Recall - Rear Brake Line Routing: Overview
Product Safety - Rear Brake Line Routing # 04086 - (Jan 11, 2005)Models:
2004-2005 Cadillac XLR
2005 Chevrolet Corvette
Condition
General Motors has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2004 and 2005 model year Cadillac XLR vehicles, and 2005 model year Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The rear brake lines may contact other components or be affected by heat from them.
If contact occurs, the driver may hear a rattle noise. Over time, the contact could cause brake line wear-through resulting in a slow loss of brake fluid, which would appear as fluid spotting under the vehicle. On XLR vehicles, this could also create a visible puff of smoke when the brakes are applied. If enough fluid is lost, the performance of the rear brakes will be reduced, there would be an increase in brake pedal effort in order to achieve the desired braking, and the brake system warning light may illuminate on the instrument panel.
If the brake line on XLR vehicles is affected by heat, the fluid in the brake line could boil. The performance of the rear brakes will be reduced and there would be an increase in brake pedal effort in order to achieve the desired braking.
If this were to occur when stopping distance is limited, a crash could occur.
Correction
Dealers are to inspect, and reposition or secure if necessary, the rear brake lines to ensure that there is adequate clearance from other underbody components. On some vehicles, a machining tab on the rear differential housing may need to be removed to provide adequate clearance. The rear brake lines are to also be inspected and, if damaged, repaired.
Vehicles Involved
Involved are certain 2004 and 2005 model year Cadillac XLR vehicles, and 2005 model year 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 Campaign Initiation Detail Report.
For Export
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 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.
Important:
It is anticipated that very few vehicles will require brake pipe replacement. Dealers are encouraged not to order recall parts for use as shelf stock. Parts should only be ordered when inspection determines that it is necessary to replace the brake pipe assembly.
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 inventor, 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.
Disclaimer