Sample Owner Letter & Information Attachment
IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICERecall No. 293, Seat Back Welds
NHTSA No. 94V-226
VIN: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
January 12, 1995
Mr. James Sample
1234 Any Street
City, State Zip Code
Dear Mr. Sample,
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Saab Automobile AB has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1994 and 1995 model year Saab 900 models. Our records indicate you are the current owner or driver of a Saab within the affected VIN range.
This recall involves a dealer inspection for missing seat welds on the driver's and front passenger's seats. The attachment contains a complete explanation and the specific inspection and, if necessary, repairs which will be performed on your Saab. It also explains the precautions you should take until you can bring your Saab in to your dealer.
We urge you to call your Saab dealer and make arrangements to have your car inspected as soon as possible afier January 15, 1995. That is the date by which we expect dealers will have complete inspection and repair information. Of course, there will be no charge for this service.
Saab appreciates your cooperation and understanding regarding this situation and we will do our best, along with your dealer, to minimize any inconvenience. Please be assured that the identification of this problem arises out of Saab's continuing commitment to stringent quality control and an overriding concern for the safety of Saab drivers and passengers.
If you no longer own this Saab, please complete the form on the back of this letter and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.
OWNER INFORMATION ATTACHMENT:
SAAB RECALL NO.293
I. What is the defect?
During routine follow-up on consumer reports from several countries, Saab found that it was possible that the front seat assemblies supplied to Saab were missing one or more of the arc welds that join the seat back recliner mechanism to the seat back frame.
Until this defect can be corrected, please follow these precautions;
^ Avoid pushing or pulling on the seat back more than what is done in normal driving.
^ Should you have any concerns1 contact your nearest Saab dealer or the Saab Customer Assistance Center (1-800-955-9007).
II. What are the safety risks?
Seats with the missing arc weld(s) could result in a seat back that falls backwards under such a load typically sustained when your car is impacted from the rear. Sudden failure of a driver seat back could occur without prior warning and cause the driver to lose control1 resulting in a vehicle crash. In such situations, there is a resulting risk of injury.
III. What is Saab going to do?
Saab Oars USA, Inc. has made arrangements with its authorized Saab dealers to remedy this defect without charge to you, beginning on January 15, 1995. We urge you to make an appointment with your Saab dealer as soon thereafter as conveniently possible. Please bring this letter with you on the day of your appointment.
The dealer will visually inspect the seat back welds on both front seats by pulling up on the back cover to expose the weld area. If any weld(s) is missing, the dealer will replace the seat back frame with a new one manufactured with the proper welding. While this inspection takes only a few minutes to complete, the dealership may need to keep your car for a short time because of the flow of work in and out of their service department. If the seat back needs replacing, the dealership will need to keep your car. Once the dealership has obtained a new seat back frame, the time to complete the repair is approximately 2 hours per seat.
IV. What if you have a problem getting this recall performed?
Saab's Customer Assistance Center is available to assist you in resolving any such problem and may be contacted toll free at 1-800-955-9007. You may also submit a complaint to the Administrator, NHTSA, 400 Seventh St. SW, Washington, DC 20590 or call the toll free Auto Safety Hotline at 800-424-9393 (Washington, DC area residents may call 366-0123), if you believe that Saab Cars USA, Inc. or any authorized Saab dealer has failed or is unable to remedy this defect within a reasonable time, which is not longer than 60 days after you, first bring your car to your dealer after January 15,1995.