Should you have your heart set on a shiny, new 2016 Chevrolet SS, we’re not so happy to report that zero of them will be leaving dealerships for the foreseeable future.
That’s because General Motors has issued a stop-sale for the 2016 Chevrolet SS over the vehicle’s seatbelt tensioner. It’s unknown at this time if the problem dates back to Holden’s initial recall of the VF Commodore over a similar problem. In the 2014 recall, the seatbelt pre-tensioner mechanism could fail in a crash if the pre-tensioner module makes make contact with the seatbelt buckle assembly under the seat.
Chevrolet has responded to customers’ concerns over taking delivery of a 2016 Chevrolet SS, and dealers have been instructed to not let the vehicles leave for their new home.
In an email, Nate Giannettino, assistant manager, Chevrolet Customer Experience, stated the following:
While we enjoy any opportunity to help our customers buy our great vehicles, the safety of our customers is our number one priority. Unfortunately, the stop-sale recall on SS models requires the creation of a part which we are estimating will not be available until September. As a result we strictly advise Chevrolet dealerships to hold those vehicles from sale or delivery to customers until the vehicle has been repaired.
Some Chevrolet dealerships have continued to carry out the fire sale that is 20 percent off the 2016 Chevrolet SS, but by September, those incredible incentives will likely be long gone.
Update: the recall notices have begun going out to owners.
Recall Details
The defect:Â the driver’s seat belt tensioner cable may be repeatedly bent over the seat side shield as the driver enters and exits the vehicle causing the cable to fatigue and separate.
The hazards:Â if the tensioner cable separates, the driver may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Affected vehicles:
- 2014-2016 Chevrolet Caprice Police Pursuit (PPV) manufactured May 14, 2013 through June 14, 2016
- 2014-2016 Chevrolet SS manufactured May 15, 2013 through April 27, 2016
Number of vehicles affected:Â 15,486 vehicles (United States figure).
The fix:Â GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tensioner cable assembly, replacing any cable that is damaged. For vehicles that do not require a tensioner assembly replacement, a cable guide will be installed. All vehicles will receive new seat trim with a redesigned opening for the cable routing. These repairs will be performed free of charge.
Owners should: customers looking to find out if their vehicle is included in this Chevrolet SS recall should visit recalls.gm.com. There, owners will be able to enter their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see any open recalls as well as customer satisfaction programs. If the vehicle is part of the recall, customers should take it to a Chevrolet dealer.
Owners can also contact Chevrolet customer service with questions by using the following information.
Contacts & Details
- Chevrolet Customer Service: 1-800-222-1020
- GM Recall Number:Â 31340
- NHTSA Toll Free: 1-888-327-4236
- NHTSA (TTY): 1-800-424-9153
- NHTSA Website: www.safecar.gov
- NHTSA Recall Number: 16V518000
Comments
the Holden recall referred to a wire making contact with the seat belt bolt, the seat belt pre-tensioner is mounted on the inside next to the centre console, very different problem,
where chev use a seat rail mounted pre-tensioner on the outer belt, holden commodore is mounted to the B pillar at both ends.
Chevrolet continues to advertise these cars online as available, including some cars with a 20% discount. It is false advertising since no one is allowed to buy the vehicle and they will not honor their listed sale price. The recall won’t be resolved until september and their sale ends August 1st, it’s a very poor customer service move. I’m willing to buy a car at a listed price and they say no, you can’t until after we end our sale.
I agree with this completely. I was ready and pre-approved to purchase a SS this weekend. They continue to list them with the 20% discount, knowing that a resolution might not be ready until after the deal expires. I will not be in the market if they let the 20% lapse and do not extend it. I will be so disgusted by the move that I will move on to my 2nd choice. I am ready and willing to purchase now and take possession after the recall, or as soon as the recall is fixed, if they honor the 20%, I will be willing to purchase than.
You can Still buy and at 20% off. HOWEVER you must find a dealership willing to sell, that SS must be part of the 20% off (not all are), and you wont be able to take delivery until the issue is fixed. Very difficult task but it is achievable. I looked online through the Chevy website and others for over a week, making calls. I bought mine on Wednesday but wont take delivery until issue is resolved.
You Can find one but it wont come easy. GOOD LUCK!!
Ron,
What dealer sold you one on Wednesday? I have called multiple and they have talked to their GM reps and they all have said they cannot give the rebate. I want to know where you got yours and they would honor the rebate.
Boardwalk Chevrolet in Redwood City, CA states that they will sell the one 20% discounted model they have in their inventory, and that you can pick up the vehicle when the stop-sale order is lifted . . .
Many Dealers I have called say they will sell the car and then I can take possession after the recall, however, every single one of them backs out of the deal when I say that the 20% must be honored regardless of whether or not GM honors the rebate after the stop sale. This is because GM specifically states that you must take possession before august 1 2016. This means that the dealer might or might not get the rebate. I gave up. I called SEVERAL. I am hoping they extend it.
