BUICK ESTATE WAGON 1979: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

General Information

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 79V161000

Make Model Year
BUICK ESTATE WAGON 1979
Date Owners Notified Date Received by ODI Date Added to Database
1979-07-03 1979-07-02 1979-10-12

Production Dates: 1977-08-01 - 1979-02-01

Manufacturers Involved: General Motors, LLC

Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Potential Number Of Units Affected: 476245

Report Initiator: MFR MFR Report

Summary

A CHILD COULD OPEN THE REAR SIDE COMPARTMENT DOOR AND ENTER THIS COMPARTMENT. THE CHILD COULD BECOME ENTRAPPED IF THE DOOR WERE TO CLOSE, AS IT CANNOT BE UNLATCHED FROM THE INSIDE.

Remedy

DEALER WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL COMPARTMENT DOOR LATCH, WHICH CAN BE LATCHED WITHOUT A KEY, WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY THAT REQUIRES A KEY TO LATCH AS WELL AS LOCK THE DOOR.

Notes

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: STRUCTURE; STORAGE COMPARTMENT.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IN THE ABSENCE OF OUTSIDE HELP, THE CHILD WOULDSUFFOCATE.NOTE: THE OWNER IS ADVISED TO KEEP THIS COMPARTMENT LOCKED EXCEPT WHILE EITHERLOADING OR UNLOADING IT.