Recall - Potential Control Arm Separation: Overview
Product Safety - Lower Control Arm Washer# 04043B - (Nov 11, 2004)
Models:
2004 Cadillac CTS, SRX, XLR
2004 Chevrolet Corvette
THIS BULLETIN IS BEING REVISED TO ADVISE DEALERS TO ORDER LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND KNUCKLES, IF NECESSARY, FROM GMSPO RATHER THAN THE PQC.
THIS BULLETIN CANCELS AND REPLACES BULLETIN 04043A ISSUED SEPTEMBER 2004. PLEASE DISCARD ALL COPIES OF BULLETIN 04043A.
Condition
General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2004 Cadillac CTS, SRX and XLR, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. Washers that are used along with nuts to attach the lower control arms were made of the wrong steel material. These washers may fracture and become loose or fall away from the vehicle, making it possible for the control arm to separate. If this were to occur on the front of the vehicle, the affected corner of the vehicle will drop and the affected wheel could tilt outward, creating a dragging action that would tend to slow the vehicle and turn it in the direction of the affected corner. The driver could maintain some steering control with the unaffected wheel, but the vehicle control would be diminished. If the separation occurs at the rear of the vehicle (XLR and Corvette only), it could cause unexpected right or left lateral forces at the rear of the vehicle. Although steering of the front wheels would be unaffected, control of vehicle direction would be impaired.
Front or rear control arm separation may also reduce brake system performance and increase stopping distance.
If these events occur and the driver is unable to react in time, a crash could occur.
Correction
Dealers are to install a new nut and washer, and if required, replace the ball stud and/or steering knuckle.
Vehicles Involved
Involved are certain 2004 model year Cadillac CTS, SRX, XLR and Chevrolet Corvette 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. Dealers that have no involved vehicles currently assigned will not have a report available in GM DealerWorld.
For Canada
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 is being furnished to involved dealers. Dealers that have no involved vehicles currently assigned will not receive a report with the recall bulletin.
For IPC
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 is being furnished to involved dealers. Dealers that have no involved vehicles currently assigned will not receive a report with the recall bulletin.
The Campaign Initiation Detail Report may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other 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 program.
Parts Information
Parts Pre-Ship Information - For US and Canada
Important:
An initial supply of nuts required to complete this recall will be pre-shipped to involved dealers of record. This pre-shipment is scheduled to begin the week of August 9, 2004 and will be approximately 20% of each dealer's involved vehicles. Pre-shipped parts will be charged to dealer's 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.
Important:
Less than 1% of the population is expected to require replacement of the lower control arm and knuckle. If the inspection indicates that replacement is required, please order the appropriate part(s) through GMSPO.
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 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 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.
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 provided 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.
Disclaimer