[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 152 (Monday, August 7, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48280-48281]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-19920]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA 2000-7657]


General Motors North America, Inc., Receipt of Application for 
Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance

    General Motors North America, Inc., (GM) has determined that some 
1995-1999 model year GM vehicles including Chevrolet and GMC light duty 
trucks, the Oldsmobile Bravada, Cadillac Escalade, and Pontiac Grand 
Prix, and Isuzu light duty trucks do not comply with Federal Motor 
Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, Power-operated window, 
partition, and roof panel systems. The depression of the hazard warning 
flasher switch to its limit of travel may activate the retained 
accessory power (RAP) feature with no key in the ignition. This 
condition would not meet the operation requirements of S4 of FMVSS 118. 
A total of 973,922 GM vehicles and 1,540 Isuzu trucks may have this 
condition. Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and

[[Page 48281]]

30120(h), GM has petitioned for a determination that the noncompliance 
is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety and has filed an appropriate 
report pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573, ``Defect and Noncompliance 
Reports.''
    This notice of receipt of an application is published under 49 
U.S.C. 30118 and 30120 and does not represent any agency decision or 
other exercise of judgment concerning the merits of the application.
    The hazard warning system flasher switch in the noncompliant 
vehicles is a pushbutton that operates as a ``push-on /push-off'' 
switch. To turn the hazard flasher lamps on, the switch is pushed down 
(depressed) and then released. To turn the hazard flasher lamps off, 
the switch is depressed a second time and then released.
    S4 of FMVSS 118 specifies conditions under which power-operated 
windows and roof panels may be closed. The relevant portions of S4 
require that either the ignition key be in the ``ON'', ``START'', or 
``ACCESSORY'' positions (S4(a)), or, in S4(e), that activation be 
possible only during the interval between removal of the ignition key 
and opening of either front door. In the affected vehicles, it is 
possible for the RAP feature to be activated when the hazard flasher 
switch is at the bottom of travel, whether or not a key is in the 
ignition.
    Under certain conditions, unintended or so-called ``sneak 
circuits'' may exist if the switch is being depressed and is manually 
held to its full extent of travel. The sneak circuits disappear when 
the switch is released. The presence of these sneak circuits can cause 
the RAP feature to be activated when the key is not in the ignition.
    If activated, the RAP would remain operational for up to 20 
minutes, depending on the vehicle model, or until a door handle is 
pulled, whichever occurs first. In some vehicles only the front door 
handles will deactivate the RAP, while in other models the rear door 
handles also will deactivate it. While the RAP is activated, it is 
possible to operate certain vehicle controls, including the power 
window and sunroof controls.
    There are two methods by which RAP can be activated in these 
vehicles when the key has been removed from the ignition. The first 
requires depression of the hazard switch to the extreme bottom of 
travel with some lateral force applied to it. In most switches, RAP 
cannot be activated by this method, even intentionally by experts 
attempting to do so. In testing conducted by GM in relation to this 
condition, GM reports that no child activated RAP by this method.
    The second method to activate RAP requires the simultaneous 
operation of the hazard switch and the service brake. Even if left 
alone and unattended in a parked vehicle, an individual child would not 
be likely to depress the hazard switch and the brake pedal 
simultaneously. In testing conducted by GM the company reports that no 
individual child ever simultaneously operated the brake and the hazard 
warning switch.
    GM believes that this noncompliance with FMVSS 118 is 
inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. Its reasoning is that a number 
of specific events, each of which has a low possibility of occurring, 
all would have to occur before an opportunity would exist in which a 
person could be injured by a power operated window or sunroof.
    The petitioner has indicated that the noncompliance will not result 
in any safety, reliability or serviceability concern for the vehicle 
operator.
    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments on the application described above. Comments should refer to 
the docket number and be submitted to: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Management, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Washington, DC, 20590. It is requested that two copies be 
submitted.
    All comments received before the close of business on the closing 
date indicated below will be considered. The application and supporting 
materials, and all comments received after the closing date, will also 
be filed and will be considered to the extent possible. When the 
application is granted or denied, the notice will be published in the 
Federal Register pursuant to the authority indicated below. Comment 
closing date: September 6, 2000.

(49 U.S.C. 301118, 301120; delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.50 
and 501.8)

    Issued on: August 1, 2000.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards.
[FR Doc. 00-19920 Filed 8-4-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P