Beretta V6-173 2.8L (1989)
Dear Chevrolet Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
REASON FOR THIS RECALL
General Motors has determined that some 1989 Chevrolet Corsica and Beretta model vehicles may fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard (FMVSS) 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies". The front seat belt latch plates may not engage the buckle assemblies or do so only after wiggling the
latch plate, resulting in a no-latch condition or some difficulty in getting a latched condition. Because the push button release remains depressed and the
familiar "click" of the locking mechanism doesn't occur, this condition should be apparent to vehicle occupant(s). Additionally, the movement of the
occupant is likely to result in the latch plate releasing from the buckle. In the event of a vehicle crash, unbelted or improperly belted occupants are more
at risk to injury than those using seat belts properly.
WHAT WE WILL DO
To correct this potential condition, your dealer will inspect your front seat belt buckle assemblies to determine if they are functioning as intended.
Improperly functioning front seat belt buckle assemblies will be replaced. This service will be performed for you at no charge.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
You may choose to perform your own inspection to determine if you should have one or both front seat belt buckle assemblies replaced by your dealer. If
you choose to do this, please follow the instructions at the end of this letter.
If you choose to have your Chevrolet Dealer perform this inspection please contact your dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. Instructions
for making this correction have been sent to your dealer. It is estimated that parts will be available on or about March 30, 1989. Please ask your dealer if
you wish to know how much time will be needed to schedule and process your vehicle. The actual labor time necessary to perform this service is
approximately ten to twenty-five (10-25) minutes.
Your Chevrolet dealer is best equipped to obtain parts and provide service to insure that your vehicle is corrected as promptly as possible. If, however,
you take your vehicle to your dealer on the agreed service date, and they do not remedy this condition on that date or within five (5) days, we recommend
you contact the Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center by calling 1-800-222-1020.
After contacting your dealer and the Customer Assistance Center, 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 wish to write the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street,
S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590 or call 1-800-424-9393 (Washington D.C. residents use 366-0123).
The enclosed owner reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer 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 in the interest of your safety and continued satisfaction with our
products.
INSPECTION PROCEDURE
On the front seat belts, insert latch plate into buckle assembly. Look at the push button release on the buckle. If it is still depressed, the buckle is not
latched properly. You can also tug on the belt to determine if the plate is latched securely. Release latch plate from buckle. Repeat this process a total of
ten (10) times on both the passenger (RH) and drivers (LH) buckle assemblies. If push button remains depressed and the latch plate disengages from
buckle assembly when you tug on it on any of the ten (10) tries, please contact your Chevrolet dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. Until
your vehicle is serviced, please make sure your seat belt is properly buckled and secure each time you wear the belt.
If the buckle latches successfully on each of the ten (10) tries, replacement of the buckle assembly is not required. In this case please complete and mail
the enclosed self-addressed, stamped post card. That way we can close our file on your vehicle and you won't be contacted again by GM or the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
