CAMPAIGN: FRONT SHOULDER BELT SEW STOP STUCK IN RETRACTOR

SUBJECT: FRONT SHOULDER BELT SEW STOP STUCK IN RETRACTOR

YEAR: 1990 - 1992

MODEL: TORONADO/TROFEO

TO: ALL OLDSMOBILE RETAILERS

The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended, provides that each vehicle 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 included copy of the letter that is being sent to owners, the owners are being instructed to contact OCAN (Oldsmobile Customer Assistance Network) if their retailer 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 decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1990 through 1992 Oldsmobile Toronado and Oldsmobile Toronado Trofeo model vehicles. These vehicles exhibit a condition where the front outer shoulder belt web sew stop may become stuck in the retractor. As a result, the belt can be difficult to pull out of the retractor and some occupants may even be unable to fasten the belt. In the event of a vehicle crash, unbelted occupants are more at significantly greater risk of injury than those using seat belts properly.

To correct this condition, retailers are to install a webbing stop button if the customer request repair.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

All 1990 through 1992 Oldsmobile Toronado and Oldsmobile Toronado Trofeo model vehicles within the breakpoints listed below: PLANT VIN THROUGH & YEAR MODEL MODEL NAME CODE BEGINNING INCLUDING -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1990 E TORONADO/TROFEO U LU300025 LU315022 1991 E TORONADO/TROFEO U MU300013 MU308053 1992 E TORONADO/TROFEO U NU300013 NU306436

All vehicles within the above breakpoints are involved.

All vehicles listed on the retailer printout will require inspection and/or correction. Campaign involvement, or campaign completion of any vehicle(s) in question, can be verified by utilizing VISS (Vehicle Information Service System).

IMPORTANT: NO FOLLOW-UP IS REQUIRED FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. CORRECTION IS ONLY To BE MADE AT THE CUSTOMERS REQUEST.

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number Listings. Computer listings contain the complete Vehicle Identification Number, owner name and address data, and are furnished to involved retailers with the campaign bulletin.

These listings may contain owner names and addresses obtained from State Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states. Any retailer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.

PARTS INFORMATION

During the week of June 26, 1995 an initial supply of two (2) sets of each button color will be pre-shipped to retail facilities. The parts will be charged to the retailer's open account.

To ensure that any additional parts your retail facility may require are obtained as soon as possible, order them from GMSPO (General Motors Service Parts Operations) on a C.I.O. order, with no special instruction code, but order on an advise code (2). All Goodwrench part system test retailers should order on a "VIP" order.

DESCRIPTION PART NUMBER QUANTITY per ----------- ----------- VEHICLE ------------ Shoulder belt webbing sew stop button - Graphite 12525166 1 (2 buttons kit) Shoulder belt webbing sew stop button - Medium Beige 12525169 1 (2 buttons Kit) Shoulder belt webbing sew stop button - Dark Auburn 12529738 1 (2 buttons kit)

The 1990 - 1992 Oldsmobile Toronado/Trofeo vehicles used a total of nine (9) interior trim colors. There are only three (3) different colors of web buttons available for this campaign. The following chart shows the recommended button color substitution to allow for de-proliferation from nine (9) to the three (3) button colors.

1990 -1992 OLDSMOBILE TORONADO/TROFEO INTERIOR TRIM USAGE & CAMPAIGN BUTTON COLOR SUBSTITUTION CHART

INTERIOR TRIM COLORS/RPO CODES ------------------------------ DARK MEDIUM SAPPHIRE MEDIUM SLATE MEDIUM MEDIUM MODEL GRAPHITE BLACK BLUE GRAY GRAY BEIGE ANTELOPE YEAR RPO 121 RPO 191 RPO 201 RPO 141 RPO 151 RPO 641 RPO 651 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1990 X X X X 1991 X X X X 1992 X X X X

SUBSTITUTE P/N: 12525166 12525166 12525166 12525166 12525166 12525169 12525169 COLOR: GRAPHITE GRAPHITE GRAPHITE GRAPHITE GRAPHITE MEDIUM MEDIUM BEIGE BEIGE

DARK GARNET DARK MODEL RED AUBURN YEAR RPO 781 RPO 681 ---------------------------- 1990 X X 1991 X 1992 X

SUBSTITUTE 12529738 12529738 P/N: DARK DARK COLOR: AUBURN AUBURN

IMPORTANT: ONLY ORDER ADDITIONAL PARTS BASED ON CUSTOMER RESPONSE. Do NOT ORDER PARTS BASED ON THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES ON THE VIN LISTING.

