The problem
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles equipped with manual transaxles (rpo m86) fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 114, "Theft protection." When a driver attempts to shift from 5th gear to reverse, a shift inhibitor causes the transmission to be mechanically in 4th gear even though the shift lever indicates reverse gear.
The risk
In this situation, the key can be removed from the ignition while the transmission is in a forward gear, which is not permitted by the standard.
The fix
Dealers will disable the 5th/reverse inhibitor by removing a retaining pin and replace the shifter assembly.
Contacts
Owner notification began december 21, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537 or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
What to do
- Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
- Call a dealer. Any authorized Oldsmobile, Pontiac dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 00V372000.
- Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
- Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.