C4 Seat Belt Recall

[TedC]

I highly recommend checking out this URL for info on any recalls for your vette. Corvette Campaigns and Service Bulletins by the NHTSA - Corvette Action Center

Over the winter I searched for any information on my 1989. Then called my dealership to discover that the seat belt recall was still open. They would need to see the car to pull part numbers and find color codes. Now that the roads are salt free, I took the vette into the dealership, and they just ordered the parts. They will be replacing both driver and passanger seat belts. Go GM .

 

[Black Bart]

I highly recommend checking out this URL for info on any recalls for your vette. Corvette Campaigns and Service Bulletins by the NHTSA - Corvette Action Center

Over the winter I searched for any information on my 1989. Then called my dealership to discover that the seat belt recall was still open. They would need to see the car to pull part numbers and find color codes. Now that the roads are salt free, I took the vette into the dealership, and they just ordered the parts. They will be replacing both driver and passanger seat belts. Go GM .

What is the problem with the belt.

 

[CorvetteArchives]

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s): CHEVROLET / CORVETTE 1984-1991
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 91V143000 Summary:UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATIONS AND OCCUPANT USAGE CONDITIONS, THE SAFETY BELTS CAN LOCKUP OR JAM IN THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR. Consequence:IF LOCKUP OCCURS, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PULL BELT OUT OFTHE RETRACTOR. THE OCCUPANT OF A SEAT WITH AN UNUSABLE SAFETY BELT ISSUBJECT TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT. Remedy:REPLACE THE SAFETY BELTS IF THE LOCKUP OCCURS. Notes:SYSTEM: SAFETY BELTS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.
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[CorvetteArchives]

Short summary: The "Cinch" button jams

I've found you can wiggle the cover and the belt and it will release anyway.
Of course replacement is best!

 

[ZumZum]

Safety related recalls usually don't have an expiration date.

 

[TedC]

ZumZum, You are correct about safety recalls. I was concerned with the current situation at GM. Dealership told me that GM is obligated to fix as long as they are in business. GM is not obligated to match color, and can substitute a non OEM part as stock is depleated. Some of the orginal colors are longer available. Mine came from the factory with medium gray which is no longer available. They now use a common gray that still maintains the GM branded latch, look and feel.

 

[BADRACR]

I pulled up the ones for my 84. It showed the seat belt and five more. I called the dealership & they ran my VIN. According to them my VIN is not in the range for the recalls listed.

 

[CorvetteArchives]

ZumZum, You are correct about safety recalls. I was concerned with the current situation at GM. Dealership told me that GM is obligated to fix as long as they are in business. GM is not obligated to match color, and can substitute a non OEM part as stock is depleated. Some of the orginal colors are longer available. Mine came from the factory with medium gray which is no longer available. They now use a common gray that still maintains the GM branded latch, look and feel.

Thanks Ted! Ours is Medium grey too and that was EXACTLY what I was wondering if they still had them or if replacements looked appropriate! Could you please post a few picks so you we can see the difference when it gets done?
BTW, will they let you keep the old belts? There still would be market for then on Ebay for restoration.

 

[TedC]

I'll try and snap an image with the the medium gray and gray belts together. Will also ask the dealer what happens to the old ones. Dealer ordered the new belts yesterday after I gave them my ok with the alternative color. Not sure when they will arrive, but they did verify the replacements are in stock for both driver and passanger side.

 

[TedC]

Update... Just dropped off the Vette at the Chevy dealership. I asked them to save one of the belts so I can snap an image to compare the two grays. Removed belts must be returned to GM.

 

[TedC]

Here are the images of the two different grays... Medium Gray (stock color) on the passanger side and Gray (alternative color since Medium gray is no longer available). The new gray belt is lighter in color.

 

[Fullback32]

Appreciate this thread. I just called our Chevy dealer here and found out that there are 3 open recalls on my '89! :ugh Taking her in Monday.

 

[Lyel87]

Appreciate this thread. I just called our Chevy dealer here and found out that there are 3 open recalls on my '89! :ugh Taking her in Monday.

