Frame and members: underbody shieldsRecall 73V-013 · Buick and Chevrolet vehicles
GENERAL MOTORS CORP. recall 73V-013 covers 3,707,064 Buick and Chevrolet vehicles for a frame and members: underbody shields problem, reported to NHTSA on January 24, 1973.
Source: NHTSA recall 73V013000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by an NHTSA defect investigation.
The problem
THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS THAT DRIVING ON UNPAVED ROAD SURFACES, PARTICULARLY ROADS WHICH ARE HEAVILY GRAVELED AND WHICH ARE EXTREMELY WAVY OR FILLED WITH CHUCKHOLES, AT SPEEDS WHICH CAUSE THE CAR TO PITCH EXCESSIVELY, THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER MAY SCOOP UP LOOSE STONES OR GRAVEL AND COULD BE THROWN INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR ONE OF THESE STONES TO LODGE BETWEEN THE STEERING COUPLING AND THE FRAME AND CAUSE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT OR INTERFERENCE WITH STEERING CONTROL OF THE CAR WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE LEFT.
The risk
INCREASED STEERING EFFORT OR INTERFERENCE WITH STEERINGCONTROL MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
The fix
INSPECT AND INSTALL SHIELD ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
SYSTEM: STEERING.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.
Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Vehicles in this recall
Built from August 1, 1970 to July 1, 1972. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.