General Motors, LLC: Safety Recalls in 1979

THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER CONTROL ARM SHAFT ATTACHING BOLTS MAY LOOSEN ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THE LOOSENED CONDITION OF THE CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN INCORRECT FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND A NOTICEABLE INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT. IF THIS CONDITION IS NOT CORRECTED THE ATTACHING BOLTS MAY FALL OUT OR PULL THROUGH THE FRAME BRACKET. THE UNATTACHED CONTROL ARM SHAFT COULD CHAFE AGAINST THE BRAKE PIPE AND LEAD TO BRAKE PIPE FAILURE.

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY OF THE INCORRECT LENGTH. AS A RESULT, THEY DO NOT CONFORM WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES". A LONGER BELT ASSEMBLY IS REQUIRED TO FIT SOME ADULT MALES IN ALL SEAT ADJUSTMENT POSITIONS.

THE HEADS MAY BREAK OFF THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ANCHOR BOLTS DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION EVEN UNDER NO LOAD CONDITIONS. THIS IS DUE TO THE COMBINATION OF BOLTS USED, HIGH INSTALLATION TORQUE AND ARRANGEMENT OF THE BODY ANCHORAGE.

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH CLEAR LAMP BULBS INSTEAD OF THE CORRECT AMBER BULBS IN FRONT PARK AND TURN SIGNAL LOCATIONS. AS A RESULT, THESE VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT".

THE TURN SIGNAL FLASHER UNIT INSTALLED ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT". THIS INCORRECT UNIT CAUSES THE FLASH RATE TO BE TOO FAST OR RENDERS INOPERATIVE THE FEATURE WHICH CAUSES THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR LIGHT(S) IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO REMAIN LIT IF ONE OF ONE OR MORE OF THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS HAS FAILED.

THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING PLATE ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS AT HIGH MILEAGE WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT TO BECOME LOOSE. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE CONSIDERABLE "FREE PLAY" IN THE STEERING WHEEL.

THE TIRE PLACARD (LABEL) DOES NOT CONTAIN THE RECOMMENDED TIRE SIZE INFORMATION. THEREFORE, IT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS".

THE AUTOMATIC COOLER LINE HOSES ON SOME OF THE SUSPECT VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL VOIDS, WHICH COMBINED WITH A HIGH THERMAL EXPANSION AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES, COULD RESULT IN HOSE FAILURE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE.

THE SHIFT CABLE RETAINING CLIP MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED BACKWARDS OR NOT AT ALL. THE PURPOSE OF THIS SPRING CLIP IS TO SECURE THE LOWER END OF THE SHIFT CABLE HOUSING TO THE TRANSMISSION. IF THE CLIP IS BACKWARD OR MISSING, THE CONSOLE SHIFT LEVER MAY NOT SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION AND/OR THE TRANSMISSION RANGE INDICATOR MAY INDICATE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS IN THE "PARK" OR "P" POSITION WHEN IT IS NOT.

THE BOLTS THAT ATTACHED THE REAR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARMS TO THE FRAME AND AXLE MAY BE DEFECTIVE AND THE BOLT HEAD MAY SEPARATE FROM THE BOLT SHANK. THIS COULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO COME LOOSE.

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS". SOME OF THE TIRES (ALCOA TUBE TYPE) WERE IMPROPERLY MARKED 22.5 X 7.5/5 WHEN THEY WERE MEANT TO BE 22 X 7.5/5.

DUE TO FUEL HOSE CONNECTION DETERIORATION, THE FUEL HOSE CONNECTION FROM THE UNDERBODY FUEL PIPE TO THE FUEL RAIL AT THE REAR OF THE ENGINE MAY LEAK GASOLINE.

THE INVOVLED VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACTS". INCORRECT HEAD RESTRAINTS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.

SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS". THE ACCELERATOR CROSS SHAFT SUPPORT BRACKET WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED IN A REVERSED END FOR END POSITION IN THESE CASES. THIS COULD CAUSE A SLIGHT BEND IN THE ACCELERATOR LINKAGE, RESULTING IN A DELAY IN THE RETURN OF THE THROTTLE TO THE IDLE POSITION.

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH INCORRECT PLUMBING OF THE COPPER BRAKE APPLICATION VALVE SUPPLY AIR LINES. THIS CONSTITUTES A NON-COMPLIANCE TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS". AS A RESULT, AIR COULD LEAK FROM THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM.

UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE TEMPERATURES IN THE FRONT WHEEL OUTER BEARING AREA WHICH CAN AFFECT THE WHEEL BEARING GREASE. THIS CAN RESULT IN INADEQUATE LUBRICATION OF THE BEARING. THIS CONDITION MAY BE FURTHER AGGRAVATED BY IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT OF THE FRONT WHEEL SPINDLE NUT.

A CHILD COULD OPEN THE REAR SIDE COMPARTMENT DOOR AND ENTER THIS COMPARTMENT. THE CHILD COULD BECOME ENTRAPPED IF THE DOOR WERE TO CLOSE, AS IT CANNOT BE UNLATCHED FROM THE INSIDE.

THE CARBURETOR FUEL FEED HOSE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY POSITIONED DURING ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT THE HOSE COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH OR BE TOO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE EMISSION EXHAUST SYSTEM GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE. THIS CAN CAUSE THE HOSE TO RUPTURE.

ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES THE BRAKE STOPLIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WHICH IS OPERATED BY THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH AN INCORRECT LUBRICANT ON THE ACTUATING PLUNGER. THIS CAN CAUSE THE REAR BRAKE STOPLIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL, IF ACTIVATED, TO STAY ELECTRICALLY ENGAGED.

