Sunfire L4-2.2L VIN 4 (1996)
Technical Service Bulletin # 98026
Date: 980818
US Version
CAMPAIGN: INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT # 98026 - (08/18/1998)
NOTE:
THE CANADIAN VERSION OF 98026 IS ALSO SHOWN.
PRODUCT CAMPAIGNS 98026 AUGUST, 1998
SUBJECT:
98026 - INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
MODELS:
1996-97 CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE MODELS
THE HIGHWAY 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 CUSTOMER 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 CUSTOMER 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 REMEDIES, EVERY EFFORT MUST BE MADE TO PROMPTLY SCHEDULE AN
APPOINTMENT WITH EACH CUSTOMER AND TO REPAIR THEIR VEHICLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AS YOU WILL SEE IN READING
THE COPY OF THE DIVISIONAL LETTER THAT IS BEING SENT TO CUSTOMERS, THE CUSTOMERS ARE BEING INSTRUCTED TO
CONTACT THE APPROPRIATE 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 DECIDED THERE IS A DEFECT RELATED TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY IN 1996 AND SOME 1997 J CARS.
BECAUSE OF CERTAIN CALIBRATIONS IN THE AIR BAG'S COMPUTER, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF AN AIR BAG
DEPLOYMENT IN A LOW SPEED CRASH OR WHEN AN OBJECT STRIKES THE FLOOR PAN.
AIR BAGS DEPLOY WITH GREAT FORCE AND CAN SERIOUSLY INJURE UNRESTRAINED
PEOPLE WHO ARE TOO CLOSE TO THEM. EVERY OCCUPANT SHOULD BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
A REAR-FACING CHILD SEAT SHOULD NEVER BE SECURED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF SERIOUS
INJURY OR DEATH. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT ALL CHILDREN BE RESTRAINED PROPERLY IN THE REAR SEAT.
AFTER A DEPLOYMENT, THE AIR BAG INFLATORS, COMPUTER (SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE), STEERING WHEEL PAD,
INSTRUMENT PANEL COVER, AND OTHER PARTS MUST BE REPLACED.
TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS CONDITION OCCURRING, DEALERS ARE TO REPROGRAM THE AIR BAG SENSING AND
DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM).
VEHICLES INVOLVED
