Recall - Windshield Wiper Motor Failures: Overview

File In Section: Product Campaigns

Bulletin No.: 98043

Date: September, 1998

PRODUCT RECALL CAMPAIGN

PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN

SUBJECT:
96043 - WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURES

MODELS:
1994-96 CHEVROLET AND GMC C/K
1995-96 CHEVROLET, GMC, OLDSMOBILE S/T

This campaign bulletin, minus your assigned VIN listing, is being forwarded to you at this time in order to take care of those customers who bring their vehicle in for a malfunctioning windshield wiper motor prior to their notification of this campaign.

GM probably will not begin notifying owners of this campaign until November, 1998. That is when parts are expected to be available in sufficient quantities to support this campaign. A VIN listing will be sent to dealers at that time.

In the meantime, should an owner bring in a 1994-96 C/K or a 1995-96 S/T vehicle because the windshield wiper system exhibits the conditions described in the "Defect Involved" section of this bulletin, check the VIN against VISS to determine whether the vehicle is included in the campaign bulletin.

^ If it is included in the campaign population, repair the vehicle per this campaign bulletin, and charge the repair to the campaign using the campaign labor operation number,

^ If it is not included. but is still under warranty, repair the vehicle and submit a regular warranty claim.

^ If the vehicle is out of warranty and not included in the campaign population, treat as a customer-pay repair.

Vehicles included in the campaign that are repaired before November, 1998, will be removed from the campaign prior to owner notification letters being mailed.

The Highway Safety Act, as amended, provides that each vehicle which is subject to a recall campaign 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 (60) 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. As you will see in reading the attached copy of the divisional letter that is being sent to customers, the customers are being instructed to contact the appropriate Customer Assistance Center if their dealer does not remedy the condition within five (5) days of the mutually agreed upon service date. If the condition is not remedied within a reasonable time, they are instructed on how to contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.