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES". THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH GASOLINE FUEL HOSES IN PLACE OF THE VACUUM HOSE BETWEEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND CARBON CANISTER IN THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM LINE. SHOULD THIS HOSE RUPTURE, IT WOULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS WOULD INCREASE THE DISTANCE REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE.

THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH MAY CAUSE A RANDOM INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE ENGINE STARTING BY ITSELF WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TURNED TO THE "ON" POSITION.

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAVING AN EXTENSION, OR RUBBER FLAP, AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PEDAL. THIS PEDAL FLAP COULD BE INADVERTENTLY DISPLACED BY A FLOOR COVERING AND WEDGED UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN A MANNER THAT CAN INFLUENCE THE THROTTLE SETTING AND INCREASE THE ENGINE IDLE RPM.

AN INCORRECT FLUID WAS USED AS AN ASSEMBLY AID (LUBRICATION) DURING INSTALLATION OF THE PISTON SEAL IN FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS WHICH WERE INSTALLED IN 10.5" X 1" DISC BRAKE ASSEMBLIES USED ON "A" SERIES CARS. THE INCORRECT FLUID ATTACKS THE PISTON SEAL AND CAUSES THEM TO SWELL AND DETERIORATE.

THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING MAY HAVE A LARGER THAN DESIRED INSIDE DIAMETER OF THE LOWER COIL WHERE IT RESTS ON THE SPRING SEAT. THIS COULD ALLOW THE SPRING TO BE FORCED OVER THE LOWER SPRING SEAT DUE TO SUSPENSION FORCES.

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES FAIL TO MEET FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS", IN REGARD TO INCORRECT PLUMBING IN THE LOW AIR PRESSURE WARNING SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, A LOW AIR PRESSURE CONDITION IN THE REAR BRAKE AIR SUPPLY WILL NOT ACTUATE THE WARNING SYSTEM. THE AUDIBLE ALARM WOULD NOT FUNCTION AND THE DRIVER WOULD NOT BE WARNED OF A BRAKE MALFUNCTION.

THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE CLUTCH CONTROL CABLE AND BRAKE PIPE IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS CAN RESULT IN RUBBING CONTACT WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS OPERATED. ALSO, THE BRAKE PIPE CLEARANCE TO THE TRANSMISSION CASE MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, IT COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A FAILURE IN THE BRAKE PIPE, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING ACTION.

FUEL HOSES MAY BE INCORRECTLY POSITIONED AND CONTACT THE RIGHT FRONT DRIVE AXLE BOOT DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME, THE ROTATING BOOT COULD WEAR A HOLE IN THE FUEL HOSE, RESULTING IN FULE LEAKAGE.

THE LONGITUDINAL BODY BARS AT THE REAR CONTROL ARM LOCATION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED INTO THE STRUCTURE. SOME OF THESE BARS MAY HAVE BEEN PULLED DOWN FROM THE BODY DURING SHIPMENT WITH RESULTING DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE OR FUEL LINES. SEPARATION OF THE CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT MAY ALSO RESULT.

OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE IN A MANNER WHICH PRODUCES HARD BOTTOMING OUT OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION MAY CAUSE DEFORMATION OF THE LEFT ENGINE MOUNT SUPPORT STRUCTURE AND ALLOW THE ENGINE MOUNT BRACKET TO CONTACT THE STEERING PITMAN ARM OR STEERING LINKAGE.

VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "ANCHORAGE OF SEATS". THE LOCK BAR IN THE FRONT SEAT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY AND THE ABILITY OF THE SEAT ADJUSTER TO MAINTAIN THE SEAT IN A LATCHED POSITION DURING AN ACCIDENT MAY BE REDUCED.

VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS". AN INCORRECT PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTING SPRING WAS INSTALLED ON CERTAIN VEHICLES. THIS MAY CAUSE INTERFERENCE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE PARKING BRAKES.

LABELS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS". INCORRECT INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED ON TIRE LABELS.

THE FRONT HOSES ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE IMPROPERLY ORIENTED HOSE FITTINGS, RESULTING IN A RUBBING CONTACT BETWEEN THE RIGHT BRAKE HOSE AND THE UPPER CONTROL ARM OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION OR IN A TWISTED LEFT HOSE RESULTING IN A FAULTY ATTACHMENT AT THE FRAME FITTING. SHOULD EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS EXIST, THEY COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN BRAKE HOSE FAILURE CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND CONSEQUENT LOSS OF THE FRONT BRAKING ACTION.

VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE LABELING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS", BECAUSE OF EITHER ONE OR BOTH OF THE FOLLOWING DISCREPANCIES ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL: 1) THE TIRE PRESSURE STATED IS 5 PSI TOO LOW, 2) THE TIRE AND RIM SIZE DESIGNATION IS NOT STATED.

THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING SUPPORT BRACKETS MAY CRACK AT THE CROSS SECTION OF THE ATTACHMENT BOLT CIRCLE. IF THE CRACKING CONDITION IS ALLOWED TO PROGRESS UNTIL A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE SUPPORT BRACKETS OCCUR, THE FUEL TANK CAN DROP FROM THE SUPPORT AND POSSIBLY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH CLEAR LAMP BULBS INSTEAD OF THE CORRECT AMBER COLORED BULBS. AS A RESULT, THESE VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT", WHICH REQUIRES THAT THE FRONT SIDE MARKER LAMPS BE AMBER WHEN ILLUMINATED.