1995 Chevrolet K1500

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE SEAT HEIGHT. THE LAP BELT PORTION EXITS THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY AT AN EXTREME ANGLE THUS CAUSING EXCESS WEAR IN BOTH THE BELT FABRIC AND THE RETRACTOR COVER. THE BELT ALSO BECOMES ENTRAPPED IN THE SLIT CUT IN THE BELT RETRACTOR SO IT WON'T RETRACT AND BECOMES ENTANGLED IN THE DOOR AS IT'S CLOSED. DUE TO THIS DESIGN FLAW ALL THE AVAILABLE REPLACEMENT DRIVERS SIDE PARTS HAVE BEEN CONSUMED AND NO REDESIGNED PARTS HAVE BEEN PRODUCED. EVEN IF THE REPLACEMENT PART WERE AVAILABLE IT TOO WOULD SOON BECOME WORN TO THE POINT OF QUESTIONABLE SERVICEABILITY WITHIN A FAIRLY SHORT TIME. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND WAS GIVEN REFERENCE # 71-1330000620. THE REPRESENTATIVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER WHO CONFIRMED PARTS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE REPRESENTATIVE REFUSED TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE MATTER SIMPLY STATING PARTS DON'T LAST FOREVER. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF THESE PICKUPS STILL ON THE ROAD AND ANY OF THEM DRIVEN BY TALL DRIVERS WITH THE SEAT FULLY BACK WILL HAVE THE SAME WEAR PATTERN. I TRIED GETTING THE PART FROM SALVAGE SOURCES AND FOUND ALL COMPATIBLE PARTS WERE EITHER SOLD OR IN THE SAME CONDITION AS MY WORN PART. I DID MAKE A MODIFICATION TO THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR HOUSING WITH SOME DIAGONAL CUTTERS TO ALLEVIATE THE BELT BECOMING ENTRAPPED IN THE SLIT BUT THE BELT IS WORN BEYOND SAFE LIMITS AND SINCE THE EXIT ANGLE IS STILL INCORRECT THE WEAR WILL CONTINUE DESPITE THE COVER MODIFICATION. I AGREE PARTS DON'T LAST FOREVER BUT A POOR DESIGN RAPIDLY ACCELERATES THEIR FAILURE AND PUTS THOUSANDS IN JEOPARDY, ESPECIALLY IN LOCATIONS THAT DON'T HAVE A VEHICLE INSPECTION PROGRAM IN PLACE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET K1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE LINES FAILED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REASON FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE LINES CONNECTED TO THE MASTER CYLINDER AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 11/16/10*BF UPDATED 11/24/10*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 CHEVROLET K1500. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER DOMINATOR SPORT A/T, SIZE LT285/75R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, ONE OF THE REAR TIRES EXPLODED DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CROSSED OVER THREE LANES, AND CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN. TWO OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,000. UPDATED 03/14/08. *LJ