ECE/EEC Noncompliance Recall-Third Row Seat Belt Retractor Noncompliance

General Motors has decided that certain 2000 and 2001 Chevrolet Tahoes equipped with a third row seat (RPO AS3) (export vehicles only) fail to conform to ECE R16.04 and 77/541/EEC. The seat belt retractors in the 3rd row outboard seating positions in these vehicles will lock when the belt webbing is extracted quickly. However, the mechanism that locks the seat belt retractor when the vehicle decelerates quickly, such as during heavy braking, may not operate as intended and required by regulations. As a result, the seat belt may not restrain the occupant as intended during a crash, which could result in injury to the occupant.

Dealers are to replace both seat belt retractors in the 3rd row seats.

Involved are certain 2000 and 2001 Chevrolet Tahoes equipped with a third row seat (RPO AS3) (export vehicles only). Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through DCS Screen 445 before beginning recall repairs. Not all vehicles are involved.

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers with the recall bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow up with customers involved in this recall. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the recall bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.

These dealer listings may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this recall.

Parts required to complete this recall are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). Please refer to your "involved vehicles listing" before ordering parts. Normal orders should be placed on a DRO = Daily Replenishment Order. In an emergency situation, parts should be ordered on a CSO = Customer Special Order.

1. From the rear of the vehicle, remove both the left and the right 3rd row seat.
2. Release the J-strip at the bottom of the seat back and release the hook and loop fasteners.
3. Remove the headrest.
4. Reach up inside the seat back, release and remove the headrest retainers.
5. Remove the seat belt guide from the side of the seat back.
6. Manually rotate the center latch to the latched position to release the seat back.
7. Remove the shoulder belt bezel from the retractor tower.
8. To access the lower seat belt anchor bolt, remove the 2 screws attaching the side cover to the seat cushion frame.
9. Unsnap the outer half of the side cover from the inner half and remove.
10. Remove the seat belt lower anchor bolt.
11. Remove the seat back cover to access the retractor.
12. Route the seat belt webbing material through the opening in the seat back cover.
13. Remove the 3 screws attaching the retractor tower cover and remove the cover.
14. Route the seat belt webbing material through the opening in the retractor cover.
15. Remove the bolt attaching the retractor to the seat frame and remove the retractor.
16. Install the new retractor on the seat frame and install the attaching bolt.

Tighten
Tighten to 55 N·m (41 lb ft).

17. Route the seat belt webbing material through the opening in the retractor cover.
18. Install the retractor tower cover and install the 3 screws.

Tighten
Tighten to 2 N·m (18 lb in).

19. Route the seat belt webbing material through the opening in the seat back cover.
20. Reinstall the seat back cover and secure the hook and loop fasteners and J-strip.
21. Install the seat belt lower anchor bolt.

Tighten
Tighten to 55 N·m (41 lb ft).

22. Position the outer half of the side cover to the inner half and snap together.
23. Install the 2 screws attaching the side cover to the seat cushion frame.

Tighten
Tighten to 2 N·m (18 lb in).

24. Install the shoulder belt bezel to the retractor tower.
25. Install the seat belt guide to the side of the seat back.
26. Install the headrest retainers and install the headrest.
27. Release the center latch to allow the seat back to fold down.
28. Install the seat in the vehicle.
29. Latch the seat belt to the buckle and verify proper seat belt retractor operation.
30. Repeat Steps 2 through 29 to replace the seat belt retractor on the other 3rd row seat.
31. Install the GM Recall Identification Label.

Place a Recall Identification Label on each vehicle in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Recall Bulletin. Each label provides a space to include the recall number and the five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the recall service. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or a ball point pen.

Put the Recall Identification Label on a clean and dry surface of the radiator core support in an area that will be visible to people servicing the vehicle. When installing the Recall Identification Label, be sure to pull the tab to allow the adhesion of the clear protective covering. Additional Recall Identification Labels for IPC dealers can be obtained from your Regional Marketing Office.

Submit a Product Recall Claim with the information indicated below:

Refer to the General Motors WINS Claim Processing Manual for details on Product Recall Claim Submission.

Letters will be sent to known owners of record.

All unsold new vehicles in dealers' possession and subject to this recall MUST be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this recall bulletin BEFORE customers take possession of these vehicles.

Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this recall at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.

Customers who have recently purchased vehicles sold from your vehicle inventory, and for which there is no customer information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer. Arrangements are to be made to make the required correction according to the instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such customers a copy of the customer letter accompanying this bulletin. Recall follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the customer may not as yet have received the notification letter.

In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this recall enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, please take the steps necessary to be sure the recall correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

Dear Chevrolet Customer:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

General Motors has decided that certain 2000 and 2001 Chevrolet Tahoes equipped with a third row seat fail to conform to ECE R16.04 and 77/541/EEC. The seat belt retractors in the 3rd row outboard seating positions in these vehicles will lock when the belt webbing is extracted quickly. However, the mechanism that locks the seat belt retractor when the vehicle decelerates quickly, such as during heavy braking, may not operate as intended and required by regulations. As a result, the seat belt may not restrain the occupant as intended during a crash, which could result in injury to the occupant.

Your dealer will replace the seat belt retractors in the 3rd row seat. This service will be performed for you at no charge .

The length of time required to perform this service correction is approximately 55 minutes. Additional time may be required to schedule and process your vehicle. If you dealer has a large number of vehicles awaiting service, this additional time may be significant. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed schedule, process, and repair your vehicle.

Please contact your dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. Parts are available and instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer.

Your dealer is best equipped to obtain parts and provide services to correct your vehicle as promptly as possible. Should your dealer be unable to schedule a service date within a reasonable time, you should contact the General Motors Customer Assistance Center at (905) 644-4112.

The attached customer 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 no longer own this vehicle, please let us know by completing the attached and mailing it in the postage paid envelope.

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.

General Motors Corporation

Enclosure