1990 Seat Belt recall - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Fast36 · 04-14-2020

I found out in 2016 right after I purchased my ZR1 that there was a seat belt recall. The dealership Flemings Ultimate Garage in Rockville MD failed to tell me this. I'm going to make a very long story as short as possible. I've been in contact with GM Executive Customer Service since 2017. I brought my car to Paramus Chevrolet to have the new seat belts supplied by GM installed. They didn't fit. I asked both Paramus Chevrolet and GM who made them. No response. I've reminded GM numerous times that I'm driving a car that I could get injured or killed in if I were in an accident. Does anyone know who made the correct seat belts back in 1991 that satisfied the recall? Do you know if there still in business? I've suggested to GM to have the seat belts removed, sent to the manufacturer of their current supplier, determine which parts failed, have the correct parts made and installed, tested for safety and returned to the dealership and installed in my car. Sounds reasonable? Well GM said they would consider my suggestion. Now if anyone has Torch Red seat belts which will fit my ZR1 please let me know. The caveat is I need the serial number from the car they came out of so I can check to see if the recall was satisfied. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Corvette95 · 04-14-2020

Soooo. did the dealer replace the seatbelts? When you say they didn't fit can you elaborate? What is the vin# on your car? Are you certain the recall was never done? I can help you with this but need that info, you can PM me if needed. How long have you owned it?

DRM500RUBYZR-1 · 04-14-2020

If you are buying a used car from a dealer, ask for either the Carfax Report or their competitor Equifax Car Check Report, or run your own!

Either one will pick up any open recalls on a particular car.

If they do not provide it, or if you are purchasing from a private party, or even just to double check, you can use the following link to the GM Recall Database.

https://my.gm.com/recalls

Best to do this before you buy.

It seemed as if everyone who wanted to trade a high end European car to me, all had bad Takata air bags that had never been replaced. The above reports catch it everytime.

Marty

Ccmano · 04-14-2020

It appears this recall is for the right side seatbelt retractor. Mine is outstanding as well.
H

Corvette95 · 04-14-2020

I have never seen it for one side only, likely your driver side has been completed so it is not showing up. Back in the day, the SOP was test for binding and replace only as needed.

Ccmano · 04-14-2020

Here’s the wording on the NHTSA site. It appears it was only conducted if the retractor mechanism locked up.
H

Mystic ZR-1 · 04-14-2020

I went thru this with GM about 9 years ago on my 90 when one of mine crapped out.
The local dealer was useless. Suprise? Got ahold of someone at GM who admitted they were still responsible because it’s a safety item. After screwing around with them for months, all they could come up with was belts of the wrong color. No go... So, after much searching, I located some NOS belts of the right color at a Chevy dealer in Missouri, but the nice folks at GM said they couldn’t use them because they weren’t in their custody. I guess a GM dealer doesn’t count?
Bottom line, do yourself a favor, don’t lose any sleep and if they crap out, just buy some used ones, they’re easy to find and cheap!
Who really cares about an open recall on a 30 year old car? Even NCRS doesn’t care.
FWIW, I went thru this recall in 1990 with my one year old 89. The dealer got the parts and replaced them. They screwed it up, no surprise! The mechanic bolted the seat back into the car on top of the belt! MORON! I removed the seat from the car and remedied the problem myself and haven’t returned since.

Vette Guy · 04-14-2020

Having ridden in another member's ZR-1 after the dealer installed the GM replacement belts, I have no plans to do it. The belts did not work, as 4 out of 5 times they locked while pulling them out. Such a pain that we took great care to prevent them from retracting when we got out, buckling them when not in the car. They didn't look right either. If it's not broken.....

Fast36 · 04-14-2020

Thanks for the reply. The dealer attempted to install the new belts. The retractor was too large. They implied they'd need to move the seats then retracted that statement. I have the GM recall already states both sides aren't compliant. I purchased the car December 2016. How will the Vin assist you?

Fast36 · 04-14-2020

I received the CarFax report from my DMV. Needless to say I was pissed. The dealership showed me a report saying it was better that CarFax (BS)

04-14-2020	#1
Fast36 Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 26	1990 Seat Belt recall I found out in 2016 right after I purchased my ZR1 that there was a seat belt recall. The dealership Flemings Ultimate Garage in Rockville MD failed to tell me this. I'm going to make a very long story as short as possible. I've been in contact with GM Executive Customer Service since 2017. I brought my car to Paramus Chevrolet to have the new seat belts supplied by GM installed. They didn't fit. I asked both Paramus Chevrolet and GM who made them. No response. I've reminded GM numerous times that I'm driving a car that I could get injured or killed in if I were in an accident. Does anyone know who made the correct seat belts back in 1991 that satisfied the recall? Do you know if there still in business? I've suggested to GM to have the seat belts removed, sent to the manufacturer of their current supplier, determine which parts failed, have the correct parts made and installed, tested for safety and returned to the dealership and installed in my car. Sounds reasonable? Well GM said they would consider my suggestion. Now if anyone has Torch Red seat belts which will fit my ZR1 please let me know. The caveat is I need the serial number from the car they came out of so I can check to see if the recall was satisfied. Any help is greatly appreciated.

