesman pretty much lied to me when I asked if it was in mechanically good condition. Should have had a 3rd part mechanic look at it, but that is a whole different topic.

I believe when they say "retractor" they are talking about the whole seat belt unit. Which means if you can't find one new. You'll have to get a used one and hope it hasn't started locking up. I doubt GM will reimburse you for a used seat belt vs. if you got a new one.

I would call other dealers, give them the part numbers, and see if they can find the parts for you.

 

[roger longman]

Hi all, So what is going on here ? When I phoned GM, some months ago, they couldn't have been more helpful ! They confirmed the recall of the belts and another part, I believe related to the rear suspension, ( I need to loook out my paperwork). It was from the dealer, Power Chevrolet, with whom I had the problem. My guilt is in procrastination, I should have stayed on top of it. Have things changed since then ? By dint of their being safety recalls they cannot expire, as pointed out by others. Does anyone have information to which the public is not a party ? HELP ! Roger.

 

[joshwilson3]

Hi all, So what is going on here ? When I phoned GM, some months ago, they couldn't have been more helpful ! They confirmed the recall of the belts and another part, I believe related to the rear suspension, ( I need to loook out my paperwork). It was from the dealer, Power Chevrolet, with whom I had the problem. My guilt is in procrastination, I should have stayed on top of it. Have things changed since then ? By dint of their being safety recalls they cannot expire, as pointed out by others. Does anyone have information to which the public is not a party ? HELP ! Roger.

What is the recall with the rear suspension? Never heard of that one.

 

[roger longman]

What is the recall with the rear suspension? Never heard of that one.

Hi , Reads as follows: Involved are crtain Chevrolet Corvette model vehicles built within the following VIN breakpoints : Y 1988, Plant Bowling Green , FROM J5100001 THROUGH J5122789......Y1989, FROM K5100001 THROUGH K5126328...........An attached drawing, appears to me, to show a tie rod,with the following notation : FATIGUE FRACTURE OF INBOARD JOINT THREADED PORTION OF STUD.....Prior to this it states : DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY : " Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to owners, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward". ...There is no date on the copy I have. Roger.

 

[joshwilson3]

Hi , Reads as follows: Involved are crtain Chevrolet Corvette model vehicles built within the following VIN breakpoints : Y 1988, Plant Bowling Green , FROM J5100001 THROUGH J5122789......Y1989, FROM K5100001 THROUGH K5126328...........An attached drawing, appears to me, to show a tie rod,with the following notation : FATIGUE FRACTURE OF INBOARD JOINT THREADED PORTION OF STUD.....Prior to this it states : DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY : " Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to owners, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward". ...There is no date on the copy I have. Roger.

I will have to look into that since my 89 is in range. Do you have a campaign number for that?

Here's a campaign I found.

Print Article - 1988 - 1989: Product Campaign: Evaporative Emission Hoses

Where do you go to look up these campaigns for your vehicle? I say it would be a good idea to do that.

 

[roger longman]

I will have to look into that since my 89 is in range. Do you have a campaign number for that?

Here's a campaign I found.

Print Article - 1988 - 1989: Product Campaign: Evaporative Emission Hoses

Where do you go to look up these campaigns for your vehicle? I say it would be a good idea to do that.

Hi, Found it ! ...NHTSA no. 90V032000........MFR's REPORT DATE..Feb '05 1990......"REAR WHEEL TIE ROD ASS. MAY FATIGUE AND COULD FRACTURE AT INBOARD BEARING DUE TO HIGH INNER JOINT ROCKING TORQUE"......" COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING". Same vin no's. This is scary ! Roger.

 

[vdogamr]

Hi all, So what is going on here ? When I phoned GM, some months ago, they couldn't have been more helpful !

When you say "phoned GM" do you mean a local dealer or some company representative?

Basically my dealer said that GM discontinued the part and there was nothing they could do for me. I wonder if there is a GM parts center I could call and see if they have a part they could send to the Dealer.

I wonder if I should even worry about trying to get this dealer to handle the suspension. It may just be best to find a better dealer.

 

[joshwilson3]

Hi, Found it ! ...NHTSA no. 90V032000........MFR's REPORT DATE..Feb '05 1990......"REAR WHEEL TIE ROD ASS. MAY FATIGUE AND COULD FRACTURE AT INBOARD BEARING DUE TO HIGH INNER JOINT ROCKING TORQUE"......" COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING". Same vin no's. This is scary ! Roger.

How can you find if the repairs were done? And if they weren't, would GM even fix them since it is out of warranty?

 

[joshwilson3]

When you say "phoned GM" do you mean a local dealer or some company representative?

Basically my dealer said that GM discontinued the part and there was nothing they could do for me. I wonder if there is a GM parts center I could call and see if they have a part they could send to the Dealer.

I wonder if I should even worry about trying to get this dealer to handle the suspension. It may just be best to find a better dealer.

Yeah, go talk to another dealer. The dealer is the key to getting this repair fixed. I would also call GM or whoever government agency handles vehicle recalls and tell them the dealer isn't fixing your safety recall.

 

[roger longman]

When you say "phoned GM" do you mean a local dealer or some company representative?

Basically my dealer said that GM discontinued the part and there was nothing they could do for me. I wonder if there is a GM parts center I could call and see if they have a part they could send to the Dealer.

I wonder if I should even worry about trying to get this dealer to handle the suspension. It may just be best to find a better dealer.

No, I spoke to someone at GM. I can't find my note at this time but isn't the NHTSA action no. and General Motors bulletin document quote, regarding Compaign responsibility, age, mileage, ownership and non expiration sufficient proof ? Roger.

 

[joshwilson3]

Hi, Found it ! ...NHTSA no. 90V032000........MFR's REPORT DATE..Feb '05 1990......"REAR WHEEL TIE ROD ASS. MAY FATIGUE AND COULD FRACTURE AT INBOARD BEARING DUE TO HIGH INNER JOINT ROCKING TORQUE"......" COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING". Same vin no's. This is scary ! Roger.

I believe I found the pdf file for that recall. GM can't find it in their system. So, I believe they are trying to say it doesn't exist.

http://nhthqnwws111.odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/docservlet/Artemis/Public/Recalls/1990/V/RC-90V032-NN.PDF

 

[vdogamr]

I believe I found the pdf file for that recall.

HA!

It says right there in the PDF:
"Whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign is taken into your new or used vehicle inventory, or it is in your dealership for service in the future, you should take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before reselling or releasing the vehicle." - Section 3D pg2

I knew I had good reason to be upset. So if I wanted to call GM about this, how whould I go about doing that. Their "contact us" on their website isn't very helpful.

 

[joshwilson3]

HA!

It says right there in the PDF:
"Whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign is taken into your new or used vehicle inventory, or it is in your dealership for service in the future, you should take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before reselling or releasing the vehicle." - Section 3D pg2

I knew I had good reason to be upset. So if I wanted to call GM about this, how whould I go about doing that. Their "contact us" on their website isn't very helpful.

You can call them at 1-800-222-1020 if you want. My VIN falls within the VIN breakpoint. But they say my car isn't in the recall. I didn't really understand that. But I don't see how they can have something pin pointed to know each specific vehicle which is affected in the VIN breakpoint.