Regal V6-173 2.8L (1988)
Front Door Hinge: By Symptom
Campaign - Door Hinge Breaks
Bulletin:
89-POL-1
Date:
March, '92
Ref. No.:
Corp. Ref. No.:
SUBJECT:
SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT DOOR HINGES
MODELS AFFECTED:
CERTAIN 1988-89 REGAL COUPES WITH 8.7 MM CONICAL PIN DOOR HINGES
NOTE:
Buick Special Policy bulletins in the future will be printed on blue paper for easier recognition.
General Motors has determined that certain 1988-89 Regal coupes with 8.7 mm conical pin door hinges have had a door hinge break while opening or
closing a door. If the lower hinge breaks, the door may require more effort to close, or a popping or scraping noise might be heard. If the upper hinge
breaks, the end of the door nearest the outside door handle may drop down, making the door difficult to reposition and close properly.
NOTICE
It has been determined that a primary cause of door hinge fractures is corrosion of the door hinge. Accordingly, the majority of vehicles experiencing this
condition will be located in high corrosion areas (Canadian Maritime Provinces, New England, Great Lakes States).
As a result (and also due to limited parts availability) owner mailings will be phased out first to owners of vehicles located in high corrosion areas and
then expanded to include other regions. Dealers should be certain to consider this corrosion factor when placing parts orders.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 1988-89 Regal coupes with 8.7 mm conical pin door hinges built within the following VIN breakpoints:
PLANT
YEAR
MODEL
PLANT
CODE
FROM
THROUGH
1988
Regal
Oshawa # 2
1
J1400016
J1529270
1989
Regal
Oshawa # 2
1
K1400026
K1447999
SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT
This special Policy covers the condition described above for ten (10) years and unlimited mileage with no deductible from the date the vehicle was
originally placed into service regardless of ownership. Correction at no charge to the customer will consist of replacing all door hinges in involved
vehicles which experience failure of any 8.7 mm single-hung door hinge. 11.3 mm single-hung hinges will be used to replace the 8.7 mm single hung
hinges when a failure occurs. Repair of any minor body damage that may have occurred due to hinge breakage is also covered.
This "Special Policy Adjustment Bulletin" should be filed in your "Special Policy Adjustment Bulletins" binder furnished to dealers by General Motors.
REIMBURSEMENT
NOTICE:
When a customer requests reimbursement, dealers are to schedule an appointment to have all door hinges (including those replaced previously) replaced
with the 11.3 mm hinges required for this special policy.
Customer claims for reimbursement on previously paid repairs to correct a broken door hinge are to be submitted by December 31, 1992 according to the
instructions included in this bulletin (the time limitation for presenting the original paid receipt may be longer depending upon the law in your state).
Owners (and/or prior owners) must submit original documentation which reasonably confirms the amount of unreimbursed repair expense(s), a
description of the repair, date of the repair, and the person or entity performing the repair. Customers from the states of Connecticut and Virginia must
submit requests for reimbursement directly to Buick per instructions in the owner letter.