OWNER NOTIFICATION

Owners will be notified of this recall on their vehicles by Oldsmobile Division (see copy of the owner letter included with this bulletin).

RETAILER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY

Retailers 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.

Customers of vehicles recently sold from your used vehicle inventory with no customer information indicated on the retailer listing are to be contacted by the retailer, and notified of the campaign action. Campaign follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the owner may not as yet have received the notification letter.

In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign is taken into your used vehicle inventory, or it is in your retail facility for service in the future, please take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made, if the customer desires before selling or releasing the vehicle.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

IMPORTANT: This procedure is to be performed on both the right and left side front seat shoulder harness, even if the complaint is only on one side.

1. If the shoulder belt web sew stop is lodged in the retractor, give a quick tug on the shoulder belt to free the webbing.

2. Locate the upper edge of the sew stop and insert the pin half of the plastic button into the center of the shoulder harness webbing (see Figure 1).

3. Align other button half to the pin portion.

4. Press the two halves together firmly with fingers or pliers.

5. Snip or break off the remaining portion of the pin that extends through the second half of the button.

IMPORTANT: Check and make sure no sharp protrusions exists that could catch on clothing. Correct as required.

6. Repeat steps 1 through 5 on other side.

7. Install a Campaign Identification Label.

CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL

Each label provides space to include the subject corporate campaign number and the Oldsmobile retailer identification code of the retailer completing the campaign service. This information must be inserted with a ball point pen. Servicing retailers are to ensure that these numbers are recorded and the label is properly affixed on a clean, dry surface of the radiator core support in an area clearly visible when the hood is raised. This label is to be used in conjunction with a clear protective plastic cover which will also be provided to retailers when labels are ordered. Additional labels and covers are available at no charge to you in sheet stock of forty nine (49) per sheet from the following source:

VISPAC, INCORPORATED 35000 INDUSTRIAL ROAD LIVONIA, MICHIGAN 48150

Phone: 1-800-269-5100 (Monday - Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Eastern Standard Time)

Important: Refer to Item Number S-1015 when ordering GM Campaign Identification Labels.

OWNER REIMBURSEMENT

Current or prior owners may request reimbursement for prior replacement of the left or right front seat belt assembly. They must submit original documentation that reasonably confirms the amount of unreimbursed repair expenses, a description of the repair, the date of the repair, and the person or entity who performed the repair to receive reimbursement.

Claims for customer reimbursement on previously paid repairs are to be submitted according to the Warranty Claim Information instructions. Use the "Owner Reimbursement" labor operation and list all owner expenses concerning previous repairs in the net items column of the warranty claim.

NOTE: When a customer requests reimbursement, and the vehicle is still available, retailers are to inspect and repair, if necessary, as called for in the SERVICE PROCEDURE of this bulletin. Until the involved vehicle is inspected and repaired, if necessary, the campaign must remain open regardless of any reimbursement.

WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION

NOTE: THE ONE TENTH HOUR (.1 HR) ADMINISTRATION ALLOWANCE IS NOW INCLUDED IN THE LABOR HOURS TIME.

Submit claims using the appropriate "V" Labor operation(s) below for each vehicle:

TOTAL FAILURE LABOR LABOR OPERATION PARTS CODE OPERATION HOURS* --------- -------------------------------- Install Snap-On Webbing Stop Button on 1 96 V9630 .3 Front Seat Shoulder Harness - Both Sides Customer Reimbursement for Prior Front - 96 T2600 .2 Outer Seat Belt Replacement

*Administration Allowance: .1 hour for clerical administration is included in the time listed in the "Labor Hours" column.

