Recall - Wheel Bearing Retainer Nut Missing: Overview
Product Safety - Wheel Bearing Assembly Retaining Nut Missing # 02053A - (03/23/2004)02053A -- Wheel Bearing Assembly Retaining Nut Missing
2003 Chevrolet Express 2500/3500 Series
2003 GMC Savana 2500/3500 Series
DUST CAPS USED IN THIS RECALL ARE NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH GMSPO. THE SERVICE PROCEDURE HAS BEEN REVISED TO INCLUDE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DUST CAPS INSTEAD OF REINSTALLING THE ORIGINAL ONES. PLEASE DISCARD ALL COPIES OF BULLETIN 02053 ISSUED NOVEMBER 2002.
Condition
General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2003 model year Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles. Some of these vehicles were built without a wheel bearing assembly retaining nut, which could lead to a possible bearing separation. If this were to occur, the amber-colored ABS telltale lamp in the instrument cluster would illuminate and the ABS system would be disabled. The driver would also notice a grinding noise, a decrease in vehicle speed, and the steering will pull in the direction of the affected brake assembly. Failure to heed these warnings can result in loss of vehicle control and a vehicle crash could occur.
To reduce the possibility of losing control due to this condition, the customer should avoid driving over 35 mph or during inclement weather. If the amber-colored ABS telltale lamp illuminates or a grinding noise is heard, the driver should immediately pull off of the road and call Roadside Assistance to have their vehicle towed to the nearest GM dealer for repair.
Correction
Dealers are to inspect the wheel bearing assembly. If the inspection reveals a missing retaining nut, replace the wheel bearing assembly.
Vehicles Involved
Involved are certain 2003 model year Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles 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) before beginning recall repairs. [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.]
Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. 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 recall bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished 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.
Floor Plan Reimbursement
Dealers in possession of vehicles included in the Stop Delivery are eligible for reimbursement of floor plan expense upon completion of this recall. This reimbursement is limited to the number of days from the Stop Delivery message to receipt of the recall parts and/or repair procedures. Floor plan reimbursement beyond these dates is not followed. The amount of reimbursement should be charged as a net amount expense using the recall labor operation provided.
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 program 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.
Refer to the General Motors WINS claims Processing Manual for details on Product Recall claim Submission.
Customer Notification -- For US
General Motors customers will be notified of this recall on their vehicles by General Motors (see copy of customer letter shown.) In addition, the Chevrolet and GMC Outbound Calling Centers will be contacting owners of any involved vehicles via telephone.
Customer Notification -- For Canada
General Motors customers will be notified of this recall 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 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 -- For 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 reall 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. This could be done by mailing to such customers a copy of the customer letter shown in this bulletin. 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