Visibility: glass, side/rearRecall 81V-022 · Buick and Chevrolet vehicles
GENERAL MOTORS CORP. recall 81V-022 covers 67,350 Buick and Chevrolet vehicles for a visibility: glass, side/rear problem, reported to NHTSA on February 11, 1981.
Source: NHTSA recall 81V022000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by an NHTSA defect investigation.
The problem
THE ELECTRO-CLEAR REAR WINDOW DEFOGGERS CONTAIN A DEFECT WHICH CAUSES THE GLASS TO SHATTER WITHOUT IMPACT DURING OR SOME TIME AFTER USE OF THE DEFOGGER. VERTICAL ELECTRICAL STRIPS MAY DETERIORATE AND CAUSE HOT SPOTS THAT CAN RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE REAR GLASS.
The fix
VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED FOR PRESENCE OF A PARTICULAR WEATHERSTRIP. IF PRESENT, A LAYER OF A SPECIAL CONDUCTIVE EPOXY WILL BE ADDED TO THE VERTICAL BAR ON THE REAR WINDOW GLASS. THIS EPOXY IS A NEW CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL WHICH WILL NOT REACT WITH THE WEATHERSTRIP.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRO-CLEAR REAR WINDOWDEFOGGERS.SYSTEM: DEFOGGER; REAR WINDOW.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: DRIVER DISTRACTION FROM THE EXPLOSION COULD RESULT IN AVEHICLE ACCIDENT. BROKEN OR HOT GLASS COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY TO VEHICLEPASSENGERS, OTHER DRIVERS, AND NEARBY PEDESTRIANS.NOTE: OWNERS ARE ADVISED NOT TO USE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER UNTIL VEHICLE ISINSPECTED.
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 January 1, 1979 to December 1, 1979. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.