Campaign - NHTSA & So-Called Sudden Acceleration
87olds8NUMBER: MEMO 1287
SUBJECT: Alleged Throttle Control Problems
TO: ALL OLDSMOBILE DEALERS
ATTN: Service Managers Be sure to review this information with your Service Department Personnel
In reference to recent press reports concerning alleged throttle control problems on some 1986 and 1987 vehicles, the following GM position may be of help:
GENERAL MOTORS STATEMENT REGARDING UPGRADING OF NHTSA INVESTIGATION INTO THROTTLE CONTROL PROBLEMS AND SO-CALLED SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON SOME GM VEHICLES.
GM has yet to receive a request for information concerning an upgrading of the NHTSA investigation into alleged throttle control problems on some GM vehicles. When a request is received, we of course will cooperate fully as always.
In our past responses on this subject, however, we have told the NHTSA that in our extensive testing over the years we have been unable to identify a design flaw or manufacturing defect that could be a root cause for either throttle system malfunction or so-called unwanted or sudden acceleration.
The incidents vary with model years, types of vehicles, engine and transmission combinations, and other optional equipment. In the current investigation, we have yet to find a pattern to these occurrences.
As far as we know, nobody else--including the NHTSA--has been able to establish a pattern or a common cause of these occurrences either.
Nevertheless GM continues to study the issue. In the past, when we have found acceleration-related safety defects, we have recalled the vehicles involved. We will continue to do so.