09-09-40-001A

SB-10038294-5827
Service Bulletin
File In Section:
09 - Restraints
Bulletin No.:
09-09-40-001A
Date:
February, 2011
INFORMATION
Subject:
Seat Belt Buckle Latching Issues and/or Seat Belt Warning Lights Illuminated
Models:
2011 and Prior GM Passenger Cars and Trucks (Including Saturn)
2010 and Prior HUMMER H2, H3
2009 and Prior Saab 9-7 X
This bulletin is being revised to add the 2011 model year. Please discard Corporate
Bulletin Number 09-09-40-001 (Section 09 – Restraints).
This bulletin is being published to advise dealers about
seat belt buckles not operating and/or seat belt warning
light illumination, as well as difficulty latching and
unlatching the buckle or the buckle release button
sticking.
Analysis of warranty data has determined that this
condition may be caused by sticky beverages being
spilled onto or into the seat belt buckle assembly.
Foreign debris from food, candy wrappers, paper and
coins can also contribute to this condition.
Important: If foreign material (debris) or sticky liquids
are the cause of the concern, show the customer the
condition of the component (buckle assembly) and
explain how it is affecting the function of the restraint
system. Strongly recommend that the component be
replaced. Point out the fact that this is not a
manufacturing defect and is not covered by the new
vehicle warranty. If the customer declines to have parts
replaced, the service department management must
make a notation on the service record that the lack of
functionality of seating position with an inoperative
buckle was fully explained to the customer. The service
department management must advise the customer
that having a non-functioning buckle in a seating
position voids ability to use that seating position (no
one should ride in the seat). Also make the customer
aware that it may be against the law to ride in a vehicle
without wearing a restraint system.
Copyright 2011 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.
Important: Never insert anything other than the seat
belt latch plate into the buckle assembly. Do not
attempt to dig anything out of a buckle with a tool. Never
try to wash out a buckle to remove a spilled liquid as
this may damage the buckle.
Use the following steps to determine the cause of the
concern.
1. Inspect the buckle assembly with a light shining
on the latch plate insertion area. Look for any
debris or foreign objects in the buckle.
2. If any debris or foreign objects are observed, try
to vacuum out the item. After the foreign material
is removed, latch and unlatch the seat belt. If the
system functions properly, do not replace the seat
belt buckle assembly.
3. If the condition has not been corrected, inspect
the buckle assembly for any sticky residue. If sticky
residue is found, inform the customer that a
substance was spilled on the seat belt buckle
assembly causing the malfunction. The buckle
assembly will need to be replaced at the customer’s
expense.
4. Refer to SI for seat belt component replacement.
Page 2
February, 2011
SB-10038294-5827
Important: If foreign material (debris) or sticky liquids
are the cause of the concern, show the customer the
condition of the component (buckle assembly) and
explain how it is affecting the function of the restraint
system. Strongly recommend that the component be
replaced at the customer’s expense. Point out the fact
that this is not a manufacturing defect and is not
covered by the new vehicle warranty. If the customer
declines to have parts replaced, the service department
management must make a notation on the service
record that the lack of functionality of seating position
Bulletin No.: 09-09-40-001A
with an inoperative buckle was fully explained to the
customer. The service department management must
advise customer that having a non-functioning buckle
in a seating position voids ability to use that seating
position (no one should ride in the seat). Also make the
customer aware that it may be against the law to ride
in a vehicle without wearing a restraint system.
5. If further restraint diagnosis is required, refer to
Seat Belt System Operational and Functional
Checks in SI.
GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a ″do-it-yourselfer″. They are written to inform these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of
a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and
safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that
condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY
TECHNICIAN
CERTIFICATION

SB-10038294-1327
Service Bulletin
File in Section:
09 - Restraints
Bulletin No.:
09-09-40-001B
Date:
January, 2012
INFORMATION
Subject:
Seat Belt Buckle Latching Issues and/or Seat Belt Warning Lights Illuminated
Models:
2013 and Prior GM Passenger Cars and Trucks
This bulletin is being revised to add model years. Please discard Corporate Bulletin
Number 09-09-40-001A (Section 09 – Restraints).
This bulletin is being published to advise dealers about
seat belt buckles not operating and/or seat belt warning
light illumination, as well as difficulty latching and
unlatching the buckle or the buckle release button
sticking.
Analysis of warranty data has determined that this
condition may be caused by sticky beverages being
spilled onto or into the seat belt buckle assembly.
Foreign debris from food, candy wrappers, paper and
coins can also contribute to this condition.
Important: If foreign material (debris) or sticky liquids
are the cause of the concern, show the customer the
condition of the component (buckle assembly) and
explain how it is affecting the function of the restraint
system. Strongly recommend that the component be
replaced. Point out the fact that this is not a
manufacturing defect and is not covered by the new
vehicle warranty. If the customer declines to have parts
replaced, the service department management must
make a notation on the service record that the lack of
functionality of seating position with an inoperative
buckle was fully explained to the customer. The service
department management must advise the customer
that having a non-functioning buckle in a seating
position voids ability to use that seating position (no
one should ride in the seat). Also make the customer
aware that it may be against the law to ride in a vehicle
without wearing a restraint system.
Copyright 2012 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Important: Never insert anything other than the seat
belt latch plate into the buckle assembly. Do not
attempt to dig anything out of a buckle with a tool.
Never try to wash out a buckle to remove a spilled liquid
as this may damage the buckle.
Use the following steps to determine the cause of the
concern.
1. Inspect the buckle assembly with a light shining on
the latch plate insertion area. Look for any debris
or foreign objects in the buckle.
2. If any debris or foreign objects are observed, try to
vacuum out the item. After the foreign material is
removed, latch and unlatch the seat belt. If the
system functions properly, do not replace the seat
belt buckle assembly.
3. If the condition has not been corrected, inspect the
buckle assembly for any sticky residue. If sticky
residue is found, inform the customer that a
substance was spilled on the seat belt buckle
assembly causing the malfunction. The buckle
assembly will need to be replaced at the
customer's expense.
4. Refer to SI for seat belt component replacement.
Page 2
January, 2012
Important: If foreign material (debris) or sticky liquids
are the cause of the concern, show the customer the
condition of the component (buckle assembly) and
explain how it is affecting the function of the restraint
system. Strongly recommend that the component be
replaced at the customer's expense. Point out the fact
that this is not a manufacturing defect and is not
covered by the new vehicle warranty. If the customer
declines to have parts replaced, the service department
management must make a notation on the service
record that the lack of functionality of seating position
Bulletin No.: 09-09-40-001B
with an inoperative buckle was fully explained to the
customer. The service department management must
advise customer that having a non-functioning buckle in
a seating position voids ability to use that seating
position (no one should ride in the seat). Also make the
customer aware that it may be against the law to ride in
a vehicle without wearing a restraint system.
5. If further restraint diagnosis is required, refer to
Seat Belt System Operational and Functional
Checks in SI.
GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper
service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a
job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your
vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.
WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY
TECHNICIAN
CERTIFICATION