Product Safety Recall 15050 Front Passenger Air Bag Inflator – 2006 Saab 9-2X

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Product Safety Recall
15050 Front Passenger Air Bag Inflator

Release Date:    February 2020                                                       Revision:    01

Revision Description: This bulletin has been revised to add the customer notification letter.  Please discard all copies of 15050.

Make	Model	Model Year		RPO	Description
		From	To
Saab	9-2X	2006	2006

Involved vehicles are marked “open” on the Investigate Vehicle History screen in GM Global Warranty Management system.  This site should always be checked to confirm vehicle involvement prior to beginning any required inspections and/or repairs.   

Condition

This recall affects certain 2006 model year Saab 9-2X vehicles which may have had an interim “like-forlike” repair performed under a previous air bag recall using Takata Non-Desiccated Frontal Passengerside Air Bag Inflators containing Phase Stabilized Ammonium Nitrate for Zone A. Zone A includes states and U.S. territories with the greatest temperature cycling and absolute humidity. It includes: Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  The propellant wafers in some of the subject inflators may degrade over time, which could lead to overaggressive combustion in the event the air bag is activated.  Overly aggressive combustion creates excessive internal pressure when the inflator is activated, which may cause the inflator body to rupture. Activation of a non-desiccated ammonium nitrate inflator with degraded propellant may result in an inflator rupture. An inflator rupture may cause metal fragments to pass through the air bag and into the vehicle interior at high speed, which may result in injury or death to vehicle occupants.

Correction

Dealers are to replace the front passenger air bag module assembly.

Parts

Parts required to complete this recall are to be obtained from General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales (GMCCA).  Order parts on a CSO only.  All orders will be reviewed prior to being filled and DRO’s may be cancelled.  Parts may also have quantity limiters in effect.

IMPORTANT: Due to limited initial parts availability, dealers are encouraged not to order parts for use as shelf stock.

If stock is not located at your Administrative PDC, due to flight restrictions for hazardous goods shipments, dealer orders may arrive via FedEx or with your normal PDC delivery. Do not place orders as an OVN or SPAC case; as it will delay shipment of the part and will not provide visibility for order tracking.  Parts will not be shipped overnight, so plan accordingly for transit time to reach your facility.

IMPORTANT: All front passenger air bag inflators replaced in accordance with this recall must be returned to TK Holdings, Incorporated.  Under no circumstances should any replaced air bag inflator be returned to GM, ORIO or Subaru of America.  Refer to the return shipping instructions provided at the end of this bulletin.  Do not discard or destroy the box containing the new air bag inflator, it will be needed to return the old air bag inflator.

Courtesy Transportation

As part of the Takata Air Bag Completion Rate Improvement Program, dealers are authorized to provide alternate transportation to affected vehicle owners while their vehicle is at a GM dealership for completion of the service procedure described in this bulletin.  Refer to GM Service Information Bulletin #18-NA-094 for program guidelines.   

Warranty Information

 Submit a $20.00 administrative allowance for return of the old front passenger air bag module assembly (includes document preparation and packaging).  Add this amount in the Administrative Allowance Net Item Field when submitting the repair transaction.

** As part of the Takata Air Bag Completion Rate Improvement Program, involved vehicle owners are eligible for courtesy transportation while their vehicle is being repaired.  If courtesy transportation is required, add the actual cost in the Courtesy Transportation Net Item Field when submitting the repair transaction.  Refer to GM Service Information Bulletin #18-NA-094 for program guidelines.

*** Submit the actual cost of the scan tool, not to exceed $200.00 USD.

Part Return Instructions

All front passenger air bag module assemblies replaced in accordance with this recall must be returned to TK Holdings, Incorporated.  Do not discard or destroy the box containing the new air bag module assembly, it will be needed to return the old air bag module assembly.  The box also contains shipping forms and labels for the return of the old air bag module assembly.  Except for the return address label, discard all other documents in the box as they have been superseded and are no longer applicable.  Instead, follow the return shipping instructions provided at the end of this bulletin.  These return shipping instructions were originally intended for Saab Official Service Centers (OSCs), but have been approved for all GM dealers.  

