An 83 should have the old-style metal seatbelt buckles, with the GM logo on the button in the center of the buckle.

 

my 83 has the plastic buckles, i take it someone swaped them at one time, but the retractor still falls into the recall.

 

I think my 83 also has the plastic buckles... I will have to look ...

 

Not if it isn't original equipment.

 

What was the recall for exactly? Because my seat belts are screwed.

Oh well I got from 4th gen seat belts coming so hopefully those will work much better.

 

See the links above.

 

Hell, I went to the dealership in June and for some reason they cant get the tool to fix mine in. Im not really worried since I dont mind driving without it on when its nice out, but I wear it all the time in the winter. They better hurry up

 

Just want to think who ever started this. I called the 800# and talk with them and they contacted the dealer in my area. And got everything done in a week. No hassels.........awesome

 

one more note... when I took it in the car had tan belts. i changed them out before the parts came in and they installed the kit in the replcaements no questions asked...again awesome..

maybe I was a lucky one

 

hey guys i need a little help with this one. I just called GM and they said that campaign number 90c22(c) is not a gm recall number. they said theres is all numbers example a recall in 91 would start as 91xxx and an 04 would be 04xxx so any way is there any other recall numbers for our seatbelts other than the 90c22(c)

Please help so i can get this taken care of
Matt

 

There is a later recall keep searching through the literature...

John

 

I just got a 3 minute long message from a chevy dealership saying that ther was never a recall on my car and it just went on and on and on about there was NO recall EVER and about a minute of them thanking me for calling about my question.
I thought i would add my $0.02

 

Latest recall I see for this is 90C22 (c) in Dec. of 1990. Very detailed bulletin and several pages. Number is valid. Bulletin states: "Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to owners, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward." Plain and simple, it's a safety recall and they are to fix it. Covers most Camaros and Firebirds from 84 to 90 on this bulletin.

 

Did anybody see the recall about the wheels on the NHTSA site?

Make : PONTIAC Model : FIREBIRD Year : 1985
Manufacturer : GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 85V018000 Recall Date : FEB 12, 1985
Component: WHEELS:CAP/COVER/HUB
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 2687

Recalls Summary

Make: PONTIAC
Model: FIREBIRD
Type: ANY
Year: 1985
Recall Number: 85V018000
Summary:
THE HUB AREA OF THE WHEELS MAY NOT BE STRUCTURALLY SOUND AND THUS SUBJECT TO FRACTURE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE WHEELS COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CAR CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Consequence:
There is no summary currently available
Remedy:
INSTALL NEW FRONT AND REAR TIRE/WHEEL ASSEMBLIES.
Notes:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH CAST ALUMINUM WHEELS SYSTEM: WHEELS.


Hmmm, has anybody tried to challenge this one? As soon as I come home from school Im going to go to my GM dealer and see what they say about my upper retractors and buttons. Does anybody know if they replace the plastic trim surrounding the seatbelt too? Mine is destroyed from drying out.

 

I called this number after talking to a local dealer and they couldn't find any recall even when I gave them the recall number 90c22. They told me that it would have expired by now anyways even after giving them the serial numbers from both of my cars. I still have the belts that disintegrated and need new ones. I guess the old rule "It depends who you talk to" still applies.

I didn't see this thread until now and I want to thank Aviator857 for the links provided. :hail: :hail: :hail: I will take this information down to my local dealer with the info and try again.

 

i have been looking for a recall on a 1989 iroc, convertible, the shoulder belt will not retract. i found the link for the model year of 83,84, and 85 but not 1989. Is there one or did I over look it?? If there is a link, please direct it to me.

Appreciate your help.

 

Hey guys, I was surfin' this site and came across the recall stuff. Went to my local dealer, Hansen Chevrolet in Roseburg Oregon, and while I talked to a girl I went to highschool with and looked at the new 'Vette the service dept. guy checked out my V.I.N. and seatbelts, ordered the parts, and took my name & number saying he'd call me when they came in. That was a few days ago. Oh yeah, and they only come in black. And thats two new blk buckles for the front AND new guts for the back buckles. Turns out their covered too. Don't know why anyone would have a problem w/ a dealership, GM foots the bill!

Burn 'em if 'ya got 'em

 

I took my car in and they were baically confused... like they did not want to do anything for me...

Black is no biggie, I have a Black interior

John

 

I recently experienced these same problems. They said the main reason the dealerships have a hard time handling the recall is that the computer systems they have only have, I believe, VIN numbers from 1990 to present. To finally get this solved my dad ended out calling Chevrolet multiple times constantly being told my seatbelts were not subject to the recall. I continued to research it and got the .pdf file of the recall online at what time he contacted Chevy again just to be denied. Then my dad inquired when my seatbelts were changed. They never could give us a date so we called NTSB and had a representative work with the compliance part at Chevrolet at what time they allowed me to take my car to a local dealership to be inspected to see if it fell under the conditions, at which it did. They then replaced them. This however still makes me mad because my car is almost 100% original with under 30000 miles on it and a red interior. They put in black replacements saying they could not order red ones anymore...

