Date: 01.07.1996
Component: Fuel System, Gasoline > Fuel Injection System
Manufacturer: General Motors Corp.
Description:
A backfire during engine starting can cause breakage of the upper intake manifold.
Consequencs:
This condition can cause a no-start condition and possibly an engine compartment fire.
Notes:
Dealers will update the powertrain control module programming. until the campaign repair is made, the vehicle hood should be shut whenever starting the vehicle to reduce the chance of personal injury.
Date: 11.12.2003
Component: Steering > Rack And Pinion
Manufacturer: General Motors Corp.
Description:
Certain passenger vehicles have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. these retainers could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.
Consequencs:
If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. if the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering. if the pinion shaft moves even further, the driver will require much higher effort to turn left and may not be able to turn the wheel as much as intended. with the maximum pinion shaft movement, which requires internal gear component damage, the driver can encounter high resistance to turning left, followed by unintended power assist to the right. in any of these conditions, a crash could occur.
Notes:
Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. owner notification began on february 5, 2004. owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080; chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537; or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.
Date: 16.12.1999
Component: Visibility > Windshield Wiper/washer > Linkages
Manufacturer: General Motors Corp.
Description:
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. the windshield wipers may stop working due to a separation between the drive pin and crescent in the crank arm assembly.
Consequencs:
Driver visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Notes:
Dealers will inspect these vehicles for the presence of a plastic water deflector and, if necessary, replace the wiper motor crank arm and install a water deflector. on vehicles receiving a replacement crank arm and new water deflector, dealers will also apply additional sealing material to improve water deflection away from the crank arm assembly and will install a reinforcement to improve the performance of the wiper park mechanism.
Date: 15.05.1998
Component: Exterior Lighting > Headlights
Manufacturer: General Motors Corp.
Description:
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. the owner manuals do not contain the requirement information pertaining to the vehicle headlamp aiming device. this does not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Consequencs:
If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers may not be able to properly aim the headlights.
Notes:
Owners will be mailed an owner manual's insert which contains the appropriate information.
Date: 14.11.1997
Component: Service Brakes, Hydraulic > Foundation Components > Hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Manufacturer: General Motors Corp.
Description:
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. the right front brake pipe can contact the piower steering assembly causing the brake line to wear through.
Consequencs:
This condition can result in the loss of brake fluid and eventual loss of half of the vehicle brake system.
Notes:
Dealers will inspect for proper clearance between the brake line and power steering assembly. assemblies found to be out of position will be repositioned and all assemblies secured to maintain proper clearances. additionally, those brake lines found to have been damaged will be replaced and properly routed.
Date: 11.12.2003
Component: Steering > Rack And Pinion
Manufacturer: General Motors Corp.
Description:
Certain passenger vehicles have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. these retainers could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.
Consequencs:
If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. if the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering. if the pinion shaft moves even further, the driver will require much higher effort to turn left and may not be able to turn the wheel as much as intended. with the maximum pinion shaft movement, which requires internal gear component damage, the driver can encounter high resistance to turning left, followed by unintended power assist to the right. in any of these conditions, a crash could occur.
Notes:
Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. owner notification began on february 5, 2004. owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080; chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537; or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.
Date: 12.03.2008
Component: Engine And Engine Cooling
Manufacturer: General Motors Corp.
Description:
Gm is recalling 207,542 my 1997-2003 buick regal and pontiac grand prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8l supercharged v-6 engine. these vehicles have higher front rocker cover gasket temperatures, creating the potential for earlier degradation of the front rocker cover gasket and eventual oil seepage.
Consequencs:
Certain underhood fires may be caused by drops of engine oil, from seepage or spillage, being deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking. if the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and, in some instances, the fire may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond.
Notes:
Dealers will install a new front (left) rocker cover gasket with an improved design from the original gasket and replace the spark plug wire channel with new retainers. due to parts availability, owner notification letters will be mailed in two phases. the customer letters for the 1997-2000 model year vehicles will be mailed on april 28, 2008. gm will advise as to when the owner letters for the 2001-2003 model year vehicles will be mailed. until sufficient parts become available, gm strongly recommends that owners observe the following important precautions (1) they strongly recommend that owners do not park their vehicle in a garage, car port, or other structure; (2) if owners notice a burning odor, they should have their dealer inspect the vehicle. the dealer will inspect the vehicle without charge; (3) use premium fuel (91 octane or higher) in the vehicle as recommended in the vehicle's owner manual. owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080 or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or through their website at http://www.gmownercenter.com .