WARNING: Do not deploy any front passenger air bag inflator prior to shipment.  Doing so could result in severe injury to the technician or other people in the area.

NOTE: When affixing return shipping labels to the box do not obstruct the bar code label.  A copy of the job card must also be included in the box with the returned air bag inflator.  The job card number, repair date, repair mileage and full 17-character VIN must be clearly visible on the job card.

Special Tools

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(1) Trim Clip Removal Tool (2) iCarsoft HNM II Diagnostic tool

This trim clip removal tool (1) must be used to properly perform the front passenger air bag module replacement procedure described in this bulletin.  GM dealers should already have at least one of these trim clip removal tools in their special tool inventory.

This scan tool (2) must be used to properly perform the front passenger air bag module replacement procedure described in this bulletin.  Dealers should purchase this scan tool either online or locally.  GM will reimburse for only one scan tool per dealer.  Tool description: iCarsoft HNM II Diagnostic tool with all systems diagnoses, OBDII full functions and reset services.

Service Procedure

NOTE: This recall bulletin provides service repair and labor time information for replacing the front passenger side air bag assembly only.  Other repairs, if required, are to be billed under warranty, goodwill assistance or customer pay.

IMPORTANT: The new front passenger air bag assembly does not include the outer trim cover/lid.  In this procedure, the cover/lid is transferred to the new air bag assembly from the original.

1. Turn the ignition to the “ON” position.
2. Connect the VDI or equivalent scan tool (such as the iCarsoft HNM II Diagnostic tool) to the DLC and determine if any diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) have been set.
3. Scan tool diagnostic path:
   • Select “Diagnose” from the main screen and press “OK”.
   • Select Manufacturer “Subaru” and press “OK”.
   • Press “OK” again at software version.
   • Diagnose Process “Subaru” and press “OK”.
   • Select Diagnose Mode “Manual Select” and press “OK”.
   • Scroll down to select “SRS System” and press “OK”.
   • Select “Read Diagnostic Code” and press “OK”.
4. Record set DTCs, if present, on the Repair Order. Notify the owner of condition, cause and correction recommendation and secure the owners authorization to proceed with any non-recall related repairs prior to continuing with the recall procedures.
5. Once the fault has been repaired, follow step 3.1 through 3.7 again and select “Erase Codes” instead of “Read Codes”.

6. Turn the ignition “OFF”.
7. Disconnect the Negative (ground) cable from the battery and wait at least 90 seconds before proceeding further.

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8. Remove the glove box assembly. The glove box is held in place by 7 screws.

WARNING: Whenever beginning to remove (or install) the airbag assembly, and periodically while performing the procedure or after stepping away, remove any possible static charge from your body by momentarily touching a clean, bare metal ground point on the vehicle (e.g. the door striker).  Remove from your person all electronic devices including cell phones before proceeding.

9. Disconnect the airbag module harness connector (A) and release it from the support beam bracket.

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10. Remove the 3 retaining bolts and CAREFULLY remove the airbag module from the vehicle and place it on a clean cloth to protect the dash trim outer surface portion from damage.

NOTE: There may be a Security Module secured with the lower airbag module mounting bolt on some models.

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11. Using a trim clip removal tool and starting on the harness-side of the module assembly as shown and sequence below, CAREFULLY insert the tool and twist ONLY AS MUCH AS IS REQUIRED to release the slightly longer center retaining claw from the trim cover. Once released with the tool, the other 6 claws will release easily by hand.

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12. Rotate the inflator portion of the assembly outward from the cover to release the 7 label-side (1) claws and separate the cover from the module. No tool is required as all the 7 label-side claws are the same size.

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13. Once all the harness-side retaining claws are released (easily done once the center claw is released), CAREFULLY separate the inflator module from the cover. After the harness-side of the module is free from the cover (2), simply rotate it to unhook the label-side retaining claws. Remove the cover completely as shown (3).

