Recall - Rear Suspension Weld Separation: Overview
Subject:Product Safety - Rear Suspension Weld Separation
# 06029A - (05/10/2006)
Models:
2005 Cadillac SRX, STS
The service procedure in this bulletin has been revised. There are two labels on the adjustment link; one on the short end and one on the long end. The label that requires inspection is the label on the long end (inboard side). If the label is missing on the long end, replace the adjustment link. Please communicate this information to all technicians immediately. Discard all copies of bulletin 06029, issued May 2006.
Condition
General Motors has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2005 Cadillac SRX and STS vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which a left or right rear suspension toe link assembly could separate because of a weld that was not to specification. If this were to occur, the affected rear wheel would be able to turn in or out, and would affect vehicle control. If this were to happen while the vehicle is moving, it could result in a vehicle crash.
Correction
Dealers are to inspect the serial number on the toe link assemblies, and replace the assemblies if necessary.
Vehicles Involved
Involved are certain 2005 Cadillac SRX and STS vehicles built within these VIN breakpoints shown.
Important:
Dealers are to confirm vehicle eligibility prior to beginning repairs by using GMVIS. Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.
For dealers with involved vehicles, a listing with involved vehicles containing the complete vehicle identification number, customer name, and address information has been prepared and will be provided through the applicable system listed below. Dealers will not have a report available if they have no involved vehicles currently assigned.
-- US GM dealers - GM DealerWorld Recall Information
-- Canadian GM dealers - GMinfoNet Recall Reports
-- Export dealers - sent directly to dealers
The listing may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any purpose other than follow-up necessary to complete this recall is a violation of law in several states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this report to the follow-up necessary to complete this recall.
Parts Information
Parts required to complete this recall 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.
Service Procedure
1. Remove the left and right adjustment links from the vehicle. Refer to the Adjustment Link Replacement procedure for 2005 Cadillac STS or SRX in SI.
Important:
The adjustment link is installed to two locations of the rear suspension: The short end of the adjustment link is installed to the knuckle or (outboard) side (2). The long end of the adjustment link is installed to the frame or (inboard) side (3). The serial number (1) that requires inspection is located on the label on the long end or inboard side (3) of the adjustment link. Refer to the illustration above. If the label is missing, replace the adjustment link. All toe link serial numbers are to be recorded on the R.O. and transferred to the Comments section when submitting the claim.
2. Locate and record the serial numbers (1) found on the adjustment links. The serial number is the bottom number. If the label is missing, replace the adjustment link.
3. Determine if the adjustment links must be replaced. The serial numbers of the adjustment links requiring replacement are below
Serial Numbers of Adjustment Link Requiring Replacement:
04122369 through 04122766
04122820 through 04123413
^ If the serial numbers on the adjustment links are NOT within the ranges above, the adjustment links do not need replacing. Reinstall the adjustment links. Refer to the Adjustment Link Replacement procedure for 2005 Cadillac STS or SRX in SI. A wheel alignment is not necessary.
^ If the serial numbers on the adjustment links ARE within the ranges above or the label is missing, replace the adjustment link. Refer to the Adjustment Link Replacement procedure for 2005 Cadillac STS or SRX in SI. Perform a wheel alignment. Refer to the Rear Toe Adjustment procedure for 2005 Cadillac STS or SRX in SI.
4. Record both serial numbers, even if both links are good, in the Comments/Note section when submitting claims.
Courtesy Transportation - For US and Canada
The General Motors Courtesy Transportation Program is intended to minimize customer inconvenience when a vehicle requires a repair that is covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The availability of courtesy transportation to customers whose vehicles are within the warranty coverage period and involved in a product recall is very important in maintaining customer satisfaction. Dealers are to ensure that these customers understand that shuttle service or some other form of courtesy transportation is available and will be provided at no charge. Dealers should refer to the General Motors Service Policies and Procedures Manual for courtesy transportation guidelines.
Claim Information
Submit a Product Recall claim with the information shown.
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 Export
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.
Dealer Recall Responsibility - For US and Export (US States, Territories, and Possessions)
The US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act provides that each vehicle that 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 Resonsibility - 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, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the recall correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
Disclaimer