ReddyK

I would skip the dealer and call Gm directly at 1-800-222-1020 and give them your vin to see if there are any open recalls on your car. Mine was not showing any open recalls and has not had the seat belts fixed. That is my problem now. I have calls in to NHSTA and am waiting for a reply to see if they can force GM to look at my car to see if the belts were fixed.
I'll let you all know what i come up with. I think out of 1.6 million cars affected by this recall they could have missed a couple.
Thanks Steve

86WS6_T/A

See, I know for a fact that my car was never fixed because I bought my car from the second owner and he purchased the car in 1988. Yet the dealership tells me they won't do it because they have no records of a seatbelt recall....

ReddyK

Call the 800 number they will schedule the appiontment for you. The dealer has no choice if they want to stay in good standing with GM. I've had other work done through customer service and all the dealer said was "thank you, sir."
It makes a differance if they will schedule for you.
Regards,
Steve

GTA-SPD

I've been in contact with GM for over 2 weeks. The woman I've delt with is very nice and extrememly helpful. All of that aside, she couldn't even find the seat belt recall info in general. I had called to see what was what, and she looked up my VIN. Nothing. I told her exactly what the recall should cover and still nothing. She then started over, without my VIN, and looked up all recals for the Firebird line. Lot's of entries over the years, but not one recal listed for anything older than 93. Odd, I told her. That was the first year of the new body. She agreed and told me she'd look deeper and get back to me. She got back in touch with me, and said that there wasn't anything that she could do to help, since there is absolutely no mention of the recal in their database. I sent her to the link at the NHTSA and she said that she still couldn't find the info inside GM. She suggested that I take the printout from that site to my dealer and try that.

With all this BS, i think I'll just install 4th Gen belts, or 5-points, and be done with it.

okfoz

Will a 4th gen reciever work with 3rd gen seatbelts?

John

87CamLT

VICTORY... I called Chevrolet last week and told them i was getting tired of the run around and that i was going to call my local FOX station about this. I recived a call the next day saying the recall will be done. I just need to call the dealership i have been dealing with. I will do that today. I will let you all know what happens.

porkyzilla

iTrader: (1)

i am gonna do this....

87 B4Z TPI 5Spd

Here is an excerpt from NHTSA site. Appears that time limitation is 10 years. After that you are on your own. Correct?

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr...allprocess.cfm

Are There Any Limitations on My Right to Have My Vehicle Remedied at No Charge?

Yes. There is a limitation based on the age of the vehicle. In order to be eligible for free remedy, the vehicle cannot be more than 10 years old on the date the defect or non-compliance is determined. Under the law, the age of the vehicle is calculated from the date of sale to the first purchaser. For example, if a defect is found in 2003 and a recall ordered, manufacturers are required to make the correction available at no charge only to cars purchased new in 1994 through 2003. However, consumers should realize that even though manufacturers are not obligated to remedy safety defects in older cars, a safety problem may still exist. If you receive notification of a defect on a vehicle older than 10 years, take the responsibility to have your car repaired at your own expense. Eliminate any unnecessary safety risks.

mckenzie

amen

jcurrieirocz

i dont care what that limitation says....seatbelts are safty related and have been honored at many dealers way more then 10yrs later w/o a hitch...the problem is lazy ppl dont want to move off there soo called updated computers to find the recall info and paperwork in a pile of old boxes.

And for thoes ppl who walk out of the dealer and have been told theres nothing they can find blah blah blah is cr@p because you should stand up to them tell them to get the manager or get whoever they need to because you KNOW FOR A FACT your car is unsafe and theres a seatbelt recal on it and you dont care if they cant find the paperwork fact is your seat belts are unsafe. Dont give in to them......ive seen sooooo many ppl get turned down at there dealer....but then again how come my dealer took the time to find there recall sheet even tho there was nothing about a recall on there computer???? I had no problem really at my dealer......

