Recall - Steering Gear Lower Pinion Bearing Separation: Overview

File In Section: Product Recalls

Bulletin No.: 02049

Date: January, 2003

PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL

SUBJECT:
02049 - POWER STEERING GEAR LOWER PINION BEARING SEPARATION

MODELS:
1996-1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
1996 CHEVROLET LUMINA APV
1997-1998 CHEVROLET VENTURE
1996-1998 PONTIAC SUNFIRE, TRANS SPORT
1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
1996-1998 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE

CONDITION

General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1996-1998 Chevrolet Cavalier; 1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV; 1997-1998 Chevrolet Venture; 1996-1998 Pontiac Sunfire, Trans Sport; 1997-1998 Pontiac Grand Prix; and 1996-1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a condition where the lower pinion bearing in the power steering gear may separate. Most reports indicate the driver experienced an intermittent loss of power steering assist when making left turns, usually at low speeds. Power assist is normal in right hand turns. When trying to turn left, some drivers could experience higher resistance or, in a few cases, assist towards the right. If this happens while the vehicle is moving, a crash could result.

CORRECTION

Dealers are to inspect the condition of the lower pinion bearing and replace the lower pinion bearing, or in a few cases, replace the rack and pinion steering gear assembly.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

Involved are certain 1996-1998 Chevrolet Cavalier; 1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV; 1997-1998 Chevrolet Venture; 1996-1998 Pontiac Sunfire, Trans Sport; 1997-1998 Grand Prix; and 1996-1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette 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 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 Pre-Ship Information - For US and Canada

Important:
An initial supply of parts required to complete this program will be pre-shipped to involved dealers of record. This pre-shipment is scheduled to begin the week of January 13, 2003. 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.

SPECIAL TOOL

Beginning the week of December 23, 2002, each dealer will be shipped a Power Steering Pinion Bearing Replacer, J44714-A, for use in this recall. This tool is being furnished at no charge. Additional tools, if required, may be purchased by contacting SPX Kent-Moore at 1-800-GM-TOOLS (1-800-468-6657).

RECALL IDENTIFICATION LABEL - For US and IPC

Place a Recall Identification Label on each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Recall Bulletin. Each label provides a space to include the recall number and the five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the recall service. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or a ball point pen.

Put the Recall Identification Label on a clean and dry surface of the radiator core support in an area that will be visible to people servicing the the vehicle. Additional Recall Identification Labels for Canadian dealers can be obtained from DGN by calling 1-800-668-5539 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST). Ask for Item Number GMP 91 when ordering.

CUSTOMER REIMBURSEMENT

Customer requests for reimbursement of previously paid repairs to replace the power steering gear lower pinion bearing or steering gear due to lower pinion bearing separation are to be submitted by January 31, 2004 (this time limit may be longer depending on the law in your state/province/country).

All reasonable customer paid receipts should be considered for reimbursement. The amount to be reimbursed will be limited to the amount the repair would have cost if completed by an authorized General Motors dealer.

When a customer requests reimbursement, they must provide the following.

- Proof of ownership at time of repair.

- Original paid receipt confirming the amount of unreimbursed repair expense(s), a description of the repair, and the person or entity performing the repair.

Customers from the States of California, Connecticut, Virginia, and Wisconsin must submit requests for reimbursement directly to (Divisions) per instructions in the owner letter.

Claims for customer reimbursement on previously paid repairs are to be submitted as required by WINS.

IMPORTANT:
Refer to the GM Service Policies and Procedures Manual, section 1.6.2, for specific procedures regarding customer reimbursement verification.

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 and CANADA

Customers will be notified of this recall on their vehicles by General Motors (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.

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. This could be done by mailing to such customers, a copy of the customer letter is 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, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the recall correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

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