Defect and Vehicles Involved

DEFECT INVOLVED

General Motors has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 1994-95 Chevrolet C/K extend-cab pickups equipped with front seat belt assemblies having a double-loop energy-management system. A condition exists where in a frontal collision, if both the lap-belt and shoulder-belt energy-management loops release at/or near the same time, acceleration forces can cause the buckle release mechanism to activate and allow the buckle to separate from the latch. If the buckle released the system would fail to provide the appropriate occupant restraint performance. Additionally, a small number of these vehicles equipped with light-duty naturally aspirated diesel engines (L49), which were built with straight (no energy-management loops) front seat belts Systems before and after the larger suspect population, may not meet the HIC (Head Injury Criteria requirements of FMVSS 208, "Occupant Crash Protection'. In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant of these seats may not be properly restrained.

To correct these conditions, dealers will remove the stitching that creates the energy-management loop in the shoulder belt(s) on trucks with gas engines or 6.5L H.O. turbo diesel engines (L65; VIN Code 'F"). For vehicles with light-duty 6.5L naturally aspirated diesel engines (L49) and light-duty 6.5L turbo diesel engines (L56), the retractor portion of the seat belt assembly(s) will be replaced with one having the newly designed energy-management twin-loop system.

VEHICLE'S INVOLVED

Involved are certain 1994-95 Chevrolet C/K extended-cab pickups model built within the following VIN breakpoints:

PLANT YEAR MODEL PLANT CODE FROM THROUGH ---- ----- ----- ----- ---- -------

1994 C/K Trucks Oshawa "1" R1100005 R1328725 1994 C/K Trucks Pontiac East "E" RE100017 RE314500 1995 C/K Trucks Oshawa "1" S1100010 S1213495 1995 C/K Trucks Pontiac East "E" SE100001 SE242959

The repair to be performed is determined by the seat belt system and the engine type currently in the vehicle. The service procedure clearly states the repairs necessary for each engine.

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number Computer Listings. Computer listings contain the complete Vehicle Identification Number, owner name and address data, and are furnished to involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. owner name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with owners involved in this campaign.

These listings may contain owner names and addresses obtained from State Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states. Accordingly you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.