Recall - Steering Column Intermediate Shaft Replacement: Overview
File In Section: Product RecallsBulletin No.: 03009
Date: February, 2003
PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL
SUBJECT:
03009 - STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT UNDERSIZED
MODELS:
2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
2003 PONTIAC AZTEK
ON FEBRUARY 7, 2003, ALL VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS RECALL WERE PLACED ON STOP DELIVERY. AFTER THE RECALL SERVICE PROCEDURE IS COMPLETED, THE VEHICLES MAY BE DELIVERED TO CUSTOMERS.
GENERAL MOTORS IS CONTACTING CUSTOMERS OF INVOLVED VEHICLES VIA TELEPHONE. CUSTOMERS ARE BEING INSTRUCTED TO CALL THEIR SERVICING DEALER TO HAVE THEIR VEHICLE TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALERS ARE TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED AND ARE TO PROVIDE THE CUSTOMER WITH COURTESY TRANSPORTATION UNTIL THE RECALL CAN BE PERFORMED ON THEIR VEHICLE.
EXISTING PARTS AT GMSPO ARE BEING INSPECTED AND CONFIRMED AS GOOD INVENTORY. ADDITIONAL INVENTORY WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR DEALER ORDERS BY 2/14/03. IN THE RARE CASE THAT A PART IS REQUIRED, PLEASE CONTINUE TO HOLD THE VEHICLE UNTIL A PART CAN BE OBTAINED FROM GMSPO.
THE INVOLVED VIN BREAKPOINTS HAVE BEEN REVISED. SEE TABLE BELOW FOR REVISED BREAKPOINTS.
CONDITION
General Motors has decided that a detect that relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2003 model year Buick Rendezvous and Pontiac Aztek vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a steering column intermediate shaft that is undersize. The undersize condition could allow the intermediate shaft to spin inside the steering column coupling, resulting in loss of directional control of the vehicle. If this were to happen while the vehicle is moving, a crash could result without prior warning.
CORRECTION
Dealers are to inspect, and replace it necessary, the steering column intermediate shaft.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 2003 Buick Rendezvous and Pontiac Aztek vehicles built within these 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 will be furnished to involved dealers with the hard copy of the recall bulletin at a later date. Verify vehicle eligibility by using GMVIS, GM Access Screen, or DCS Screen 445, whichever is applicable. 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 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.
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 vehicle. When installing the Recall Identification Label, be sure to pull the tab to allow adhesion of the clear protective covering. Additional Recall Identification Labels for US dealers can be obtained from Dealer Support Materials by either ordering on the web from DWD Store, gm-dealerworld.com, or calling 1-866-700-0001 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST). Request Item Number S-1015 when ordering.
Additional Recall Identification Labels for IPC dealers can be obtained from your Regional Marketing Office.
RECALL IDENTIFICATION LABEL - For CANADA
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 vehicle.
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 allowed. The amount of reimbursement should be charged as a net amount expense using the recall labor operation provided.
COURTESY TRANSPORTATION
Dealers are to provide customers will a comparable rental vehicle until the recall correction can be performed on their vehicle.
CLAIM INFORMATION
Submit a Product Recall Claim with the information indicated.
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 included with this bulletin). In addition, the Buick and Pontiac Outbound Calling Centers will be contacting customers of involved vehicles via telephone.
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION - For IPO
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 accompanying 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.
Disclaimer