Recall - Head Impact FMVSS Non-Compliance: Overview
FMVSS NONCOMPLIANCEBulletin No.: 08016A
Date: May 27, 2008
Subject:
08016A - Head Impact Protection - Increased Protection
Models:
2006-2008 Chevrolet HHR
Without Roof-Rail Airbags
U.S. Vehicles Only
Supercede:
The service procedure in this bulletin has been revised to clarify the installation of the energy absorbing device. Please discard all copies of bulletin 08016, issued March 2008.
Condition
General Motors has decided that all 2006-2007 model year and certain 2008 model year Chevrolet HHR vehicles without roof-rail airbags fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 201 "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact". In tests at an impact point near the attachment of the sun visor to the roof the Standard's requirement was exceeded. If a front seat occupants head contacts that point in a crash the occupant's injury could be increased.
Correction
Dealers are to install an additional energy absorbing device between the front headliner and the vehicle roof on the driver and passenger side.
Vehicles Involved
Involved are all 2006-2007 model year and certain 2008 model year Chevrolet HHR vehicles without roof-rail airbags and built within the VIN breakpoints shown.
Important:
Dealers are to confirm vehicle eligibility prior to beginning repairs by using the GM Vehicle Inquiry System (GMVIS). Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.
For dealers with involved vehicles a listing with involved vehicles, containing the complete vehicle identification number, customer name, and address information has been prepared and will be provided through GM DealerWorld Recall Information. Dealers will not have a report available if they have no involved vehicles currently assigned.
The listing may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any purpose other than follow-up necessary to complete this recall is a violation of law in several states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this report to the follow-up necessary to complete this recall.
Parts Information
Parts required to complete this recall are to be obtained from General Motors Service and 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.
Service Procedure
Tools Required
Hot Glue Gun
Important:
Install the energy absorbing (EA) plastic piece into the headliner at both the driver and passenger side A-pillar locations.
1. Remove the A-pillar trim panels. Refer to Windshield Garnish Molding Replacement in SI.
2. Remove the sunshades from the vehicle. Refer to Sunshade Replacement in SI.
3. Remove the door weatherstrip (1).
Important:
The headliner will drop about 203 mm (8 in), which will provide adequate room to install the insert energy absorbing (EA) plastic piece (2) into the headliner (3). Use GM Care Hot Melt Adhesive Sticks (P/N 12377914) or equivalent to glue the EA plastic piece (2) into the headliner (3).
4. Locate the installation point for installing the energy absorbing (EA) plastic piece (2) onto the A-pillar edge (1) of the headliner (3).
Important:
The EA plastic pieces are marked "LH" (2) for left hand (driver's side) and "RH" for right hand (passenger's side).
5. Apply hot glue to the energy absorbing (EA) plastic piece pocket areas (1).
Important:
Ensure that the energy absorbing (EA) plastic piece (2) is installed onto the front edge (1) of the existing headliner plastic piece. The body of the EA plastic piece should be firmly attached to the headliner (3).
6. Insert the energy absorbing (EA) (2) plastic piece onto the existing plastic piece on the headliner with hot glue.
7. Tuck headliner in place to ensure proper fit with the A-pillar trim panels and sunshades.
8. Install the A-pillar trim panels. Refer to Windshield Garnish Molding Replacement in SI.
9. Install the sunshades. Refer to Sunshade Replacement in SI.
10. Install the door weatherstrip (1).
Courtesy Transportation
The General Motors Courtesy Transportation program is intended to minimize customer inconvenience when a vehicle requires a repair that is covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The availability of courtesy transportation to customers whose vehicles are within the warranty coverage period and involved in a product program is very important in maintaining customer satisfaction. Dealers are to ensure that these customers understand that shuttle service or some other form of courtesy transportation is available and will be provided at no charge. Dealers should refer to the General Motors Service Policies and Procedures Manual for Courtesy Transportation guidelines.
Claim Information
Submit a Product Recall Claim with the information shown above.
Customer Notification
General Motors will notify customers of this program on their vehicle (see copy of customer letter shown in this bulletin).
Dealer Dealer Responsibility
The US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act provides that each vehicle that is subject to a recall 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 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. In the recall notification letters, customers are told how to contact the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration if the recall is not completed within a reasonable time.
This bulletin is notice to you that the new motor vehicles included in this recall may not comply with the standard identified above. Under Title 49 Section 30112 of the United States Code, it is illegal for a dealer to sell a new motor vehicle which the dealer knows does not comply with an applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. As a consequence, if you sell any of these motor vehicles without first performing the recall correction your dealership may be subject to a civil penalty for each such sale.
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. A copy of the customer letter is shown in this bulletin for your use in contacting customers. 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 you must take the steps necessary to be sure the recall correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
Disclaimer