Recall - Rear Suspension Bolts May Not Be To Proper Torque Spec: Overview
SAFETYBulletin No.: 13008A
Date: January 22, 2013
Subject: 13008A Rear Suspension Bolts May Not Be To Proper Torque Specification
Models:
2013 Chevrolet Malibu
Supercede:
Part numbers for the rear stab shaft link bolt, rear suspension link inner nut, and rear suspension lower control arm inner nut have been revised in the Part Information section and in the Static Torque Specification Table and Fastener Replacement Torque Specification Table. Please discard all copies of bulletin 13008.
All involved vehicles that are in dealer inventory must be held and not delivered to customers, dealer traded, or used for demonstration purposes until the repair contained in this bulletin has been performed on the vehicle.
Condition
General Motors has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2013 model year Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. These vehicles may have been built with one or more rear suspension bolts that were not tightened to the specified torque. The effect will vary depending on which bolt is involved and the progression of the condition. Initially, noise and a minor handling effect may be noticed. As the condition progresses, sudden changes in the vehicle handling could occur and the driver may not be able to control the vehicle, particularly at higher speeds, which could result in a crash without prior warning.
Correction
Dealers are to check the rear suspension bolts' torque and retighten to the proper torque specification, if necessary. In some cases, rear alignment adjustment may be required.
Vehicles Involved
All involved vehicles are identified by Vehicle Identification Number on the Investigate Vehicle History screen in GM Global Warranty Management system. Dealership service personnel should always check this site to confirm vehicle involvement prior to beginning any required inspections and/or repairs. It is important to routinely use this tool to verify eligibility because not all similar vehicles may be involved regardless of description or option content.
For dealers with involved vehicles, a listing with involved vehicles containing the complete vehicle identification number, customer name, and address information has been prepared and will be provided to US and Canadian dealers through the GM GlobalConnect Recall Reports, or sent directly to export dealers. Dealers will not have a report available if they have no involved vehicles currently assigned.
The listing may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any purpose other than follow-up necessary to complete this recall is a violation of law in several states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this report to the follow-up necessary to complete this recall.
Parts Information
Parts required to complete this recall are to be obtained from General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales (GMCC&A). 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.
Service Procedure
1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in SI.
2. Remove the rear driver and passenger side tire. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in SI.
3. Perform a static torque inspection on the 20 rear suspension fasteners listed in the Static Torque Specification Table in this bulletin.
- Ensure the 20 fasteners meet the minimum static torque specification provided in the table. Refer to the table to determine if torque must be applied to the bolt or nut.
- Replace ALL fasteners that do NOT meet the minimum torque specification with a new fastener. The fastener part number is provided in the Parts Information section of the bulletin.
- If required, refer to the following rear suspension documents in SI for fastener location, removal and installation information. Some fastener replacements will require a wheel alignment after the fastener is replaced. Carefully read and follow the instructions provided in SI.
- Adjust Link Replacement
- Rear Suspension Control Arm Replacement
- Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement
- Shock Absorber Replacement
- Upper Control Arm Replacement
- Lower Control Arm Replacement
4. Install the rear driver and passenger side tire. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in SI.
Note
Only perform a wheel alignment if a fastener is replaced and SI documentation states that it is necessary to perform the alignment when the fastener is replaced.
5. If required, perform a wheel alignment. Refer to the appropriate wheel alignment information in SI.
6. Lower the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in SI.
Fastener Location Overview
Shaded cells indicate where the torque must be applied: bolt or nut. Always use a backup wrench and calibrated torque wrench to verify torque.
Part numbers in bold type indicate where the torque must be applied: bolt or nut. Always use a backup wrench and calibrated torque wrench to verify torque.
Courtesy Transportation - For US and Canada
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 should refer to the General Motors Service Policies and Procedures Manual for Courtesy Transportation guidelines.
Warranty Transaction Information
Submit a transaction using the table below.
Customer Notification - For US
General Motors will notify customers of this recall on their vehicle via FedEx Overnight mail (see copy of customer letter included with this bulletin).
Customer Notification - For Canada
General Motors will notify customers of this recall on their vehicle (see copy of customer letter included with this bulletin).
Customer Notification - For Export
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 attached sample letter.
Dealer Recall Responsibility - For US and Export (US States, Territories, and Possessions)
It is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle or any new or used item of motor vehicle equipment (including a tire) covered by this notification under a sale or lease until the defect or noncompliance is remedied.
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. A copy of the customer letter is provided 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