Beginning with the 1987 model year, Federal law required General Motors to label certain parts, on selected cars, with the Vehicle IdentifiGation Number.
1987 Toronado, Ninety-Eight, Eighty-Eight.
1988 Toronado, Trofeo, Ninety-Eight, Eighty-Eight, Cutlass Supreme
1989 & 1990 Toronado, Trofeo, Touring Sedan, Ninety-Eight, Cutlass Supreme.
1991 Toronado, Trofeo, Eighty-Eight, Cutlass Supreme.
Additional models may be aff ected in future model years.
The Ninety Eight and Touring Sedan were granted a partial exemption beginning with the 1991 model year, due to the usage of "Pass Key". Only the engine and transaxle must be labeled. The certification label is still required as it is covered by a different regulation.
Any exemptions granted by the government for anti-theft labeling do not carry-back to prior model years. Hence the anti-theft labels on 1987-90 Ninety Eights and 1989-90 Touring Sedans must continue to be safe- guarded in the same manner as other vehicies which have anti-theft labeling (see the instructions below).
The purpose of this law is to deter vehicle theft and to make the tracing and recovery of stolen parts easier. These labels will be readily visible if the vehicle should be dismantled.
The label containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number will be permanently affixed to a surface of the part. Replacement parts must also have labels affixed to them. Replacement labels will have the letter "R", the manufacturer's logo, and the symbol "DOT."
The anti-theft label found on some major sheet metal, engines and transmissions must be masked prior to painting, rustproofing, undercoating, etc. The masking MUST be removed following the above operations. Failure to keep the label clean and readable may result in liability for violation of the Federal Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard, and subject the owner to possible suspicion that the part was stolen.
THESE LABELS ARE NOT TO BE REMOVED, DEFACED, OR COVERED OVER. The labels must be shielded from paint, rustproof, and undercoating (dealer prep included).
The labels will be on the following parts:
Engine and Transmission (may be stamped) Front and rear bumper assemblies Hood *Right and left front doors Right and left rear doors Right and left rear quarter panels Right and left front fenders Rear compartment lid/hatch/tailgate
*Certification label on driver's door qualifies as theft prevention label.
General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.