 

i have been on the phone with GM for about two hours now, at this point i have like 15 different refference numbers for varius recalls. ALL of them GM denies any existence of. they say my VIN shows no outstanding recals. they just keep telling me to take it to a dealer and get my non working belts fixed at my own expense. HECK with that. i am not paying $200+ to get my belts fixed nor should i need to use junkyard buckles, it is a matter of principal now!! i am going to war and i am not coming back without their head!

i have left a voicemail with the NHTSA and they should call me back soon.....

 

I had the same issue. What GM said was that it was fixed or the VIN would be in their list. I thought it was BS as they should have a record of the recall being done. What is plausible though is that a dealer DID fix it years ago and they replaced it with crap parts which broke.

$10 at a u-pull-it junkyard.

 

yeah, i COULD do that... or I could spend 3 times the time that would take, just to save ten bucks. Victory shall be mine!

i have complained to the NHSTA. We will see if there is anything they can do, if not I will be buying the 4$ repair kit off of gmpartsdirect.com.

GM will rue the day they crossed me... these atrocities will not soon be forgotten, no I’ll not soon be forgetting... the atrocities

 

I just got the seat belt button and the seat belt retractor recall parts for my '84 T/A from the local dealer. The cost was $3.92 and $8.99, respectively. I'd rather do the work myself.

The retractor recall clips come in a box of 10 so if anybody wants some PM me. Two required per vehicle.

 

738,485 1983-85 - Shoulder belt doesn't retract (85V-169);

mine does this, but this topic is wicked long, anyone wanna gimme the short version on what to do?

 

http://members.shaw.ca/crussel/recalls/85c23/85c23.html

 

The plastic circle shaped housing on the side with the "retractor spring" inside is only held on with friction and pops off over time. The recall involves a wire clip that goes onto the side of the seatbelt retactor to prevent the spring housing from coming off.

I've had the spring housing pop off on my '84 T/A atleast five times in the last seven years.

 

so should i just go to my nearest GM dealer and ask them to fix it?

 

some more info for you to read.......
http://www.alldata.com/TSB/10/841002HC.html
hope this will help out......

 

I just called GM Customer Service (1-800-263-3777 - Canada) and they said they couldn't go back further than 1992. She did give me a number for Vintage something-or-other...and I called the guy there.

I gave him my VIN# and he immediately told me the recall had been done. So just for fun, I asked him to check my Grand Am also and it wasn't done. It's an ignition switch problem. But according to him my Firebird was already done. ( I only asked about the Grand Am to make sure he doesn't say the "recalls have been done" to every person that calls )

The number for the Vintage place is 1-888-467-6853

My passenger seatbelt is really sticky, and hard to get out of. My bf says it looks like it wasn't done, he was the one who basically got stuck in it almost. So if it was done, wouldn't it NOT be sticky like that, or would it still?

 

try some WD-40...after 16 or so years it may have a little bit of gunk in it..........

 

just wonderin about something ive got an 83 firebird and they're sayin my vin doesnt fall in with the recall but my car is showing the same problem the drivers belt wont retract any help would be greatly appreciated
Steven

 

NHTSA

Search your car, and you'll find 2 recalls...there is one on seatbelts:
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 85V169000
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING


Transport Canada Recalls

On this site, it shows 4 different recalls for 1983 Firebird's. The last one, Recall #1986002 is for seatbelts, but only for the front shoulder belt...worth checking out anyway.

I'm sure someone else on here, would know and would be more help.

 

i spent about 5 hrs on the phone with gm (corprate and local) trying to get them to see things my way and they won't so i said, screw it i will call the NTHSA on them, one call to them today. lady said, oh i am sorry sir after ten years they no longer need to perform recals.

consumer gets screwed.... THE END

 

The seatbelts in some older cars like the third gen camaro only lockup when the car slows down suddenly. A device in the seatbelt locking mechanism continues to move forward due to inertia while the car itself slowsdown, causing the belt to lock. As a result, a tough tug on the belt while the car isn't moving does nothing.

Reading all your posts on this topic has me hopeful and worried at the same time. I have only had my '86 Camaro for about a year, and the seatbelt have been on my list of things to fix. Now knowing they are a recall item, it would be nice to get them repaired for free...but reading about all the difficulties some of you have gone through has me worried. I am almost certain that the recall has not been performed, but I have no way to know for sure. Now knowing they are a recall item, it would be nice to get them repaired for free...but reading about all the difficulties some of you have gone through has me worried. I will call Chevy and ask about my VIN and I will let you guys know. Not everyday a 20 year old car gets a recall installed though, that's for sure

***ADDED***

I just got off the phone with the GM Canada's helpline. I gave my VIN and according to them, there are no open recalls on the car at this time. I can somewhat believe this, since my belt buttons are still perfectly orange and not faded like they would be if weakened. But from what I have read of your comments, the recall was to replace ALL belts, and not just the ones of certain VIN numbers...so I am still somewhat sceptical. My belts do retract, but it often takes 2-3 tugs to get it to a tightness I feel safe with and takes even longer when it is colder. So..I am not sure.

