Owner Letter
November, 1996Dear [Buick Skylark, Oldsmobile Achieva] Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
REASON FOR THIS RECALL:
General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1996 Buick Skylark and Oldsmobile Achieva vehicles. During deployment of the passenger air bag, the air bag fabric may snag on a reinforcement inside the instrument panel, causing the expanding bag to lift the instrument panel pad and then deploy under the instrument panel pad instead of through the door in the instrument panel. The reinforcement may also fracture. In a crash, the front seat passenger could receive more severe injuries if he or she contacts a broken reinforcement of if the snagging affects the deployment of the bag.
WHAT WILL BE DONE:
To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, dealers are to install a plastic edge protector to the instrument panel pad reinforcement. On certain early-production vehicles, the instrument panel pad will be replaced. This service will be performed for you at no charge.
HOW LONG WILL THE REPAIR TAKE:
The length of time required to perform this inspection (and repair, if necessary) is approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. Additional time may be required to schedule and process your vehicle. If your 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.
CONTACTING YOUR DEALER:
Please contact your dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date and to assure parts availability. Instructions for making this inspection have been sent to your dealer. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much time will be needed to schedule, process, and repair your vehicle. Your [Buick, Oldsmobile] 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 appropriate Customer Assistance/Relations Center at one of the following numbers:
Division Number Deaf,Hearing Impaired or Speech Impaired *
Buick 1-800-521-7300 1-800-832-8425
Oldsmobile 1-800-442-6537 1-800-833-6537
* Utilizes Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf/Text Telephones (TDD/TTY)
If, after contacting the appropriate customer assistance center, if you are still not satisfied that we have done our best to remedy this condition without charge and within a reasonable time, you may wish to write the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590 or call 1-800-424-9393 (Washington D.C. residents use 202-366-0123).
CUSTOMER REPLY CARD:
The enclosed owner reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in processing your vehicle in the shortest possible time. If you have sold or traded your vehicle, please let us know by completing the postage paid reply card and returning it to us.
COURTESY TRANSPORTATION:
Your dealer will provide you with courtesy transportation, if required, while your vehicle is at the dealership for repair. Please be aware that the courtesy transportation provided by your dealership may consist of several different services, including shuttle service. Please refer to your Owner's Manual and your dealer for details on Courtesy Transportation.
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.