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14. Inspect the claw openings on the outside and inside of the cover for damage. If any found to look like the (2) the cover must be replaced.

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15. Refit the cover onto the replacement module assembly, making sure all the claws are fully engaged (picture above). For this application, the cover will only fit on the module one way. When properly installed, the cover should feel loose with a small amount of free play.  If the cover is tight (no free play or looseness), it most likely is not fully engaged onto the claws.
16. VERY IMPORTANT: Record the alpha-numeric serial numbers for BOTH the original and the replacement module assemblies on the hard copy of the Repair Order.
17. Place the removed module assembly into the returnable shipping box. Refer to the SHIPPING DOCUMENTATION AND INSTRUCTIONS: (Appendix A) found toward the end of this bulletin.

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18. After confirming the cover is properly fitted to the module, reinstall the module assembly. The retaining tabs around the perimeter of the cover must also be fully seated so it sits flush with the surrounding dash pad surface.  Carefully place the airbag module through the top of the dash. Push down to install.

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19. Install the 3 retaining bolts from the bottom and torque to 7 Nm (62 lb in).

NOTE: If a Security Module is installed to one of the air bag assembly mounting bolts, torque that specific bolt to 10 Nm (88 lb in) +/-Nm rather than the normal 7 Nm (62 lb in).

20. Before installing the glove box assembly, reconnect the negative battery cable. Turn the ignition key “ON” and confirm the AIRBAG warning light comes on then cycles off properly. Once proper warning light operation is confirmed, reinstall the glove box assembly to complete the procedure.

5145835 21. Install the glove box assembly. Ensure the glove box closes correctly.

22. Verify no DTC’s have been set.

WARNING: Do not deploy any front passenger air bag module assembly prior to shipment.  Doing so could result in severe injury to the technician or other people in the area.

IMPORTANT: All front passenger air bag module assemblies replaced in accordance with this recall must be returned to TK Holdings, Incorporated.  Under no circumstances should any replaced air bag module assembly be returned to GM, ORIO or Subaru of America.  Refer to the return shipping instructions provided in this bulletin.

NOTE: When affixing return shipping labels to the box do not obstruct the bar code label.  A copy of the job card must also be included in the box with the returned air bag inflator.  The job card number, repair date, repair mileage and full 17-character VIN must be clearly visible on the job card.

Dealer Responsibility – U.S. States, Territories, and Possessions

It is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle or any new or used item of motor vehicle equipment (including a tire) covered by this notification under a sale or lease until the defect or noncompliance is remedied.

The U.S. National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act provides that each vehicle that is subject to a recall of this type must be adequately repaired within a reasonable time after the customer has tendered it for repair.  A failure to repair within sixty days after tender of a vehicle is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time.  If the condition is not adequately repaired within a reasonable time, the customer may be entitled to an identical or reasonably equivalent vehicle at no charge or to a refund of the purchase price less a reasonable allowance for depreciation.  To avoid having to provide these burdensome remedies, every effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each customer and to repair their vehicle as soon as possible.  In the recall notification letters, customers are told how to contact the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration if the recall is not completed within a reasonable time.

All new, used, GM Certified Used, courtesy transportation vehicles, dealer shuttle vehicles, etc. in dealers’ possession and subject to this recall must be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this bulletin before customers take possession of these vehicles.  Involved vehicles must be held and not delivered to customers, dealer-traded, released to auction, used for demonstration, or any other purpose.

All GM Certified Used vehicles currently in the dealers’ inventory within the Certified Pre-Owned Inventory System (CPOIS) will be de-certified and must be held and remedied per the service procedure in this bulletin.  Upon submitting an accepted/paid warranty transaction in the Global Warranty Management (GWM) system, the vehicle can be re-certified for sale within the CPOIS system, or once again be used in the CTP program.

Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this recall at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.