Now if the case is they wont fix the belts because they dont make the parts anymore and they admit you need to recive the recall THEN id be calling fox and giving them this link to this thread and if you wanted you could check at many boards incuding this one in the search function and find old threads with other ppl having problems with gm also and youll have overwelming amont of ppl who been "blownoff" by gm being lazy.

87CamLT

My car is at the dealership as i type getting the recall work done. Chevrolet has told me that ther recalls DO NOT EXPIRE. If someone needs to get the work done, just stay on Chevrolets backs.

87CamLT

I couldn't be happier. MY seatbelts now have nice bright red buttons. They also add metal clips that hang off the side(that is one way to tell if the recall was done. I also have a compleation sticker under the hood.

IROCtheRoad

I just came back from my chevrolet dealer and they had never heard of a recall for my 89. I then told I knew there was one so they called chevrolet and asked them directly, and chevrolet also told them that there was never a recall for my car. What should I do? Please give me some advice

porkyzilla

iTrader: (1)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2464805439 for parts

in here is a link how to do the repair process go through the pages this is everything you need to know http://www.westga.edu/~stu53821/firebird/seatBelt.pdf,

87 B4Z TPI 5Spd

The information provided is excellent.

Some or all may be repeat on TGO, but it's such an important topic that none of us should ever hesitate to repeat it for other noobs (like myself) in the future.

Thanks much.

400Z28Racer

iTrader: (4)

I have the same problem on my 84 Z28 and my 85 IROC. the dealer and GM turned me down. I almost cracked my head open when I had to slam on the brakes because the seat belt did not lock into place. SO I am willing to sell all my Chevy cars(6 vehicle) and buy Ford instead.

IROCtheRoad

How dare you speak such blasphemy!?!

tom3

Got a two year old Blazer with 13,000 miles on it, can't even get that damn thing fixed right. GM is cutting way back on repairs so good luck with a recall repair on a 15 year old car.

Pearl Jammzz

My seatbelts dont always "lock". they will lock into the clip-in area but wont lock into place (I can just move my seatbelt in and out the whole time).

Does this have anything to do w/ the seatbelt recall?

okfoz

Probably,
The way you can tell, the fixed seatbelts have a metal clip that is visiable, the originals did not.

I will try to get pix from my cars later today.

John

87CamLT

The recall is just for the pudh buttons. My seatbelts also do not lock. That isn't covered in the recall. Does anybody know how to fix seatbelts so they lock when you break hard or hit something?

87CamLT

I ment Push Buttons, not pudh buttons.

Pearl Jammzz

Ya, sumtimes they decide to lock for like a min, then dont. It's real weird and a huge safety prob. IMO. Any info on how to fix this? is this normal?

jcurrieirocz

IROCtheRoad- go to the links here in this thread print off the info of the recal and bring it into them and show them,,,dont take no for an answer...if they tell you there is no recal for your seatbelts,,,,thats just like them telling you the earth is flat!!!

Pearl Jammzz- i think some of us arent getting what your saying?? are you saying they wont lock when you hit the breaks at the roof part of things OR they wont lock in the clip part????

metal clips???? can anyhow show me pics of these new lower seatbelts with the metal clips....maybe its just a US thing because I have my recal done and there are no metal clips.....
so you really cant tell by the clips if your recalls done or not!

The only sure way to tell is the red buttons are realy darker deep color red (not white flaky and chalky looking pink colors). Also youll see the recall sticker its yellow and usally under the hood come where.

Pearl Jammzz

the seatbelt wont lock at the roof. both the shoulder part AND the lap part dont lock. Every once in awhile they will, but not all the time. They just decide to do it and will lock for a couple of min then all of a sudden it will decide to not lock.

Is it suppost to always lock? just when I hit the brakes real hard? when?

