Campaign - Catalytic Converter Warranty Extension: Overview
SPECIAL COVERAGEBulletin No.: 08020
Date: January 13, 2010
Subject: 08020 - SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT - EXTENDED CATALYTIC CONVERTER WARRANTY COVERAGE
Models:
2004-2007 SATURN ION RED LINE
2005-2007 CHEVROLET COBALT SS
EQUIPPED WITH 2.0L 4-CYLINDER (RPO LSJ) ENGINE
Condition
Some customers of 2004-07 model year Saturn ION Red Line; and 2005-07 model year Chevrolet Cobalt SS vehicles, equipped with 2.0L 4-cylinder (RPO LSJ) engine, may comment on illumination of the malfunction indicator lamp (MAL) and/or lack of engine power. This may be caused by failure of the catalytic converter.
Special Coverage Adjustment
This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 120,000 miles (193,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership.
Dealers/retailers are to replace the catalytic converter. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.
Customers should not be charged for performing a system check when it is determined that the catalytic converter is not the cause of the customer complaint. Labor code T5725 is provided to submit claims for such system checks. Any additional necessary diagnosis and repairs that are not related to the catalytic converter are NOT covered by this special coverage. The customer should be informed that any further service that is not covered by the new vehicle warranty will not be covered by this policy.
For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after January 14, 2010, are covered by this special coverage and must be submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to January 14, 2010, must be submitted to the Service Contract provider.
Vehicles Involved
Involved are certain 2004-07 model year Saturn ION and 2005-07 model year Chevrolet Cobalt SS vehicles, equipped with 2.0L 4-cylinder (RPO LSJ) engine, and built within the following VIN breakpoints:
Important
Dealers/retailers using the Global Warranty Management (GWM) system are to confirm vehicle eligibility prior to beginning repairs by using the Investigate Vehicle History link on the Global Warranty Management application within GlobalConnect. Special Coverages are displayed in the Applicable Warranties section.
Parts Information
GM: Parts required to complete this special coverage are to be obtained from General Motors Service and Parts Operations (GMSPO).
Saturn US Only: Due to the limited number of affected vehicles, Saturn will not be doing a pre-shipment of parts. Retailers should order parts as needed from Saturn Service Parts Operations (SSPO).
Customer Notification
General Motors will notify customers of this special coverage on their vehicles (see copy of typical customer letter included with this bulletin - actual divisional letter may vary slightly).
Service Procedure
The purpose of this field action bulletin is to determine if it is necessary to replace the catalytic converter on certain 2004-07 model year Saturn ION Red Line and 2005-07 model year Chevrolet Cobalt SS vehicles, equipped with 2.0L 4-cylinder (RPO LSJ) engine. The catalytic converter is an emission control device added to the engine exhaust system in order to reduce hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) pollutants from the exhaust gas.
All diagnostics on a vehicle should follow a logical process. Strategy Based Diagnostics is a uniform approach for repairing all systems. The diagnostic flow is the place to start when repairs are necessary and may always be used in order to resolve a system problem. For a detailed explanation, refer to Strategy Based Diagnosis in SI.
Determine the condition of the catalytic converter. Refer to Symptom - Engine Exhaust and Restricted Exhaust in SI.
- If diagnosis indicates that the catalytic converter must be replaced, replace the Catalytic Converter. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement in SI.
- If diagnosis indicates that the catalytic converter does NOT require replacement, determine the cause of the customer-reported exhaust concern using the diagnostic service information in SI. Diagnostic time and service repairs for exhaust system components other than the catalytic converter are NOT covered by this field action. Diagnostic time and service repair work for exhaust system components other than the catalytic converter must be billed under warranty or customer pay.
Customer Reimbursement
1. Submit a claim using the table below.
2. Courtesy Transportation - For dealers using WINS, submit using normal labor code; for dealers using GWM - submit as Net Item under the repair labor code.
* The amount identified in "Net Item" should represent the dollar amount reimbursed to the customer.
Customer Reimbursement - For GM US
All customer requests for reimbursement for previous repairs for the special coverage condition will be handled by the Customer Assistance Center, not by dealers.
A General Motors Customer Reimbursement Procedure and Claim Form is included with the customer letter.
Important
Refer to the GM Service Policies and Procedures Manual, section 6.1.12, for specific procedures regarding customer reimbursement and the form.
Customer Reimbursement - For Canada
Customer requests for reimbursement of previously paid repairs to replace the catalytic converter are to be submitted to the dealer prior to or by January 31, 2011. Repairs must have occurred within the 10 years of the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, or 193,000 km, whichever occurs first.
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, the amount of reimbursement will be limited to the amount that the repair would have cost GM to have it completed by a GM dealership.
Customer Reimbursement - For Saturn US Only
All customer requests for reimbursement for previous repairs for this condition are handled by submitting a reimbursement claim form directly to Saturn retailers for processing; however, if customers choose, they may file a claim through the Saturn Customer Assistance Center.
A Saturn Customer Reimbursement Procedure and Claim Form is included with the customer letter.
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 Warranties. 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/retailers should refer to the General Motors Service Policies and Procedures Manual for Courtesy Transportation guidelines.
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