The problem
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles were built with hood hinge pivot bolts which can break due to an improper heat treat condition. This does not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 219, "Windshield zone intrusion." A broken bolt can cause either the corner of the hood near the windshield to raise, or one side of the hood to be unstable when opened.
The risk
In the event of a vehicle crash, the hood could be pushed back through the windshield glass possibly injuring the vehicle occupants.
The fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD HINGE PIVOT BOLTS.
Contacts
Owner notification is expected to begin during january 1998. 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 cadillac at 1-800-458-8006. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
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 Cadillac dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 97V232000.
- 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.