Recall - Power Steering System Overheat: Overview
SAFETYBulletin No.: 11333B
Date: February 16, 2012
Subject: --11333B Power Steering System Overheat Install New Power Steering Fluid Cooler
Models:
2011-2012 Chevrolet Captiva
Equipped with V6 Engine (LF1/LFW)
Supercede:
The Service Procedure in this bulletin has been revised. Step 24 has been added. If a vehicle has already had this recall performed, there is no need to bring the vehicle back for this new inspection. Please discard all copies of bulletin 11333A, issued January 2012.
Condition
General Motors has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2011 and 2012 model year Chevrolet Captiva vehicles equipped with a V6 engine (LF1/LFW). Driving with the transmission in manual mode, and in first gear, causes the engine and power steering pump to operate at higher speed than is typical. The increased pump speed generates heat that is transferred to the power steering fluid. Operating the vehicle with engine speed in excess of 4,000 RPM in manual mode, coupled with the relatively low vehicle speed, for an extended period of time, can result in power steering fluid temperatures that approach the power steering pump reservoir's melting point. After prolonged exposure to elevated fluid temperatures, the reservoir may leak. This may result in loss of power steering assist, thermal damage and, possibly, a fire.
Correction
Dealers are to install a new power steering fluid cooler.
Vehicles Involved
Involved are certain 2011 and 2012 model year Chevrolet Captiva vehicles equipped with a V6 engine (LF1/LFW).
Important
Dealers are to confirm vehicle eligibility prior to beginning repairs by using the Required Field Actions section in the Global Warranty system. Not all vehicles may be involved.
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 dealers through the GM GlobalConnect Recall Reports. 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.
Part Information
U.S.: The power steering fluid cooler and the bolt are being shipped to involved service centers from the Warranty Parts Center (WPC). Shipments began the week of January 16, 2012 at no-charge. DO NOT ORDER THESE FROM GENERAL MOTORS CUSTOMER CARE AND AFTERSALES (GMCC&A). DO NOT CONTACT THE WPC FOR SHIPPING STATUS OR ADDITIONAL PARTS
The transmission fluid required to complete this recall is 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.
Export: Parts required to complete this recall is 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.
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 (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
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.
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