I am new to this board so I hope I am doing this properly. I just acquired a 1987 Corvette and when I contacted the Chevy dealer in McKinney, TX, they said even though the Seat Belt Recall campaign is still active, Chevy has no more stock and will not be manufacturing any more replacement seat belts. Does anyone know if this relieves Cheverolet of their liability or is there some national authority I should contact to force this issue with Cheverolet?

 

[Fullback32]

I honesty don't know about the seat belts. From what they guy at the Chevy place said, they would still replace the seat belts albeit it may have ended up being a slightly different shade than was in the car. I took mine in and they said my seat belts were fine and did not need the repair. I have no idea if they would use what ever they had in stock (if any), or try to get C5 belts to fit, or order after market. Now, were they being honest? I don't know. They did fix the emissions recall though. That being said, I solved the whole problem by selling the '89 and getting a 2004 C5.

 

[CorvetteArchives]

I am new to this board so I hope I am doing this properly. I just acquired a 1987 Corvette and when I contacted the Chevy dealer in McKinney, TX, they said even though the Seat Belt Recall campaign is still active, Chevy has no more stock and will not be manufacturing any more replacement seat belts. Does anyone know if this relieves Cheverolet of their liability or is there some national authority I should contact to force this issue with Cheverolet?

Thats total BS on their part. Probably a crummy dealership. Did they even ask for your VIN# to see if the campaign was "open" on your particular vehicle? They ARE required by LAW to replace it ...if its defective. They probably will argue that your's arent defective or was already replaced (see Pontiac story below) . They dont have to supply the correct COLOR...or even probably a similar one so a generic black or other color might be the "only" remedy. However, they do sell them in the aftermarket in colors....go figure!

Legal remedy? Years ago I had a problem with Pontiac honoring a recall on our Sunfire Headlight switch. I contacted the National Highway Transportation Board and they issued a case number and assigned an investigator who apparently sent them a "Nasty Gram" and they sent me a switch that I installed myself.
The PROBLEM was that it broke YET AGAIN yet is NOT covered under recall. Why? The "new" redesigned part has a new part number and the original one was already replaced. Despite the new one also being defective that particular part isnt actually under recall since the percentage of reported/documented failure hasnt resulted in THAT part # being recalled! Thats what the NHTSB said! Legal BS! All I could do the second time was file a complaint and pony up the $ for a new one.

 

[CorvetteArchives]

Here are the images of the two different grays... Medium Gray (stock color) on the passanger side and Gray (alternative color since Medium gray is no longer available). The new gray belt is lighter in color.

Still that looks darn good! Thanks for all the follow up info!

 

[ZumZum]

However, they do sell them in the aftermarket in colors....go figure!

I haven't been able to find anyplace that sells aftermarket seat belts for the C4. Do you have a source or a link?

 

[TedC]

Let me address some of the comments made.
1. This is a safety recall, GM must fix it. I've found some Chevy dealerships just don't care about these real old recalls. GM is not obligated to replace with the same color, but my dealership kept me appraised at each step what colors they could order, and if I wanted to proceed. Recall/ordering instructions printed like a book, so it does require time for the service department to do this correctly.
2. I've seen OEM seat belts in Eckler's catalog with instuctions to call for pricing and availability.
3. New belts look great and work really smooth. The buckle side has matching gray covers with a blue belt underneath on the drivers side. Didn't look on passanger side.

 

[vdogamr]

Appreciate this thread. I just called our Chevy dealer here and found out that there are 3 open recalls on my '89! :ugh Taking her in Monday.

Sorry for asking this months later, but what were all the recalls?

My dealership seemed to be very willing to fix this problem once I brought to their attention, and very willing to ignore problems I don't. It actually made me very mad when I found out about this recall since I bought the car from a Chevy dealership. It just seems like a selling point, if they could also say "and here is everything we already fixed on your car free of charge."

 

[joshwilson3]

I had the seat belts replaced in my 89 a couple of years ago under the recall. They are black. And the dealer some how was able to find me some black belts as they were only able to find gray and red belts.

I do wonder. Are these new belts a new design that doesn't have the lock up problem? Or are they the same belt design and will start to fail again?

I do think it would be a good idea on these older cars if someone knows what the problem is with the seat belt to cause the lock up, and rebuild it.