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Pontiac Montana Seats Front Assembly Recliner Safety Report | Aug 01, 2000
Reported on Aug 01, 2000
| HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE SAFETY HARNESS LATCHING MECHANISM ON LEFT AND CENTER INDIVIDUAL BUCKET SEATS IN THE MIDDLE ROW (IMMEDIATELY BEHIND DRIVER). THE CENTER SEAT FAILURE WAS RECORDED WITH THE CENTER SEAT MOVED TO THE LEFT SIDE POSITION. THE FAILURE MODE IS THAT THE 3-POINT HARNESS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WILL RELEASE UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN THE OCCUPANT SHIFTS POSITION IN THE SEAT. THE UNXPECTED RELEASE OCCURS WHEN PRESSURE IS EXERTED OUTWARD ON THE HARNESS AGAINST THE RELEASE BUTTON ON THE RECEIVER PORTION OF THE HARNESS (SECTION BOLTED TO THE SEAT). A COSMETIC PLASTIC COVER ON THE METAL PLATE ON THE BELT PORTION OF THE HARNESS APPARENTLY WILL DEPRESS THE RELEASE BUTTON ON THE RECEIVER CAUSING THE HARNESS TO RELEASE UNEXPECTEDLY. NEITHER THE RECEIVER OR THE BELT SECTION OF THE HARNESS APPEARS TO BE DAMAGED OR WORN SIGNIFICANTLY. THE RELEASE BUTTON ON THE RECEIVER PORTION OF THE HARNESS WILL RELEASE WHEN DEPRESSED ONLY (APPROXIMATELY) .09-.13 INCHES. WAS PLANNING TO REPLACE THE RECEIVER ON THE LEFT SEAT, ASSUMING A DEFECTIVE PART, WHEN THE RECEIVER ON THE CENTER SEAT DEMONSTATED THE SAME PROBLEM. CONTACTED DEALER AND GENERAL MOTORS CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE HOTLINE (AT RECOMMENDATION OF DEALER DUE TO MILEAGE ON VEHICLE). NO ASSISTANCE GIVEN. REQUESTED A FORMAL COMPLAINT BE FILED WITH GENERAL MOTORS. GM REQUESTED THAT A REPORT OF THE INCIDENT BE REPORTED WITH NHTSA. END OF REPORT. | |
| Make: | Pontiac |
| Model: | Montana |
| Manufactured by: | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| Year: | 1998 |
| Was a crash reported? | |
| Was an injury reported? | |
| Was a death reported? | |
| Was a fire reported? | N |
| Location: | ADAMS NE |
| Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): | 1GMDX03E5WD |
| Mileage: | |
| Speed: | |
| Number of cylinders: | |
| Vehicle type: | FWD |
| Vehicle fuel: | GAS N/A. |
| Was a police report filed? | N |
| Tire size: | |
| Dealer name and location: | |
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