Recall - Rear Bench Seat Back Reinforcement: Overview

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Number: 91C09

Section: 10

Date: April, 1991


Subject:
PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN 91C09 REAR BENCH SEAT BACK STRENGTH


Model and Year:
1989-91 "G" VANS WITH REAR BENCH SEATS (RPO'S AQ3 OR AQ4)


To: All Chevrolet Dealers

The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended, provides that each vehicle which is subject to a recall campaign of this type must be adequately repaired within a reasonable time after the owner has tendered it for repair. A failure to repair within sixty (60) 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 owner 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 solutions, every effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each owner and to repair their vehicle as soon as possible. As you will see in reading the copy of the letter that is being sent to owners, the owners are being instructed to contact the Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center if their dealer does not remedy the condition within five (5) days of the mutually agreed upon service date. If the condition is not remedied within a reasonable time, they are instructed on how to contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DEFECT INVOLVED

General Motors has determined that the rear bench seats on certain 1989-91 "G" Vans fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 207, "Seating Systems". Should one of these vehicles become involved in an accident and there were passengers in the seat, the seat back frame could break and suddenly recline without supporting the loading specified in the Federal Standard. This could increase the likelihood of occupant injury.

In order to comply with FMVSS 207, and to correct this condition, dealers are to install reinforcements that run from the side of the seat back frame assembly to the seat cushion frame assembly. This will strengthen the seat back.