Call me
(847)687-1954
I gotta’ guy.
Bought mine a week ago with 20% and was able to visit it at the dealership and drive a loaner until delivery.
So why not just buy an Impala?
Hi Ron. Could you please contact me regarding how you were able to do this. I really want to buy this car at 20% off of course. Not our fault what happened. 727-432-6432
Another possible short term solution: GM should offer all the owners who have had their cars confiscated a “Waiver of Liability” regarding the so-called “defective” seat belt cable issue
There are numerous benefits to this suggestion:
1. We would get our cars.
2. The dealers no longer have to store the cars on their lots.
3. There is no question regarding when the warranty period starts on these cars.
4. GM will make a lot of owners who are waiting for their cars very happy.
5. The Chevy dealers would be able to sell and deliver the cars to the customers who sign the waiver!
Brandon M, Chevy Customer Care, issued a statement today on ss forums.com indicating the repair part will not be available until October now.
I talked to a local dealer in Jackson, MS. (Gray-Daniels – Jackson ) tell me I could purchase and sign a waiver form so they could deliver. Turns out it was a total lie. 2nd day they told me it was in “Service” and they were working on the recall . Another Lie. In the afternoon when I was supposed to pick it up , is when they told me I couldn’t.
SHADY!!!!
This issue which is affecting the 2016 Chevrolet SS buyers who made their purchase on 7/7/16 or after and have had their vehicles confiscated/stolen by GM can be corrected if General Motors would issue an amendment to their recall!! The recall, as issued, was very poorly written and, consequently, has been misinterpreted resulting in the STOP DELIVERY ORDER! I found this out after speaking to a gentleman at the National Highway Safety Administration. He also suggested that we contact and file complaints with the FTC and the Illinois Attorney General’s office as our car is currently sitting in the storage lot at Castle Chevrolet in Villa Park, Illinois. Currently, according to ‘Wendy’ at in the Executive Offices at GM, there is no estimate when the faulty seat belt cable issue will be resolved.
I purchased a 2016 on Friday, July 8th from Estero Bay Chevrolet in Estero, Florida. Not only did I get the 20% off, they have me in a rental, and they also made my first payment. Patiently waiting on the first new car I’ve ever purchased. After reading others stories, I guess it could be much worse.
Darren:
Have you had any updates on when you might be able to take possession of your SS?
Not a word.
Darren, please contact me at 954 973 5646. I’m talking to Pedro Andrade at Estero Bay Chevrolet and he has sent me the vin # on an SS he is willing to sell me. Before I go forward I want to make sure he’s not selling me the same car. I’m willing to do the same as you and wait for the recall to be lifted, I just want to make sure he’s being straight with me. I’d like to discuss this with you. Any evening after 5:00 pm, or leave me a message and I’ll call you back. I’m in Ft. Lauderdale. Thanks!
John Moraitis
Here’s a link to the only SS (with VIN#) that Estero Bay Chevy has on their lot:
http://www.esterobaychevrolet.com/VehicleDetails/new-2016-Chevrolet-SS-4dr_Sdn-Estero-FL/2767127343
They have a white one on the lot. Tried to call you John but I got a recording saying the number changed.
Sorry Darren. I typed it wrong, It’s 937 5646, not 973… it’s 954 YES JOHN, actually. I’m usually home by 5:30 , please try again. Thanks!
I bought one in the transition period and Im patiently waiting for my vehicle to be repaired.
However I totally agree with signing a waiver and getting my car so I can enjoy it. How many do they have on the road since 2014 sales? and those buyers are able to drive theirs! Understand Pontiac G8 has a similar problem. Lets think Warranty extension Sirius extension etc and maybe they will make my payments while Im waiting for my car. Ive made my 1st payment already and have nothing for it. I just drive my 2015 Duramax HD LTZ and smile thinking someday I will be able to drive my car. Have been loyal to GM for years and I feel like I need some reassurance on this one !
The dealership I bought mine from honored the 20% off sale, and they made my first payment. They are also covering the rental, because I’ve already traded in my car.
Sure wish GM would pay overtime so the part could be ready faster. For those of us in the North, would be nice to purchase and drive BEFORE the snow flies since this is RWD.
Not only should the 20% discount apply..they should also compensate us for the depreciation of the car…the 2017’s will be out soon..what about my book value. Im buying a car thats really 1 model year old
To those asking:
I got extremely lucky and I bought the only one they had and it was listed as 20% off by Chevy…NOT the dealership. The dealership has no control over which models and/or particular vehicle is listed at the sale price. Chevy had already pre-determined which ones were to be for sale at the 20% off. It was the dealerships choice to sell me the car though. They were not obligated in anyway due to the stop sale.
