Campaign - Special VTi Repair Reimbursement Policy: Overview
SPECIAL POLICYBulletin No.: 09280A
Date: December 04, 2009
Subject: 09280A - New Special Reimbursement Policy for Vehicles Equipped with Variable Transmission with Intelligence (VTi) Transmission - 50 percent of transmission repair cost will be paid by GM or customer may elect the option of $5,000 customer credit instead of repair
Models:
2002-2005 Saturn VUE
Equipped with VTi (RPO M75/M16)
2003-2004 Saturn ION Quad Coupe
Equipped with VTi (RPO M75)
Supercede:
This bulletin is being revised to include instructions on handling vehicles with Vehicle Service Contracts. Please discard all copies of bulletin 09280, issued November 2009.
Condition
Some customers of 2002-2005 model year Saturn VUE vehicles equipped with a Variable Transmission with Intelligence (VTi) (RPO M75/M16); and 2003-2004 Saturn ION Quad Coupe vehicles equipped with VTi (RPO M75) may comment about transmission noise or reduced performance.
Saturn previously advised in bulletin 04020 of an extension of the limited express warranty on US vehicles with respect to the transmission as set forth below. Canadian vehicles were covered under the normal 5 year/100,000 km powertrain warranty.
For a period of 5 years or 75,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.
New Special Reimbursement Policy (US and Canada)
If the vehicle is no longer eligible for the coverage above, but is within 8 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership, GM will pay 50% of eligible transmission repair expenses, parts and labor, and the customer will be responsible for the remaining 50%. The amount paid shall be calculated with reference to dealers' already approved warranty parts and labor rates. Customers whose vehicle's extended transmission warranty has expired, but which still is within the Special Reimbursement Policy, may elect to receive a customer credit from GM for their vehicle instead of the repair - for the first instance that the customer pursues repair during the 8 year/100,000 miles (160,000 km) period. If the customer elects this option, the vehicle will be purchased for a $5,000 credit (less any lien) towards the purchase of a new GM vehicle (excluding Saab, HUMMER, or Medium Duty vehicles). The vehicle will then be turned over to General Motors for handling. See section titled, "Saturn VTi Transmission Customer Credit Program" contained in this bulletin for details.
For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after November 6, 2009 are covered at 50% by this special reimbursement policy and must be submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to November 6, 2009 must be submitted to the Service Contract provider.
Vehicles Involved
Eligible for the Special Reimbursement Policy are 2002-2005 model year Saturn VUE vehicles equipped with a Variable Transmission with Intelligence (VTi) (RPO M75/M16); and 2003-2004 Saturn ION Quad Coupe vehicles equipped with VTi (RPO M75).
Important
Dealers/retailers using the Global Warranty Management (GWM) system are to confirm vehicle eligibility for the Special Reimbursement Program prior to beginning repairs by using the 'Investigate Vehicle History' link on the GWM application within GlobalConnect.
Parts Information
Parts required to complete a repair under this Special Reimbursement Policy are to be obtained from Saturn Service Parts Operations (SSPO) (Saturn US retailers) or through General Motors Service and Parts Operation (GMSPO) (Saturn Canada and US GM Saturn-Authorized Repair Dealers).
Customer Notification
General Motors will notify customers of this Special Reimbursement Policy on their vehicles (see copy of typical customer letter shown in this bulletin).
Claim Information
1. Submit a claim using the table below.
* Submit the actual straight time required to diagnose cost of transmission repairs.
** The amount submitted in Net Item should represent 50% of the cost of the repair (approved warranty parts and labor costs). Determine the appropriate labor time from the electronic Labor Time Guide
*** Submit the dollar amount reimbursed to the customer for previous eligible transmission repairs in Miscellaneous Net Item. Do not submit for the $5,000 customer credit.
Customer Reimbursement - For Canada
Customer requests for reimbursement of previously paid repairs to the VTi transmission assembly are to be submitted to the dealer/retailer prior to or by November 30, 2010. Repairs must have occurred within the 8 years of the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, or 160,000 km, whichever occurs first. Reimbursement is limited to 50% of the dealer/retailer approved warranty parts and labor rates.
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) (including Service Contract deductibles), a description of the repair, and the person or entity performing the repair.
If the work was done by someone other than a GM dealership/facility, the amount of reimbursement will be limited to 50% of the amount that the repair would have cost GM to have it completed by a GM dealership/facility.
Customer Reimbursement - For US
All customer requests for reimbursement for previous repairs for this condition are handled by submitting a reimbursement claim form directly to Saturn retailers or Saturn Customer Assistance Center for processing. Reimbursement is limited to 50% of the retailer approved warranty parts and labor rates.
A Saturn Customer Reimbursement Procedure and Claim Form was sent with the original customer letter.
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