Seatbelt Recall - Interior - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

87CamLT · 02-05-2004, 10:20 AM

I don't know if this the right place to post this but, heres my question. Did anybody try to get the seatbelt recall done recently? I called Chevrolet and they told me after 4 days of research that the seatbelt recall is still in effect. They even gave me the part number for the repair kit to give to a dealer. I went to a dealer today and they said they didn't have record in there computer, which i told them Chevrolet didn't when i called them, but that it is on paper file. I gave them the person that helped me and told them to call him. They went and called "GM" and said that it never existed for my 87. I told them it was for all 82-89. He then changed his story and said it was only for certain Camaros, then he told me it was most likely already done by a previous owner and that they didn't need to do it. I told him it was never done because my belts are experanceing the same problems as specified in the recall. He then told me he would doit for a charge. I left after that. Any info would help very much.

MrDude_1 · 02-05-2004, 10:43 AM

there has to be a number at GM to file a complaint at the dealership.

id call until i found it.

Aviator857 · 02-05-2004, 11:11 AM

The dot has the recall listed on there site, mine has never had it done either, you can tell bc there is a little metal clip beside the button if has been done.

Here are the recall numbers for the seatbelts

Seat Belts: 172,863 1982 - Belt anchorages weak (82V-089);
738,485 1983-85 - Shoulder belt doesn't retract (85V-169);
34 1989 Camaro - Webbing on buckle too long (88V-191); 1,500,000 1984-90 - Sunlight weakens plastic buckle components (90V-105);
40,696 1991 - Metal latch plate won't engage buckle (91V-067);
1,573 1997 - Retractor locks on slopes (96V-219).

Ill see if I can find the site I am talking about.

Aviator857 · 02-05-2004, 11:15 AM

This isn't the site I was looking for but it has it listed,
http://www.autosafety.org/article.ph...mation+Package

Print out this page it is the letter they sent out, I think.

You can also look it up here this is the dot's goverments site this is what I was trying to find

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/

scroll down to saftey recalls

87CamLT · 02-05-2004, 11:21 AM

thanks for the info. I am going to write to GM and the Dealership with all the info.
Did anybody try getting it done recently? If someone did, did you have any problems.

Aviator857 · 02-05-2004, 11:33 AM

I plan on doing it this summer, since it is a safty repair, and if you car has never had it then they have to do it, safety recalls don't expire.

87CamLT · 02-05-2004, 12:19 PM

I think i might try another dealsrship with all the new info. If that dosen't work then GM is going to get some phone calls about there dealerships out here.

Aviator857 · 02-05-2004, 12:33 PM

Yea, some dealer ships don't know what they are talking about. I have a 89 formula that has VATS on it (Chip in the key) I went to go get a key made and the guy didn't want to make the key because he honestly beleived my car didn't have VATS on it. I had to argue with him for 10 mins b4 I was like just make the key I'll worry about if my car has it or not. LOL the guy pissed me off.

neubauej · 02-06-2004, 04:00 AM

I had the recall performed on my 89 formy last summer, the only hassle was they are only available in black now (my driver's side was completely broken and non-functional). However, provided yours still work, they should be able to just change the guts.

GTA4ME · 02-06-2004, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 87CamLT
thanks for the info. I am going to write to GM and the Dealership with all the info.
Did anybody try getting it done recently? If someone did, did you have any problems.

I did it last, I had no problems. They looked up my VIN, saw I needed the recall, and ordered the parts. The parts took about one week to get in. No cost to me (duh, recall) and the whole process took about 10 days.

icebird_1981 · 02-07-2004, 01:49 AM

holly crap, i had no clue are cars were that bad! "the Camaro/Firebird as the worst car in America" oh well i still luv mine....does anyone know if there was a recall for anything on 1983 Z28?? dont wanna start thinking i am as good as dead in any head on collision

Pearl Jammzz · 02-07-2004, 11:52 PM

what exactly is the recall for? what's the problem they have?

