Campaign - Tire Inner Sidewall Bulge/Crack: Overview
Customer Satisfaction - Tire Inner Sidewall Crack/Bulge # 03049 - (10/20/2003)03049 - Tire Inner Sidewall Crack/Bulge
2003-2004 Cadillac CTS
Equipped with Goodyear 17-Inch Tires
THIS PROGRAM IS IN EFFECT UNTIL OCTOBER 31, 2004.
Condition
General Motors has decided that certain 2003 and 2004 model year Cadillac CTS vehicles equipped with Goodyear 17-inch tires may have a condition in which a bulge or crack may appear on the inner sidewall of the tires. Although a crack or bulge may be unsightly, it will not affect the performance of the tires. This is not a safety issue.
This program will expire on October, 31, 2004.
Correction
Dealers are to replace the Goodyear 17-inch tires.
Vehicles Involved
Involved are certain 2003 and 2004 model year Cadillac CTS vehicles equipped with Goodyear 17-inch tires and built within the VIN breakpoints shown.
Important
Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through GMVIS (GM Vehicle Inquiry System) or GM Access Screen (Canada only) or DCS Screen 445 (IPC only) prior to beginning program repairs. [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.]
Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers with the program bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow up with customers involved in this program. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the program 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 states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this program.
Parts Information*
For US
Parts required to complete this program are to be obtained from the authorized local Goodyear tire distributor using the normal warranty process as indicated in bulletin 00-03-10-003D, issued in January, 2003.
For Canada
Parts required to complete this recall are to be obtained through the General Motors Service Parts Aftermarket Tire Replacement Program. For additional information, reference bulletin 01-03-10-003A, issued in January, 2003, as well as the information in e-mail message dated August 21, 2003
For IPC
Parts required to complete this program are to be obtained from the authorized local Goodyear tire distributor using the normal warranty process.
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.
Important
Refer to the GM Service Policies and Procedures Manual, section 6.1.12, for specific procedures regarding customer reimbursement and the form.
Customer Reimbursement - For Canada
Customer requests for reimbursement of previously paid repairs to replace Goodyear 17-inch tires are to be submitted by October 31, 2004.
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 the 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 procedures manual, section 1.6.2, for specific procedures regarding customer reimbursement verification.
Courtesy Transportation
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 Program claim with the information shown.
Refer to the General Motors WINS claim Processing Manual for details on Product Recall claim Submission.
Customer Notification
For US and Canada
Customers will be notified of this program on their vehicles by General Motors (see copy of customer letter shown).
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 suggested dealer letter.
Dealer Program Responsibility
All unsold new vehicles in dealers' possession and subject to this program MUST be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this program bulletin BEFORE customers take possession of these vehicles.
Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this program at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, through October 31, 2004.
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. This could be done by mailing to such customers a copy of the customer letter shown this bulletin. Program 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 program enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service prior to October 31, 2004, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the program correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
GENERAL MOTORS PRODUCT PROGRAM CUSTOMER REIMBURSEMENT PROCEDURE
If you have paid to have your tire(s) replaced due to this condition before November 10, 2003, 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 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 Cadillac Customer Assistance Center.
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