Regal V6-231 3.8L VIN L SFI (1990)
Brake Light Switch: All Technical Service Bulletins
Campaign Description
Model Year
1990
Bulletin No.
90-C-8
File In Group
5
Number
11
Date
Nov. '90
SUBJECT: BRAKE STOPLAMP SWITCH
MODELS AFFECTED:
1989 AND 1990 REGAL
The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended, provides that each vehicle which is 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 attached copy of the letter that is being sent to owners, the owners are being instructed to
contact the Buick Customer Assistance Center if their dealer 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 determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1989 and 1990 Buick Regal model vehicles. These
vehicles may have a faulty brake stoplamp switch, which could result in the stoplamps not illuminating on application of the brakes. If this should occur
in situations where a driver in a trailing vehicle is otherwise unable to recognize a braking action in sufficient time to respond appropriately, a vehicle
crash could occur without prior warning. In some cases, failure of the stoplamp switch can result in the stoplamps staying on at all times.
In addition, in vehicles equipped with cruise control, a faulty stoplamp switch can result in resumption of the cruise control function upon release of the
brake pedal. If this occurs, the cruise control feature can be disengaged by moving the cruise control switch to the "OFF" position, or by reapplying the
brake. Once the vehicle speed drops below 12-14 MPH, the cruise feature will be automatically, disengaged.
To prevent these conditions from occurring, an improved stoplamp switch will be installed on all involved vehicles.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 1989 and 1990 Buick Regal model vehicles built within the following VIN breakpoints:
THROUGH AND
YEAR
MODEL
PLANT
FROM
INCLUDING
1989
Regal
Oshawa # 2
K1445106
K1488782
1990
Regal
Oshawa # 2
L1400251
L1431378
Vehicles which Buick records indicate were previously repaired under warranty with Stoplamp Switch, Part Number 10180504, are not included in this
campaign.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Owners will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by Buick Motor Division (see copy of owner letter included with this bulletin).
CHANGE OF OWNER INFORMATION
Dealers are to use the Dealer Communication System (DCS) to provide Buick Motor Division with subsequent Buick owner information. By reporting a
change of owner name or address of a vehicle in campaign status over the DCS, the need to send a CVAR form for that vehicle is eliminated. Terminal
input instructions are covered in the DCS Manual under Section 9, Page 9-JO1A and B.
DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY
Dealers 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.