Aviator857

The lock mech. in our seatbelts work on inertia. There is a weighted slider in the belt retractor. When you hit your bakes real hard or hit something the rapid g change will cause the slider to move forward and lock the belt. Also if you stop on a really steap hill going down it it will lock. Unlike some cars that lock the belt if it is extended quickly. For the most part gm droped the ball on the seat belts on the thirdgen.

okfoz

This is a car that I know has not been done:
Why my carpet looks purple, I dont know...

okfoz

I believe this to be the recall style metal clip... Since there was three recalls, this might not be the only way it was done, they may differ. I am thinking only my drivers seat got the recall done, therefore my other 3 seats have not been completed, because they do not have the metal clip.

John

87CIZ

iTrader: (8)

went to the dealership today. they looked up the vin couldnt find anything.. printed off the paper from the nhtsa and they gave me the number to chevrolet. called chevrolet, they say it doesnt exist for my 87 or 88 Iroc. weird i dont have any metal clips on any of mine. any suggestions? should i contact the nhtsa about this? my passenger belt does not lock anymore it goes in and slides back out. and for awhile it would latch and not let go. the buttons are a pink/white color and are very brittle. I usually have someone with me, and if i'm in an accident and they get hurt. that is chevrolets *** am i correct? considering i've been to the dealership and called chevrolet?

87CIZ

iTrader: (8)

what should i do about it? the guy at chevrolet said that they're system only went back to 93 and that if my car had a recall it would be on there anyway. im confused since the recalls came out in 90 and 92....

GTA-SPD

That is exactly how far I got too. Here is what you are going to have to do. Buy new belts. It sucks, but if GM isn't going to honor this deal, then you can't just blame them if you kill someone in your car. The other thing you may have, is the later part of the recall. They replaced the whole buckle assembly, which had no metal clips. Either way, you can keep pissing up a rope, or you can do something about it. Since you know that there is a problem with your seat belts, the responsible thing to do is fix them (I think the parts kit to fix them is like $6) or don't allow any passengers until GM fixes them.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to be a ***** here or anything like that. And I'm just as frustrated as you are with GM and their appearant disregard for their obligations, but it reminds me of the folks who sued the tobacco companies or the fat asses that tried to sue McDonalds. GM should fix all of our cars, but since they won't, you can't just have the attitude that if someone gets hurt or killed, it's not your fault. It is, since you know the problem is there, and GM won't feel the guilt about it, you will. Don't ask how I know about this, let's just say that I do.

87CamLT

This is for anybody who thinks they need the recall work done. Stay on Chevrolets ***'s. They will have to give in. They told me it didn't exist too, but i just kept calling up with more info. I got to the point where i told them I want something done or i am takeing all the info i have and reporting it to a local news station. I knew for a fact that the recall wasen't done, or wasen't done with the right parts. My push buttons were white and i could dig my nail in them. I wanted it done right. If anybodys seatbelt is not laching or has the discoloration they should stay up GM's ***. If there is nothing wrong with you belts, the recall was most likely done and don't waste GM's time. We only want to give them serious request. Go to a dealership and don't leave until they see your push buttons and then present to them all the info from this site, like that 109 page memo. Then call Chevrolet and tell them you want an area manager to come out and see this. Just keep insisting. Why should they get away with not doing this. If you have a serious saftey concern tell Chevrolet that. Tell them you don't want a law suit on there hand over this. They don't want bad press. Let them know you will give it to them if they don't make good on this recall.

Goumba T

I'd gladly do that. However, here's the thing: the part numbers as listed in the recall for the belt assy's come up as no longer available.

Either those who are getting the recalls are going to dealerships that still have some stock, or the part #s have been changed since.

If that's the case, anyone have the right part numbers? I'll gladly do it myself rather than take it to the dealer.

Aviator857

GM still has the whole assembly in black and grey if they are trying to tell you that the repair kits are no longer made insist on them replacing the whole bulkle. At one stage this is what they were doing anyway for the recal.

gmpartsdirect has both bulkles for the front I look up the grey they are 45.99 each, if push comes to shove. You could always buy it then push the case for them to reinburse you, who know if they will.

hey you only need what 20 people for a class action law suit if they refuse to fix our cars.

