GM Recalls Savana/Express

[give_it_all_]

General Motors Co. recalling 425,000 vans
03:52 PM CST on Tuesday, December 20, 2005
By The Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- General Motors Co. is recalling about 425,000 full-size passenger and cargo vans because of reports that the seat belt buckles will not latch or unlatch.
The recall, announced Tuesday, affects the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana from the 2003-2006 model years.
GM, the world's No. 1 automaker, discovered the problem through an analysis of warranty claims. Consumers reported problems latching the buckle or unlocking it once it was in place.
GM spokesman Alan Adler said there have been no reports of injuries.
Dealers will inspect the buckles and replace the upper buckle cover. If the restraint isn't working properly, dealers will replace the entire buckle assembly.
The Express and Savana passenger vans have seating for eight people. The cargo version seats two people.
Article

[Vintalage]

Woops. Great way to end the year.

[Perfectionist]

People still buy those???? j/k

[TiburonJT]

It seems like those seatbelts would be used in other vehicles as well.

[griswold44]

Originally Posted by Vintalage

Woops. Great way to end the year.

Don't say GM's name in vain. YOU'RE BIASED.


Does this have to do with the GMT-800's seatbelt recall a few months back?

[CRBoyd91]

Originally Posted by griswold44

Don't say GM's name in vain. YOU'RE BIASED.

Dude chill out. You really need to put your pitcher back in the fridge.

At least we don't have to worry about these customers going to the Japanese... o, and the Sprinter is just not powerful enough to replace these.

[jarsworldcom]

Originally Posted by Perfectionist

People still buy those???? j/k

Not so much right now. Our OT stops for a bit at the end of the week.

Changing out a seatbelt sucks.

[boston boy]

does anyone know what years for recall?

[jarsworldcom]

My guess is all 610's. So 2003's till now.

[IMPALAon20s]

source:www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov

Make / Models:
GMC/SAVANA
CHEVROLET/EXPRESS

Build Years: 2003-2006

Manufacturer : GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 05V558000
Mfg's Report Date : DEC 12, 2005
Component: SEAT BELTS
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 425593

Summary:
ON CERTAIN FULL-SIZE PASSENGER, CARGO, OR CUTAWAY VANS, THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL NOT LATCH OR WILL NOT UNLATCH. THERE ARE TWO CONDITIONS THAT RENDER THE BUCKLE INOPERATIVE AFTER CUSTOMER USAGE. SPECIFICALLY, (1) WITH A DAMAGED EJECTOR HOOD, THE LATCH TONGUE CANNOT FULLY ENTER THE BUCKLE AND WILL NOT LATCH; AND (2) IF THE RELEASE BAR MOVES PERMANENTLY OUT OF POSITION, THE BUCKLE WILL EITHER BE UNABLE TO ENGAGE THE LATCH OR THE PUSHBUTTON WILL BE UNABLE TO UNLATCH THE BUCKLE.

Consequence:
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLES AND, IF FOUND TO BE INOPERATIVE, THE ENTIRE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WOULD BE REPLACED. FOR BUCKLES FOUND TO BE OPERATIVE, DEALER WILL REPLACE ONLY THE UPPER BUCKLE COVER. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Notes:
GM RECALL NO. 05113. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

[1999 White C5 Coupe]

My 1999 Corvette was the subject of a safety recall for defective seatbelts.

There is NO EXCUSE for building a vehicle with defective safety equipment, especially for items such as seat belt latches.

What about GM's claim to improved quality and reliability?

[doh]

Originally Posted by CRBoyd91

Dude chill out. You really need to put your pitcher back in the fridge.

At least we don't have to worry about these customers going to the Japanese... o, and the Sprinter is just not powerful enough to replace these.

UMMM power is not at the top of most of these shoppers list, economy is #1, closely followed by ergonomics. If the Sprinter were a little less expensive intially, it would capture 50% of the tradesmen's business

[member12]

So the seatbelts don't work on passenger vans?

GM had a safety thing going with stabilitrac standard on these things. They are the best. I have driven GMs, Sprinters, and Econolines for work. GMs are much better, more powerful, and handled better. Just more comfortable to drive.

[Kiteboy]

Lol - i work in the UK for a GM retailer and the amount of recalls - either public or non announced - is high - more than you'd think but then again i've also worked for otehr manufacturers who have the same problems. not all recalls are for the worse, alot are to enhance parts/fixtures.
The main reason for a recall is these days to fix a 'potential' fault, where the worst event probably never will happen. See it from the manufacturers point of view though and they MUST look at the worst case scenario, the 'what if' point. You guys in the states will know this more than anything, if someone breaks a finger nail and thinks they can get something, they'll sue for it.
Also, part of the reason regarding the amount of recalls is that GM's (and others) safety checks have improved a massive amount. The more stringent your checks , the more likly there will be something found.....

[give_it_all_]

Originally Posted by boston boy

does anyone know what years for recall?

The article says 2003-2006. So even brand new ones aren't good from the factory....