Recall - Brake Hydroboost Relief Valve Seal Defect: Overview
File In Section: Product RecallsBulletin No.: 04004
Date: June 2004
F/CMVSS NONCOMPLIANCE RECALL
SUBJECT:
BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE SEAL FRACTURE
MODELS:
2003-2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE EXT, ESCALADE ESV
2003-2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO, AVALANCHE, SUBURBAN, EXPRESS
2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE
2003-2004 GMC SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL, SAVANA
CONDITION
General Motors has decided that certain 2003 and 2004 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade EXT and Escalade ESV; Chevrolet Silverado, Avalanche, Suburban, and Express; GMC Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Savana; and 2004 model year Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles fail to conform to either Federal/Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake System", or Standard 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems". These vehicles may have a relief valve bore within the brake hydro-boost module that is not to specification. An out-of-specification bore could result in fracture of the relief valve 0-ring seal within the module. If this happens, during braking applications the driver may be able to hear an engine compartment noise similar to the sound that occurs when the steering wheel is turned to a full stop position. The driver could also experience a slight increase in steering efforts while braking and parking. Under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal may require a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seal fracture. If this were to occur, it could result in a vehicle crash without prior warning.
CORRECTION
Dealers are to inspect the hydro-boost module, and replace the relief valve, if necessary.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 2003 and 2004 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade EXT and Escalade ESV; Chevrolet Silverado, Avalanche, Suburban, and Express; GMC Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Savana; and 2004 model year Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles built within the VIN breakpoints shown.
IMPORTANT:
Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through GMVIS (GM Vehicle Inquiry System) prior to beginning recall repairs. [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.]
For U.S.: 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. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow up with customers involved in this recall.
For Canada & IPC: Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data of involved vehicles have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers. The customer name and address data will enable dealers to follow up with customers involved in this recall. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the recall 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 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 estimated that only 20% of involved vehicles will require Valve Kit Repair. Please order parts accordingly.
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
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 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.
This bulletin is notice to you that the new motor vehicles included in this recall may not comply with the standard identified above. Under Title 49, Section 30112 of the United States Code, it is illegal for a dealer to sell a new motor vehicle which the dealer knows does not comply with an applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. As a consequence, if you sell any of these motor vehicles without first performing the recall correction, your dealership may be subject to a civil penalty for each such sale.
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 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