Goumba T

You have the P/N? Front's fine as I rarely have any passengers in the back.

For 45.99 each I'll do it. I won't worry about it since its a safety issue, how much $$$ I've blown for the fun stuff.

Aviator857

Look on page 46 and 47 of the pdf I posted the link to it has the part numbers for all the colors.

87CIZ

iTrader: (8)

wow $100 for front seat buckles.... thats about ridiculous. i would buy them if i had the money but i dont. i also dont think i should pay for chevrolets screw up. i would buy them if they came to like $50 for the set or something but for those little things it costs that much?

Goumba T

I don't either, but I also value my life enough to do it if I have to.

Aviator: Thanks. I must have mixed up numbers when I tried before, but now its coming up.

I looked up the kit for the 4 pushbutton assemblies... $2.98?? Maybe its no longer a kit of 4 like it was at that time.

Aviator857

yea mine are in decent shape the buttons are just pink and chalky. well they latch good anyways. But would like to get the buttons replaced. if I had any concerns of them not working in a wreck I would be buying a new set.

think4aminute

I might persue this recall.....................if I had enough dicipline to actually buckle up.


FYI, did you know in 90-92 if you take out the bulb that indicates the seatbelt in the Instrument Cluster, the car buzzer will continue to buzz until you connect the seat belt? kinda cool

okfoz

My Formula will ding for a few seconds until I buckle up, unfortunately I broke the wire, so now it does not know the difference.

John

GTA-SPD

I know that it sucks, but it is entirely possible that they were replaced already and then they got broken again. The buckles in my old car were FUBAR when I looked at it to buy it. I bought it anyway and when I picked it up, the guy brought out a box that had 4 brand new buckles that he "just never got around to putting in". That could be the case in a lot of our cases as well and if so GM has fulfilled their end. A lot of dealers will just hook you up with the parts for a simple recal like this so that they don't have to work them into their schedule. But if the jackass who owns the car doesn't install the parts, the next guy who owns it gets screwed. In the grand scheme of things, $200 for properly functioning seatbelts is a small price to pay. Hell for that you can't even get 2 sets of camlock 5-points. I'm putting new buckles in (as well as a new driver side belt) before the summer. I'll probably just go with 4th Gen belts and be done with this stupid recalled crap.

87CIZ

iTrader: (8)

that what ive been searching through. to see what it takes to put the 4th gen seat belts in the cars. from what i've read its not that had just a little fabrication, so i think im gonna do that instead.

Gus_Mahn

My seatbelt buttons were almost white on my 89. I guess the red plastic buttons didn't have the proper UV stabilzers and are prone to aging/cracking. If you take the car in, they should change the buttons for free. Since this is a safety recall it should be available for a long time, as long as your car's VIN doesn't show the recall has already been done. It's too bad your dealers are stroking you. By law they should be fixing this problem.

If you want to fix it yourself, The parts only cost $6. They are GM part # 14097930. It took me about 15 minutes to change all four buttons. It is a very easy job.

Regards,

Gus

87CIZ

iTrader: (8)

can it be fixed if its not latching anymore?

Pearl Jammzz

my passenger side buckle is missing a little white thing inside....it wont click in unless u mess w/ it for swhile, is this a safety issue at all?

87CamLT

just got new seatbelts from GM. Theyt cost $200.00 with 10% discount from GM. They come with new retractors, its a good investment if your current belts do not lock up or are faded and stiff.

87CamLT

I can post part numbers if any one needs them. I will install them next week.

87CIZ

iTrader: (8)

still wondering if the repair kit will still work if it doesnt latch anymore

okfoz

I don't know, you may need to buy the kit, and see what it fixes.

For $6 that does not sound bad.

however the whole assembly is like $200 for all the seats.

John