Diagnostic Tip – Diesel Exhaust Fluid System Contamination – 2010-2023 Chevrolet & GMC

NHTSA ID Number: 10222781

Manufacturer Communication Number: 19-NA-237

Summary

This informational bulletin explains how to identify possible DEF contamination.

 


Condition

Some customers may comment on one or more of the following conditions:

  • Exhaust fluid quality poor message on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
  • Diesel exhaust fluid warning lamp on.
  • Other exhaust fluid quality related concerns.

 

Cause

This condition may be caused by contamination in the diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) system and it’s components.

 

Correction

Note: Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

Refer to SI for Contaminants in Diesel Exhaust Fluid Diagnosis and use special tools J26568 Coolant and Battery Fluid Tester or EN50422 Diesel Exhaust Fluid Refractometer for fluid testing.

Note: All 2017 and newer model year diesel vehicles, with the exception of the Colorado and Canyon, are equipped with a DEF quality sensor integrated into the DEF tank. The value of this sensor can be read with the scan tool in the reductant data as the Reductant Concentration.

 


163 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKEMODELYEAR
CADILLACeBay logoESCALADE2021-2023
CADILLACeBay logoESCALADE ESV2021-2023
CHEVROLETeBay logoCOLORADO2016-2022
CHEVROLETeBay logoCRUZE2014-2015, 2017-2019
CHEVROLETeBay logoEQUINOX2018-2019
CHEVROLETeBay logoEXPRESS2010-2022
CHEVROLETeBay logoEXPRESS 15002010-2012, 2014
CHEVROLETeBay logoEXPRESS 25002010-2011, 2014
CHEVROLETeBay logoEXPRESS 35002010, 2012, 2014
CHEVROLETeBay logoEXPRESS 45002012, 2014, 2016
CHEVROLETeBay logoEXPRESS CUTAWAY2013
CHEVROLETeBay logoG VAN BUS2010-2011
CHEVROLETeBay logoG45002018
CHEVROLETeBay logoSILVERADO 15002011-2018, 2020-2023
CHEVROLETeBay logoSILVERADO 25002019-2023
CHEVROLETeBay logoSILVERADO 35002019-2023
CHEVROLETeBay logoSILVERADO 4500HD2019-2023
CHEVROLETeBay logoSILVERADO 5500HD2019-2023
CHEVROLETeBay logoSILVERADO 6500HD2019-2023
CHEVROLETeBay logoSUBURBAN2021-2023
CHEVROLETeBay logoSUBURBAN 15002021-2022
CHEVROLETeBay logoTAHOE2021-2023
GMCSAVANA2010-2022
GMCSAVANA 15002010-2017
GMCSAVANA 25002010-2018
GMCSAVANA 35002010-2018
GMCSIERRA 15002011-2018, 2020-2023
GMCSIERRA 25002019-2023
GMCSIERRA 35002019-2023
GMCSIERRA DENALI2019-2020
GMCYUKON2021-2023
GMCYUKON XL2021-2022

 


1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

Bulletin No.: 19-NA-237
Date: September, 2022

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10222781

MC-10222781-0001.pdf 733.543KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10144449

Manufacturer Communication Number: PIP5370D

Summary

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that some vehicle may have an โ€œExhaust Fluid Quality Poorโ€ on the Driver Information Center or a diesel exhaust fluid warning lamp on or other exhaust fluid quality related concerns. