For 1990-2009 cars

# Outer Rear Seat Belts Difficult to Fasten

Subject: | Outer Rear Seat Belts Difficult to Fasten (Install Rear Seat Belt Plastic Sleeve; Install Rear Seat Belt Assembly -- Retractor Side)

Models: | 1997-99 Buick LeSabre

| 1997-99 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight, LSS, Regency

| 1997-99 Pontiac Bonneville

This bulletin is being revised to add the 1998-99 model years, update part numbers, service procedure operations and labor operation codes. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 73-16-15 (Section 10 -- Body)

### Condition

Some customers may comment that the outer rear seat belts are difficult to fasten.

### Cause

Refer to Cause #1 for vehicles built (WITHOUT slotted seats) PRIOR to the following VIN Breakpoints:

Year/Model | VIN Breakpoint
--- | ---
1997 Buick LeSabre | VH601436
1997 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight, LSS, Regency | V4860599
1997 Pontiac Sunfire | V4200007 (Orion Plant) VH268450 (Buick City)

Refer to Cause #2 for vehicles built (WITH slotted seats) AFTER the following VIN Breakpoints:

Year/Model | VIN Breakpoint
--- | ---
1997 Buick LeSabre | VH600929
1997 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight, LSS, Regency | V4860590
1997 Pontiac Sunfire | V4200006 (Orion Plant) VH268170 (Buick City)

The VIN numbers of the above 1997 vehicles overlap because these vehicles were built with a combination of rear seats with and without slots.

Refer to Cause #2 for the following vehicles:

Year/Model
1998-99 Buick LeSabre
1998-99 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight, LSS, Regency
1998-99 Pontiac Bonneville

### Cause #1

This condition may be due to the buckle portion of the rear center seat belt slipping down between the seat back and the seat cushion.

### Correction #1

Install the rear seat belt plastic sleeve on the webbing of the rear seat center belt (buckle side).

1. Remove the rear seat cushion. Refer to the Seats and Carpet section of the Service Manual.
2. Remove the rear center seat belt (buckle side) nut from the mounting stud on the floor pan.
3. Remove the rear center seat belt (buckle side) tab from the mounting stud.
4. Attach the plastic sleeve, P/N 25675181 (2 per package), to the underside of the rear center seat belt (buckle side) webbing. See Figure 1. Ensure that the webbing is fully engaged in the slot by pulling on the webbing so that it covers the full width of the slot.
5. Install the rear center seat belt (buckle side) tab over the mounting stud on the floor pan.
6. Install the rear center seat belt (buckle side) nut on the mounting stud.

Tighten
Tighten the rear center seat belt (buckle side) nut to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).

7. Install the rear seat cushion. Refer to the Seats and Carpet section of the Service Manual.
8. If the condition still exists, go to Step 9.
9. Install the rear seat belt assembly (retractor side).

Use the replacement part numbers below for vehicles built WITHOUT slotted seats. Refer to the Seat Belts section of the Service Manual.

### Parts Information

1997 1st Design Part Numbers
P/N | Color | RPO Code
12457373 | Graphite | 12l
12457374 | Gray Medium | 17l
12457377 | Toreador Red | 51l
12457378 | Neutral Light | 52l
12457379 | Neutral Medium | 56l
12457380 | Very Dark Gray | 93l
12457375 | Dark Blue Adriatic | 30l
12457376 | Dark Teal | 37l

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

### Cause #2

This condition may be due to the length of the outer rear seat belt (retractor side) not being long enough.

### Correction #2

The length of the webbing in the outer rear seat belt assembly was increased 127 mm (5 in) in order to allow for ease of latching.

• | Use the replacement part numbers below for vehicles built WITH slotted seats.

• | Refer to the Seat Belts section of the Service Manual.

### Parts Information

1997 2nd Design Part Numbers
P/N | Color | RPO Code
12455812 | Graphite | 12l
12455813 | Gray Medium | 17l
12455814 | Regal Blue | 27l
12455815 | Toreador Red | 51l
12455816 | Neutral Light | 52l
12455817 | Neutral Medium | 56l
12455818 | Light Oak | 65l
12455819 | Medium Dark Oak | 67l
12455820 | Very Dark Gray | 93l

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

### Warranty Information

Use the following information for vehicles repaired under warranty:

Labor Operation | Description | Labor Time
--- | --- | ---
C9200 | Belt, Safety Rear (Retractor Side) RH - Replace | Use published labor operation time
C9201 | Belt, Safety Rear (Retractor Side) LH - Replace
C9205 | Belt, Safety Rear (Retractor Side) Both - Replace
C9206 | Belt, Safety Rear Ctr (Buckle Side) - Replace
Add | To Install Plastic Sleeve (Authorization Required) | 0.2 hr