TP 2436
Road Safety Leaflet # D-2004-02 (E)
Manufacturer:
General Motors of Canada
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
Canada
L1H 8P7
Consumer Contact:
1-800-263-3777 (English)
1-800-263-7854 (French)
1-800-263-3830 (TDD users)
Vehicles and Model Years Affected:
1997-2002 Chevrolet Venture
1997-2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette
1997-1999 Pontiac Trans Sport
1999-2002 Pontiac Montana
Geographic Distribution:
All across Canada
Concern:
When installing a children's restraint system in the second or third row vehicle seat with modular seating, there may be excessive lateral (side-to-side) movement.
Background:
This issue was reported to Transport Canada by a concerned parent. It appears that the seat belt buckles in the above listed vehicles are forward of the seat crease (where the seat back and seat cushion join) and have limited rotational movement. This makes securing a child seat difficult and due to the angle of the seat belt buckle, can induce slack into the seat belt allowing for the excessive lateral movement.
Transport Canada, on receipt of this inquiry, opened an investigation. Testing was performed on an exemplar vehicle, which confirmed that excessive lateral movement was possible. Transport Canada did determine that with the use of a locking clip, tight installation was possible.
Further investigation found that GM has addressed this concern with a Technical Service Bulletin (#00-09-40-001A) dated 07/19/2001. This Bulletin describes the availability and replacement procedures for a new buckle assembly that incorporates a longer, more flexible stalk, which can rotate to produce a more upright angle position. This more upright angle of the buckle could make the installation of some child seats easier and reduce the amount of lateral movement.
Consumer Recourse:
If so desired, consumers may contact their GM dealer for more information.
Information contained in this notice can be found in the vehicle owner's manual for later model years.
Transport Canada: 1-800-333-0371
Release Date: March 23, 2004