Recall - Steering Gear Pinion Bearing Separation: Overview
Bulletin No: 03062Date: January 29, 2004
RECALL
Product Safety - Power Steering Gear Lower Pinion Bearing Separation
Models:
1996-1998 Buick Regal
1997-1998 Chevrolet Lumina, Malibu, Monte Carlo
1997-1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
1996-1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
1996 Pontiac Grand Prix
Condition
General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1996-1998 Buick Regal; 1997-1998 Chevrolet Lumina, Malibu, and Monte Carlo; 1997-1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass; 1996-1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme; 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue; and 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a condition where the lower pinion bearing in the power steering gear may separate. Most reports indicate the driver experienced an intermittent loss of power steering assist when making left turns, usually at low speeds. Power assist is normal in right hand turns. When trying to turn left, some drivers could experience higher resistance or, in a few cases assist towards the right. If this happens while the vehicle is moving, a crash could result.
Correction
Dealers are to inspect the condition of the lower pinion bearing and replace the lower pinion bearing, or in a few cases, replace the rack and pinion steering gear assembly.
Vehicles Involved
Involved are certain 1996-1998 Buick Regal; 1997-1998 Chevrolet Lumina, Malibu, and Monte Carlo; 1997-1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass; 1996-1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme; 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue; and 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles built within the VIN breakpoints shown.
Important
Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through GMVIS (GM Vehicle Inquiry System) before beginning recall repairs [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.
For US
For dealers with involved vehicles, a Campaign Initiation Detail Report containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data has been prepared and will be loaded to the GM DealerWorld, Recall Information website. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow up with customers involved in this program.
For Canada & IPC
Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data of involved vehicles have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers. The customer name and address data will enable dealers to follow up with customers involved in this recall. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the recall bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.
These dealer listings may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several provinces. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this report to the follow-up necessary to complete this program.
Parts Information
Parts Pre-Ship Information - For US and Canada
Important
An initial supply of steering gear pinion bearing kits required to complete this program will be pre-shipped to involved dealers of record. This pre-shipment is scheduled to begin the week of January 19, 2004 and will be approximately 20% of each dealers involved vehicles. Pre-shipped parts will be charged to dealers open parts account.
Additional parts, if required, are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). Please refer to your "involved vehicles listing" before ordering parts. Normal orders should be placed on a DRO = Daily Replenishment Order. In an emergency situation, parts should be ordered on a CSO = Customer Special Order.
Special Tool
During the week of January 19, 2004, dealers who did not have vehicles involved in recall 02049, will be shipped a Pinion Bearing Replacer, J 44714-B, for use in this recall. All other dealers were shipped this tool in December 2002, for use in recall 02049. This tool is being furnished at no charge. Additional tools, if required, may be purchased by contacting SPX Kent-Moore at 1-800-GM-TOOLS (1-800-468- 6657).
Customer Reimbursement - For US
All customer requests for reimbursement for previous repairs for the recall condition will be handled by the Customer Assistance Center, not by dealers.
A General Motors Product Recall Customer Reimbursement Procedure Form is shown in this bulletin.
Customer Reimbursement - For Canada
Customer requests for reimbursement of previously paid repairs to correct the condition addressed in this bulletin are to be submitted by February 28, 2005.
All reasonable customer paid receipts should be considered for reimbursement. The amount to be reimbursed will be limited to the amount the repair would have cost if completed by an authorized General Motors dealer.
When a customer requests reimbursement, they must provide the following:
^ Proof of ownership at time of repair.
^ Original paid receipt confirming the amount of repair expense(s) that were not reimbursed, a description of the repair, and the person or entity performing the repair.
Claims for customer reimbursement on previously paid repairs are to be submitted as required by WINS.
Important
Refer to the GM Service Policies and Procedure Manual, section 1.6.2, for specific procedures reguarding Customer reimbursement verification.
Claim Information
Submit a Product Recall Claim with the information shown.
Refer to the General Motors WINS Claims Processing Manual for details on Product Recall Claim Submission.
Customer Notification -- For US and Canada
General Motors will notify customers of this recall on their vehicle (see copy of customer letter shown in this bulletin).
Customer Notification -- For IPC
Letters will be sent to known owners of record located within areas covered by the US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. For owners outside these areas, dealers should notify customers using the sample letter shown.
Dealer Recall Responsibility -- For US and IPC (US States, Territories, and Possessions)
The US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act provides that each vehicle which is subject to a recall of this type must be adequately repaired within a reasonable time after the customer has tendered it for repair. A failure to repair within sixty days after tender of a vehicle is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time. If the condition is not adequately repaired within a reasonable time, the customer may be entitled to an identical or reasonably equivalent vehicle at no charge or to a refund of the purchase price less a reasonable allowance for depreciation. To avoid having to provide these burdensome remedies, every effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each customer and to repair their vehicle as soon as possible. In the recall notification letters, customers are told how to contact the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration if the recall is not completed within a reasonable time.
Dealer Recall Responsibility -- All
All unsold new vehicles in dealers possession and subject to this recall MUST be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this recall bulletin BEFORE customers take possession of these vehicles.
Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this recall at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.
Customers who have recently purchased vehicles sold from your vehicle inventory, and for which there is no customer information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer. Arrangements are to be made to make the required correction according to the instructions contained in this bulletin. A copy of the customer letter is shown in this bulletin for your use in contacting customers. Recall follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the customer may not as yet have received the notification letter.
In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this recall enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, please take the steps necessary to be sure the recall correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
GENERAL MOTORS PRODUCT PROGRAM CUSTOMER REIMBURSEMENT PROCEDURE
If you have paid to have this recall condition corrected prior to receiving this notification, you may be eligible to receive reimbursement.
Requests for reimbursement may include parts, labor, fees and taxes. Reimbursement may be limited to the amount the repair would have cost if completed by an authorized General Motors dealer. Your claim will be acted upon within 60 days of receipt.
If your claim is:
^ Approved, you will receive a check from General Motors.
^ Denied, you will receive a letter from General Motors with the reason(s) for the denial, or
^ Incomplete, you will receive a letter from General Motors identifying the documentation that is needed to complete the claim and offered the opportunity to resubmit the claim when the missing documentation is available.
Please follow the instructions on the Claim Form shown to file a claim for reimbursement. If you have questions about this reimbursement procedure, please call the toll-free telephone number provided at the bottom of the form. If you need assistance with any other concern, please contact the appropriate Customer Assistance Center at the number shown.
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