Parts Allowance: Current retailer price, plus 30% allowance for handling.

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

REASON FOR THIS SAFETY RECALL: General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1990 through 1992 Oldsmobile Toronado and Oldsmobile Toronado Trofeo model vehicles. These vehicles exhibit a condition where the front outer shoulder belt web sew stop may become stuck in the retractor. As a result, the belt can be difficult to pull out of the retractor and some occupants may even be unable to fasten the belt. In the event of a vehicle crash, unbelted occupants are more at significantly greater risk of injury than those using seat belts properly.

Note: The shoulder belt web sew stop is the raised stitching area on the belt.

ACTION: Most Oldsmobile Toronado and Toronado Trofeo model vehicles do not have this condition. However, if you have ever found it hard to pull either the driver or right front passenger shoulder belt out to buckle the safety belt, or should you ever experience this in the future, please contact your Oldsmobile retailer and have the retailer install front shoulder belt stop buttons. This service will be performed for you at no charge.

HOW TO INSPECT YOUR BELTS FOR THIS CONDITION: If you are not sure your Oldsmobile Toronado or Toronado Trofeo has this condition, you can easily inspect it by following the inspection procedure below.

INSPECTION PROCEDURE FOR SHOULDER BELT WEB SEW STOP

Perform the following procedure five (5) times on both the driver's and right front passenger's shoulder belts.

1. Hold the shoulder belt latch plate in one hand and pull the shoulder belt all the way out with the opposite hand.

2. At full extension, move the belt webbing to minimize contact to the head rest guide loop.

3. Allow the webbing to retract as fast as possible while keeping the latch plate in your hand to prevent its weight from slowing the webbing down.

If the web sew stop becomes stuck in the retractor during one of these checks making the shoulder belt hard to pull out again, contact your Oldsmobile retailer to have the web stop buttons installed.

If both belts work properly, no repair is necessary.

CONTACTING YOUR OLDSMOBILE RETAILER: To bring your Oldsmobile Toronado or Toronado Trofeo in, please contact your Oldsmobile retailer to arrange a service date. Your retailer will need to know the color of your safety belts when you make this contact. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your retailer and parts are available. The labor time necessary for your retailer to install the webbing stop buttons is approximately fifteen (15) minutes. Please ask your Oldsmobile retailer if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed to schedule and process your vehicle.

Your Oldsmobile retailer is best equipped to obtain parts and provide service to promptly correct your vehicle. However, if you take your vehicle to your retailer on the agreed service date, and they do not remedy this condition then or within five days, we suggest you call Oldsmobile Customer Assistance (1-80O-442-6537). Deaf, hearing impaired, or speech impaired persons with telecommunications devices for the deaf (TDD/TTY) may contact Oldsmobile Customer Assistance at 1-800-TDD-OLDS (1-800-833-6537). They will assist you and the retailer in getting your vehicle corrected.

After contacting your retailer and Oldsmobile Customer Assistance, if you are still not satisfied that we have done our best to remedy this condition without charge and within a reasonable time, you may write the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590 or call 800-424-9393 (Washington, D.C. residents call 366-0123).

CUSTOMER REIMBURSEMENT FOR PRIOR FRONT OUTER SAFETY BELT REPLACEMENT: If you already paid for some or all of the cost to have a front outer safety belt replaced due to this condition, prior to receipt of this letter, you may contact your Oldsmobile retailer service department to seek reimbursement. Please provide your retailer with your original paid receipts or invoices verifying the repair, the amount charged, proof of your payment and date of payment of those charges by December 31, 1995, (this limitation for presenting the receipt may be longer depending upon the law in your state).

OWNER REPLY CARD: The enclosed owner reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your retailer will assist in making the necessary correction in the shortest possible time. If you have sold or traded your vehicle, please let us know by completing the postage paid reply card and returning it to us.

We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action for your safety and continued satisfaction with our products.

OLDSMOBILE DIVISION General Motors Corporation

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.