Recall - Intermediate Steering Shaft Separation: Overview
SAFETYBulletin No.: 11149D
Date: August 18, 2011
Subject: 11149D - Intermediate Steering Shaft Separation
Models:
2011 Chevrolet Cruze
Supercede:
The Parts Information section in this bulletin has been revised. Parts required for this recall can now be obtained through GMCC&A. Replaced parts will no longer be returned to the WPC. Please discard all copies of bulletin 11149C, issued June 2011.
Condition
General Motors has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2011 model year Chevrolet Cruze vehicles. On some of these vehicles, the bolt attaching the intermediate steering shaft to the steering gear input shaft may not have been properly installed. This could allow the joint to separate, resulting in the loss of steering. If this happens while the vehicle is moving, a crash could occur without prior warning.
Correction
Dealers are to inspect and ensure that the intermediate steering shaft is installed properly.
Vehicles Involved
Involved are certain 2011 model year Chevrolet Cruze vehicles.
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.
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
* Less than 1% of vehicles will require replacement. Do not place orders until the inspection indicates that replacement is required.
Service Procedure
Lower Intermediate Steering Shaft Bolt Fully Seated
Lower Intermediate Steering Shaft Bolt NOT Seated
Lower Intermediate Steering Shaft Bolt
1. Inspect the intermediate steering shaft for a fully seated lower intermediate steering shaft bolt. Refer to the illustration. Portion "A" of the illustration shows a fully seated bolt. Portion "B" of the illustration shows a bolt that is not fully seated
- If the lower intermediate steering shaft bolt is fully seated and tightened to minimum of 25 Nm (18 lb-ft), proceed to Step 3.
- If the lower intermediate steering shaft bolt is NOT fully seated, replacement of the intermediate steering shaft, intermediate shaft bolts and steering gear is required. Refer to the "B" portion of the illustration. Proceed to Step 2.
2. Replace the steering gear and intermediate steering shaft. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement and Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement in SI. Proceed to Step 3 after completing repairs.
3. Turn the ignition to the ON/RUN position with the engine off.
4. Turn the steering wheel from stop-to-stop (left to right) to determine if there is excessive lash or a clunking noise produced in the upper or lower portions of the intermediate shaft. In addition, with two hands equally spaced on the steering wheel, firmly pull up and push down on the steering wheel to determine if there is excessive lash or a clunking noise produced from the steering wheel, steering column or intermediate shaft.
- If excessive lash is not present and the steering assembly does not produce a clunking noise, no further action is required.
- If excessive lash or a clunking noise is present, refer to diagnostic information in SI to diagnose and repair the steering assembly. Submit a warranty transaction for repairs and diagnostic time not related to the I-shaft inspection or I-shaft and steering gear replacement.
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 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
General Motors will notify customers of this recall on their vehicle (see copy of customer letter included with this bulletin).
Dealer Recall Responsibility - For US (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. 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