Also, don't call the vintage number first. The main line has all the information you need and don't let them tell you otherwise. It is a seperate database though, so save yourself some time and tell them you car is pre-92 before you tell them your VIN. Good luck.

 

The recall wasn't to replace the belts. It was to only replace a belt if the plastic buckle was fractured.

The recall involved removing the orange buttons and replacing them with a different version that was more UV stable. On 84-early 89 cars there was a small stainless steel guide insert that was then snaped onto the buckle assembly.

The seat belt retractor recall involved 83-85 cars. The return spring for the belt on the upper retractor was held on with friction and would loosen up and fall off. The retractor is designed that if you pull the belt out until you hear some clicks it will not retract back in. You need to pull the belt some more until you don't hear the clicks to retract the belt fully.

 

Sorry, I didn't mean belts...but I was refering to the retractor mech. mostly

 

well i stoped in at the local chevy dealer monday after i had gotten another copy of the recall from mitchell on demand at my school and friday when i stopped in to check on it they had gotten the part ordered and my car is scheduled wednsday to be fixed finally
steven

 

I am confused...should I insist my belts be replaced even though they say they shouldn't be?

 

well they said the recall had been done but it didnt fix it so under the recall there gonna put in new retractor assemblies if i can find the part number so im asking for ur help does anyone have a recent part number for the seatbelt retractors thanks steven

 

I went through the entire thread and couldn't find what I'm looking for. I have the problem of the front seatbelts on my 85 firebird no retracting. I saw a link for the camaro's, is there a link for the proof of a recall on the firebirds? If not does anyone have the part numbers for the retractors?

 

Recall 85-C-08
April 09, 86

Part number 20681871
Quantity per vehicle 2
Description: Seatbelt retractor retainer
Packed ten in package
I searched in Pontiac and got the recall but the actual text is for Camaro and gives some production sequences.

 

i dont need the part number for the retainers i need it for the retractors

 

My 89 formula driver seatbelt doesnt retract. I dont see anything specific in the recall for my bird. I have looked at the seatbelt recall for the latch ( PDF ) but does anyone have the GM document that refers to the retractor?

Need some amunition as the dealership and GM are saying: Were sorry Its no biggie for now as the car is now disassembled to be painted. If I cant get it covered by Gm , I definitely will not risk my bacon over some green for the retractor issue. However, if I can get GM to fix thier short fall regarding saftey I will give it a try first. ( Plan A)

(Plan B) Order the parts myself, shut-up and get it done.

Does anyone know what the part numbers are for the retractor fix for my 89 bird? Is it the same as the others posted? Sorry if I missed it!!!! Lots to read.........

Thanks to all that have posted info on this topic!!

 

Part numbers are the same for the Camaro and Firebird. I didn't have to buy anything for mine, I just rewound the retractor spring, put the cap back on and secured it with a piece of steel wire similar to the pictures in the recall notice.

 

Apeiron, thanks for the reply , I have seen your post along with this one from Dens71TA but I dont see anything specific to my 89 Formula regarding the retractor problem.

You know what they say when you assume but I did however assume that the problem was corrected, at least in GMs mind, since I have yet to see a notice thats similiar for my year. If i'm wrong and someone has some info I would be greatful to see it.

I will be down at the shop this weekend to have a look at the mechanism to see if the same thing is happening to mine, as described for the previous years.

P.S. the lady that owned the car prior to me took care of the latch issue.

Thanks again to all who have dug up this info and regards,

Chickenhawk

 

It's not too difficult to take the headliner down to see whats going on.

 

The '86-up retractors used two screws to hold on the belt return spring so thats definately not your problem on your '89 unless some bozo did some hacking.

 

The dealership definitley tries to give you the "run around" (for some reason)...even when i called GM directly, they made it sound as if the info was hard to find and that they would have to "research it"...but they gave me a campaign number of 99043 for my 1988 camaro seat belt recall...they must not be too concerned about our saftey if they are resistent about doing the recall...

 

From what I read and hear, GM is about bankrupt. Holding back payments to dealer service shops and cutting time rates for repairs, and doing everything possible to make bandaid repairs at that. Figure the dealers that actually will fix these belts are doing it for good relations, not making money at it. What I see from the local dealers with warranty work on new stuff, I wouldn't even try to get my buckles fixed, and they sure need it. I'll wait until they break up and buy some new belts or something. You guys that do get these fixed at your local dealer, that's a real good recommendation for the dealer I'd think.

 

hey guys for the discoloring if it hasn't blistered yet armor all the hell out of it and rub it with a cloth it takes a while but it will fix it, you will have to do it when they go white again. Bout a year or two