For 1990-2009 cars

# Info - Seat Belt System Replacement Guidelines for Vehicles Involved in Collisions

Subject: | Seat Belt System Replacement Guidelines for Vehicles Involved in Collisions

Models: | 2002 and Prior Passenger Cars and Trucks

The following information should be used as guidelines for determining if seat belt system components require replacement after a vehicle has been involved in a collision.

Caution: Restraint systems can be damaged in a collision. To help avoid injury and ensure that all parts in need of replacement are replaced:

• | Replace any seat belt system that was in use during a collision serious enough to deploy any automatic restraint device such as air bags and seat belt pretensioners. This not only includes seat belt systems in use by people of adult size, but seat belt systems used to secure child restraints, infant carriers and booster seats, including LATCH* system and top tether anchorages.

• | Replace any seat belt system that has torn, worn, or damaged components. This not only includes adult seat belt systems, but built-in child restraints and LATCH system components, if any.

• | Replace any seat belt system if you observe the words "REPLACE" or "CAUTION", or if a yellow tag is visible. Do not replace a seat belt system if only the child seat caution label is visible.

• | Replace any seat belt system if you are doubtful about its condition. This not only includes adult seat belt systems, but built-in child restraints, LATCH system components, and any restraint system used to secure infant carriers, child restraints and booster seats.

Do NOT replace single seat belt system components in vehicles that have been in a collision as described above. Always replace the entire seat belt system with the buckle, guide and retractor assembly, which includes the latch and webbing material.

After a minor collision where no automatic restraint device was deployed, seat belt system replacement may not be necessary, unless some of the parts are torn, worn, or otherwise damaged.

*LATCH is the industry-standard acronym for the built-in child restraint securing system - Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children. Latch consists of the top strap anchors in the vehicle, as well as the built-in "receivers" for LATCH-equipped, aftermarket child restraints.