Recall - Occupant Protection Non-Compliance: Overview
FMVSS NONCOMPLIANCEBulletin No.: 08157
Date: December 16, 2008
Subject:
08157 - Instrument Panel Storage Bin Door Compliance - Add Reinforcement Bracket
Models:
2006-2008 Chevrolet HHR
The reinforcement latch plate bracket used to complete this recall will be mailed to customers of record. After 60 days, the recall will be closed in GMVIS. However, if the customer visits the dealership after 60 days to have the bracket installed, dealers are to install the bracket and route the claim for wholesale authorization.
Condition
General Motors has decided that certain 2006-2008 model year Chevrolet HHR vehicles fail to conform to Federal/Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 201, Occupant Protection in Interior Impact. When the instrument panel was struck by a test device at one location, the storage bin door opened. If this were to occur in a vehicle crash, it could increase an occupant's injuries.
Correction
Inspect the storage bin, and if necessary, install a reinforcement latch plate bracket. Because the reinforcement latch plate bracket is easy to install, and to reduce customer inconvenience, the bracket and inspection/installation instructions will be mailed to customers of record. Customers who require the bracket but do not wish to install it are being provided the option of taking the bracket to their dealer for installation. Dealers are to inspect all involved vehicles currently in inventory and install the bracket, if necessary.
Vehicles Involved
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 the applicable system listed below. Dealers will not have a report available if they have no involved vehicles currently assigned.
- US and Canadian dealers - GM GlobalConnect Recall Reports
- Export dealers - sent directly to dealers
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
Reinforcement latch plate brackets required to complete this recall on vehicles in dealer inventory will be pre-shipped to dealers beginning the week of December 15, 2008. These brackets are being provided at no-charge. If additional brackets are required, US dealers should contact the DWD Store or order through the DealerWorld website at www.gmdealerworld.com, and then click on the DWD Store link. Be sure to request reinforcement latch plate brackets for Recall 08157. DO NOT ORDER BRACKETS FROM GMSPO. Canadian dealers should contact GM Canada's WINS Call Centre by sending a fax with your request. Be sure to request reinforcement latch plate brackets for Recall 08157. DO NOT ORDER BRACKETS FROM GMSPO.
Service Procedure
A video of this repair is available at www.gm.com/hhr_recall (English) or www.gm.com/hhr_recall_french (French).
1. Locate and open the instrument panel storage bin (1).
2. Locate the instrument panel storage bin latch (2).
3. Determine if the storage bin is a first (A) or second (B) design storage bin. The second design storage bin (B) includes latch pin holes (3) on the left and right side of the latch.
^ If the vehicle is equipped with a first design storage bin (A), installing a reinforcement latch plate bracket IS required. Proceed to Step 4.
^ If the vehicle is equipped with a second design storage bin (B), installing a reinforcement latch plate bracket is NOT required. No further action is required.
Notice:
Do not use silicone or wax-based products, or those containing organic solvents to clean the surface because they can alter the appearance by increasing or reducing the gloss of the surface in a non-uniform manner.
4. Clean the flat surface on either side of the storage bin latch with a clean soft cloth dampened in water to remove any dirt, dust, or residue from the surface area. If a more thorough cleaning is necessary, a clean, soft cloth dampened with a mild soap solution can be used to remove dust, dirt, or residue from the surface.
5. Peel the protective film from the two adhesive strips on the backside of the reinforcement latch plate bracket (4).
6. Place the reinforcement latch plate bracket against the vertical surface at the rear edge of the bin; then carefully lower it until the adhesive strips contact the horizontal surface. Secure the reinforcement latch plate bracket to the storage bin latch area as shown in the illustration.
7. Test the operation of the storage bin by opening and closing the storage bin lid. Ensure that the storage bin latch engages and disengages.
Claim Information
Customer Notification - For US and Canada
General Motors will notify customers of this recall on their vehicle (see copy of customer letter shown in this bulletin).
Customer Notification - For Export
Letters will be sent to known owners of record located within areas covered by the US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. For owners outside these areas, dealers should notify customers using the sample letter.
Dealer Recall Responsibility - For US and Export (US States, Territories, and Possessions)
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.
Dealer Recall Responsibility - All
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 provided 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