87CamLT · 02-09-2004, 12:50 PM

I have contacted Chevrolet over the phone and told them about what happened when i tried to get the work done. They were very upset and have contacted the dealership. They are currently looking at microfilm files to see if my car was done, and where. I don't think anything will show up because my seatbelt buckles are experanceing everything specified in the recall. They said if it was done, they would still look into replacing the buckles for me.

jcurrieirocz · 02-09-2004, 02:04 PM

I took my car to the dealer and got them to look into my car too. I knew mine didnt have the recal done before as my buttons were chalky kind of white colored. This is where the sunlight drys out the oils in the plastic button and it becomes brittle. Ive heard of ppl getting stuck not beaing able to unbucle there belts.
Ive heard of some dealers giveing other ppl a hard time as they have a hard time tracking down old info from our cars pre-computer filing as this means they may have to search thru piles and piles of papers to find the recal info and records.

The gm dealer ordered in all new (lower buckle parts) for me and installed them took them 1hr and 45mins to do it tho

anyhow al in all i was pissed they gave me 1 black one and 3 grey ones as they said there was no grey left. But i didnt bother talking it back in so. I dont know about what Aviator857 was talking about the metal thing i dont think i got that but i can tell my red buttons are different kind of plastic. They also didnt JUST replace the top part as the plastic caseing around the belt to hold it up was spliting so they replaced the whole buckle part right to the floor. It didnt cost me a think and i got a 87 like you so keep on there backs go in and talk to the manager or owner of the dealer!!!!! trust me theyll listen and once they learn gm is on there backs theyll order those parts and book you in to get them done like yesterday!
Good luck!
Jeff

oh yah when i recals done to your car theres a sticker put on it with a campaign id number this one is a 90V105000

GTA-SPD · 02-18-2004, 02:04 PM

I just talked to GM over the phone and the woman could not find any information at all about this recall. I even gave her the campaign # and still nothing. I'm doing some more research anf hopefully I'll get it figured out.

CamBody · 02-18-2004, 05:47 PM

I cannot believe how many owners of our cars have had problems with this recall issue! I myself tried the dealer today and was given the runaround. This recall is for safety standards not being met.....if they are losing money repairing their mistakes of the past that's their problem, not mine. They need to make this easier on us. We're the ones driving around hoping we don't get into an accident and are injured or worse because of their faulty equipment. I think it may be a great idea for all of us to start making more phone calls with our complaints to GM, so that someone can get a memo to ALL dealers that lets them know in writing about this recall.

This is just

jcurrieirocz · 02-18-2004, 09:37 PM

if media programs got a hold of this it would be crazy!!!! Anyone know of any good media sites i can right a letter to???

CamBody · 02-19-2004, 01:38 AM

Try Msnbc first.....then maybe FOX news? Both have such a wide-viewing audience it would be extremely embarrassing for all dealerships involved if word got out about them snubbing recallees like us who desperately (maybe even unknowingly), need these advancements in safety equipment and are being denied again and again. I think writing a letter to them is a great idea. The more, the merrier, and the more publicity this will receive. I myself was not even aware of the recall until I read this posty.....Thnx 87CamLT for giving us the heads up-big props to you

porkyzilla · 02-19-2004, 01:58 AM

i have an 89 iroc z i recently aquired and what exactly are the reqirments for the recall to be performed. both my driver side and passenger side does not retract the top shoulder part doesnt...ill check up on this tommorrow

87CamLT · 02-19-2004, 09:40 AM

I just wanted to update everyone on my progress. Two weeks ago after i called Chevy for the fourth time they led an investagation into the dealer. They told me to bring the car back so they can check for a compleation sticker. Surprise, they didn't find one. I then was told to call back two days later. After i got home that day i recived a phone call from Chevrolet. They told me it should go through and to contact the dealer, so they can take down some more info about the car so they can preform the work. The next day i called the dealer and i was told they didn't get the offical ok. They told me to expect a call in one or two days. By the third day i still didnt recive a phone call. I called them and was told that the head guy at GM who takes care of recalls still didn't approve it, and to expect a call in a few days. It has been a week and i am tired of the BS. I am going to Call Chevrolet today and let them know that if this isn't taken car of I am going to contact who ever it takes to get this done. I live in The NJ area and can contact the NY FOX station. They have a segment known as the problem solvers where they bring un wanted publicity to people such as the dealer i am dealing with. I in no way blam Chevrolet for this, this dealer is know to blow off old recalls. I have a friend who worked there and can testify to that fact.