I had 4 other dealerships flat refuse to sell even though they had stock.
I had 1 salesman at another dealership trying to get his boss to offer the 20% sale on the one they had to no avail. Boss said no way, no how.
And at yet another dealership on Friday they had 3 in stock, only 1 listed as on sale but the dealership wasn’t aware it was on sale until i told them. I scheduled a test drive for Monday afternoon, however on Monday morning when i called to confirm before driving 3hrs to get there… they informed me they had no stock on the lot. They flat lied to me because they didn’t want to sell with the sale price!! (a friend lives nearby and told me the car was there the whole time)
It has now been over a month since purchase. Received liscense plates & ordered personalized plates. Made first payment…..Still Waiting
BTW- I currently drive a 08′ Pontiac G8 with 168k miles. Same seat belt issue, never sat on the tensioner cable. Someone plz explain how my new 16′ SS isn’t safe to drive but my 08′ G8 is perfectly fine to drive!
So, if someone wants one really bad, (like, forego the 20% bad) There is a dealer that will sell, but the (at least) 1 they have isn’t 20% off. They’ll even ship the car, so that’s something. My number appears earlier in the thread. (Sorry Ed, I didn’t know it wasn’t 20% off, There were 3 there, mine, a guy’s from NY, and an unsold PBM A6, sunroof, no spare. If someone wants it, they’ll deliver.
Is there any updates on this? Cheverolet has really dropped the ball.
There seems to be a “black-out” on any information from GM regarding the status of the recall.
The original Stop Delivery Notice that was issued on July 7, 2016, on the 2nd page, under the “About this Alert” – 6th line – is the following:
“Expires: Sep 05, 2016 0:00 ET”
That implies that the Stop Delivery Order will no longer be in effect. Unfortunately, I cannot get an answer to anyone I question at GM or Chevrolet regarding that comment regarding expiration.
Arthur Nor
Where can you read the stop delivery notice? I haven’t found it but, I would be thrilled to pick up my car today!
Ron:
If you send me a DM via Twitter … @illini71 with your e-mail address, I’ll send you a .pdf of the original “Stop Delivery Order” that was issued by “Global Field Safety Investigations”
Go to the NHTSA website and search for the SS and you’ll find it in the “associated documents” section under the recall…
The document on the NHTSA website does NOT have the expiration date on it.
The document that was sent to the Chevrolet dealers on 7/7/16 has the Sept 05, 2016 expiration date on it. That’s the document that I have.
Okay, now I’m wondering how some of you have done deals on the Chevy SS during the recall. I was planning on driving over to Estero Bay Chevrolet next weekend to close the deal on that car, but I talked to their salesman Rick Sluter and he told me that they cannot discuss pricing, terms, discounts or anything until the recall is lifted. This is the same thing a salesman here at Phil Smith Chevrolet in Lauderdale told me last week. Phil Smith took the car out of the showroom and parked it way out in the back of their lot. The guy didn’t even want to show it to me, but he did. They even ran all the gas out of it!
Field Action Details
Type Number Description Release Date
Product Safety Recall 2031340 Seat Belt Tensioner Cable 07/07/2016
Status: Incomplete. Remedy not available
Group:
Sub-Group: 89061
Expires: Does not expire
Original Number: 31340
Labour Ops: 9102524 2031340 – Temporary Repair – Replace Front Seat Belt Anchor Plate Tensioner Assembly (Driver Side)
9102396 NHTSA Shell LOP – FA 31340
Government Agency #: NHTSA: 16V518
Field Action Description: General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in 2014-2016 model year Chevrolet Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicles (PPVs) and Chevrolet SS vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the safety belt to the vehicle at the outside of the front driver seat can fatigue and separate over time if the driver’s movement into the seat repeatedly bends the steel seat belt cable down against the seat edge.
Safety Risk Description: In a crash, a fatigued cable could break, reducing the effectiveness of the vehicle’s safety belts and increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
Repair Description: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the tensioner cable assembly. For vehicles that do not require tensioner assembly replacement, a cable guide will be installed. All vehicles will receive new seat trim with a redesigned opening for the cable routing.
Note: Visit manufacturer website at https://my.gm.com/recalls for more information.
I work at a dealership in KY, and we have 2 SS on the lot. One has the GM 20% discount applied, and as an earlier post stated, the dealership is given those tags from GM. The other SS we have is kept in the back, and does not have a tag applied to it. We are on a stop sale, and although we are not able to sell, we do explain the situation and provide details to the customer. To date, I have not yet heard any updates on the recall part availability or stop sale cease. I absolutely love the SS, and hope that the vehicles we have can be sold soon because they deserve a good home. It would be a shame for these awesome cars not to be enjoyed!