04-14-2020	#2
Corvette95 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Decatur, AL Posts: 1,107	Re: 1990 Seat Belt recall Soooo. did the dealer replace the seatbelts? When you say they didn't fit can you elaborate? What is the vin# on your car? Are you certain the recall was never done? I can help you with this but need that info, you can PM me if needed. How long have you owned it? __________________ Corvette95 Registry and Forum (*************) 1989 C4 Conv Wht/Gry Auto Hardtop Top Flight SOLD 1995 C4 Coupe Purple/Blk 6 Speed 1989 C4 Conv Wht/Red Auto SOLD 1996 C4 Conv Black/Tan Auto SOLD 1994 C4 Coupe Wht/Blk SOLD 1995 C4 ZR-1 White/Gry #278 Dual Dunn Head SOLD 1986 C4 Coupe Black/Red 4+3 SOLD 1990 C4 ZR-1 Red/Red #0454

04-14-2020	#3
DRM500RUBYZR-1 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mullica Hill, New Jersey Posts: 2,566	Re: 1990 Seat Belt recall If you are buying a used car from a dealer, ask for either the Carfax Report or their competitor Equifax Car Check Report, or run your own! Either one will pick up any open recalls on a particular car. If they do not provide it, or if you are purchasing from a private party, or even just to double check, you can use the following link to the GM Recall Database. https://my.gm.com/recalls Best to do this before you buy. It seemed as if everyone who wanted to trade a high end European car to me, all had bad Takata air bags that had never been replaced. The above reports catch it everytime. Marty Last edited by DRM500RUBYZR-1; 04-14-2020 at 02:43 PM.

04-14-2020	#4
Ccmano Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sparks, NV Posts: 2,852	Re: 1990 Seat Belt recall It appears this recall is for the right side seatbelt retractor. Mine is outstanding as well. H __________________ 90'ZR-1 #1461 Red/Black Ported Intake, Degreed Cams, OBX Headers & Exhaust, Fidanza FW, Secondary Delete, Custom tune, C6 GS Wheels. Sold 08 C6 Z51 Crystal Red Metallic Sold Vararam Intake, Tune, Sold 05 C6 Z51 Red/Black Sold 90'ZR-1 #1723 Black/Gray Sold but not forgotten 91' Z51 L98 White Vert. My First, you always remember your first. Sold.

04-14-2020	#5
Corvette95 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Decatur, AL Posts: 1,107	Re: 1990 Seat Belt recall I have never seen it for one side only, likely your driver side has been completed so it is not showing up. Back in the day, the SOP was test for binding and replace only as needed. __________________ Corvette95 Registry and Forum (*************) 1989 C4 Conv Wht/Gry Auto Hardtop Top Flight SOLD 1995 C4 Coupe Purple/Blk 6 Speed 1989 C4 Conv Wht/Red Auto SOLD 1996 C4 Conv Black/Tan Auto SOLD 1994 C4 Coupe Wht/Blk SOLD 1995 C4 ZR-1 White/Gry #278 Dual Dunn Head SOLD 1986 C4 Coupe Black/Red 4+3 SOLD 1990 C4 ZR-1 Red/Red #0454

04-14-2020	#6
Ccmano Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sparks, NV Posts: 2,852	Re: 1990 Seat Belt recall Here’s the wording on the NHTSA site. It appears it was only conducted if the retractor mechanism locked up. H __________________ 90'ZR-1 #1461 Red/Black Ported Intake, Degreed Cams, OBX Headers & Exhaust, Fidanza FW, Secondary Delete, Custom tune, C6 GS Wheels. Sold 08 C6 Z51 Crystal Red Metallic Sold Vararam Intake, Tune, Sold 05 C6 Z51 Red/Black Sold 90'ZR-1 #1723 Black/Gray Sold but not forgotten 91' Z51 L98 White Vert. My First, you always remember your first. Sold.

04-14-2020	#7
Mystic ZR-1 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Mystic CT Posts: 2,606	Re: 1990 Seat Belt recall I went thru this with GM about 9 years ago on my 90 when one of mine crapped out. The local dealer was useless. Suprise? Got ahold of someone at GM who admitted they were still responsible because it’s a safety item. After screwing around with them for months, all they could come up with was belts of the wrong color. No go... So, after much searching, I located some NOS belts of the right color at a Chevy dealer in Missouri, but the nice folks at GM said they couldn’t use them because they weren’t in their custody. I guess a GM dealer doesn’t count? Bottom line, do yourself a favor, don’t lose any sleep and if they crap out, just buy some used ones, they’re easy to find and cheap! Who really cares about an open recall on a 30 year old car? Even NCRS doesn’t care. FWIW, I went thru this recall in 1990 with my one year old 89. The dealer got the parts and replaced them. They screwed it up, no surprise! The mechanic bolted the seat back into the car on top of the belt! MORON! I removed the seat from the car and remedied the problem myself and haven’t returned since.

04-14-2020	#8
Vette Guy Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 625	Re: 1990 Seat Belt recall Having ridden in another member's ZR-1 after the dealer installed the GM replacement belts, I have no plans to do it. The belts did not work, as 4 out of 5 times they locked while pulling them out. Such a pain that we took great care to prevent them from retracting when we got out, buckling them when not in the car. They didn't look right either. If it's not broken..... __________________ Mark Horner President, ZR-1 Net Registry 91 ZR-1 #2016 95 ZR-1 #21 DRM-600, LPE 385

04-14-2020	#9
Fast36 Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 26	Re: 1990 Seat Belt recall Thanks for the reply. The dealer attempted to install the new belts. The retractor was too large. They implied they'd need to move the seats then retracted that statement. I have the GM recall already states both sides aren't compliant. I purchased the car December 2016. How will the Vin assist you?

04-14-2020	#10
Fast36 Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 26	Re: 1990 Seat Belt recall I received the CarFax report from my DMV. Needless to say I was pissed. The dealership showed me a report saying it was better that CarFax (BS)