3rdgenstm · 02-19-2004, 12:31 PM

Contact the NHTSA for help. If it is safety related recall, it is in effect for the life of the car. The dealer is just giving you the runaround.

87CamLT · 02-20-2004, 10:46 AM

If anyone is being givin problems by dealers call Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. They will help you. It will also let them know there are people who still need this work done.

87CamLT · 02-20-2004, 10:56 AM

I almost forgot. I have another update. I called Chevrolet yesterday. It seams that the person that was helping me was transfered to another department and nobody was assigned to follow up on it. I now have someone else working on it. They called the dealership and then called me back. They confirmed that the dealer is waiting for a call from a GM district office on the final ok. I will be reciving a call today between 11-1 with a yes or no. If i get a no i will ask when it was done and who did it. I wanted to know if anybody who had the work done if they can post a picture of there new belts so i can use them for comparision

DJP87Z28 · 02-20-2004, 11:24 AM

As I see this problem with the recall it is the most recent owners of these cars having problems. Most think they are going to get brand new seat belts installed, not true just internals of the buckles.
Since the original recall was about 1992, I can see GM's problems with all the follow on owners. I myself, as a original owner of 1987 Camaro, I did have the fix to the seatbelts made in the recall after I received the notice in 1992 or about.

Maybe other owners did not care as the cars were sold and just threw the notice away as not their problem anymore. However; I do agree that GM should honor the recall and the Dealers are at fault because its a pain the butt for them (but tough Sh-t for them). So call GM's Zone offices. But remenber the age of these cars.

Aviator857 · 02-20-2004, 11:59 AM

I have a diagram, not a picture this is a lot of the orginal paperwork on the recall

here

BTW: I dug this up on the NSTA site but its burried deep so I copyed it to a server I have access to.

EDIT: the diagrams on telling if its been replaced are on page 55, its a pdf so if you don't have acrobat reader you can get it free at adobe.com.

87CamLT · 02-20-2004, 12:29 PM

Thanks for the info Aviator857. I know that they only replace the buttons DJP87Z28, but thanks for letting everyone know. As for the cars being old, that shouldn't matter considering they have all the parts in stock. Some Chevrolet dealers just don't want to be bothered with this after over 10 years, but that is part of there job.

Mike92RS · 02-20-2004, 12:40 PM

I just read that first article posted, which says:

Quote:

Camaro/Firebird as the worst car in America

Quote:

The 1987-92's have GM's poorly designed, door mounted "automatic belt system" that may not prevent occupant ejection if a door opens in a crash.

(???)

Quote:

these cars have relatively good crashworthiness but very high fatality rates because they are muscle cars which are marketed to younger drivers with higher crash rates

First, I have never seen a thirdgen with door mounted automatic belt systems. Mine (92) has roof and floor mounted manual belts.

Plus they try to cite evidence of the car's quality which they even state is due to driver error and not the actual car.

- Mike

porkyzilla · 02-20-2004, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aviator857
I have a diagram, not a picture this is a lot of the orginal paperwork on the recall

here

BTW: I dug this up on the NSTA site but its burried deep so I copyed it to a server I have access to.

EDIT: the diagrams on telling if its been replaced are on page 55, its a pdf so if you don't have acrobat reader you can get it free at adobe.com.

can you find any information regarding the seatbelt retractors..thanks to you ill try going in with this stuff they were trying to tell me my car doesnt fall under the vin breakpoint. also maybe a direct link to the file would help thanks alot....

i have an 89 camaro irocz