Customers who have recently purchased vehicles sold from your vehicle inventory, and for which there is no customer information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer.  Arrangements are to be made to make the required correction according to the instructions contained in this bulletin.  A copy of the customer letter is provided in this bulletin for your use in contacting customers. Recall follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the customer may not as yet have received the notification letter.

In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this recall enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the recall correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

Dealer Reports

For dealers with involved vehicles, a listing with involved vehicles has been prepared and will be provided to U.S. dealers through the GM GlobalConnect Recall Reports.  The listing may contain customer names and addresses obtained from motor vehicle registration records.  The use of such data for any purpose other than follow-up necessary to complete this recall is a violation of law in several U.S. states/territories/possessions.  Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this report to the follow-up necessary to complete this recall.

Customer Notification

General Motors will notify customers by letter of this recall on their vehicle (see copy of customer letter included with this bulletin).

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GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS
DCS5330
URGENT – DISTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY
Date: February 17, 2020
Subject: Safety Recalls 15047-01, 15048-01, 15049-01, 15050-01, 15052-01, 15053-01
Front Passenger Air Bag Inflator Replacement
Customer Letter Added
Models: 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X
To: All General Motors Dealers
Bulletins 15047-01, 15048-01, 15049-01, 15050-01, 15052-01, and 15053-01 have been revised to include a copy of the customer notification letter. Please discard all copies of bulletins 15047, 15048, 15049, 15050, 15052, and 15053.
Customer Letter Mailing
The customer letter mailing will begin the week of February 17, 2020.
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GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS

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GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS
DCS5278
URGENT – DISTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY
Date: January 9, 2020
Subject: Upcoming Safety Recalls 15047, 15048, 15049, 15050, 15052, 15053
Front Passenger Air Bag Inflator Replacement
Models: 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X
To: All General Motors Dealers
Fuji Heavy Industries/Subaru has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2005-2006 model year Saab 9-2X vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured by Fuji Heavy Industries for the Saab brand and marketed by GM. As a result, GM is conducting a safety recall. The total number of U.S. vehicles involved is approximately 2,103 and is broken down below:
Bulletin 15047 – 2005 Saab 9-2X – Zone A – 168 vehicles
Bulletin 15048 – 2005 Saab 9-2X – Zone A (HAH) – 298 vehicles
Bulletin 15049 – 2005 Saab 9-2X – Zone C – 1,038 vehicles
Bulletin 15050 – 2006 Saab 9-2X – Zone A – 172 vehicles
Bulletin 15052 – 2006 Saab 9-2X – Zone B – 246 vehicles
Bulletin 15053 – 2006 Saab 9-2X – Zone C – 181 vehicles
It is a violation of federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle or any new or used item of motor vehicle equipment (including a tire) covered by this notification until the defect is remedied.
It has been determined that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2005-2006 model year Saab 9-2X vehicles. In these vehicles, the front passenger air bag inflator may experience an alteration over time, which could lead to overaggressive combustion in the event of an air bag deployment. This condition could create excessive internal pressure when the air bag is deployed, which could result in the body of the inflator rupturing upon deployment. In the event of an inflator rupture, metal fragments could pass through the air bag cushion material, which may result in injury or death to vehicle occupants.
Parts are not currently available, but when parts are available, dealers are to replace the front passenger air bag inflator in 2005 model year vehicles, and replace the front passenger air bag module assembly, which includes the inflator in 2006 model year vehicles.
Until further instructions are received, involved vehicles that are in dealers’ possession (used vehicle inventory, GM Certified Used, courtesy transportation vehicles, dealer shuttle vehicles, etc.) must be held and not delivered to customers, dealer-traded, released to auction, used for demonstration purposes or any other dealer use. All GM Certified Used vehicles currently in the dealers’ inventory within the Certified Pre-Owned Inventory System (CPOIS) will be de-certified.
Question and Answer Document (Q&A)
Attached to this message you will find a document that addresses the ten most likely questions customers may have regarding this Safety Recall. Please use this information as an aid to confidently answer customer concerns.
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GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS

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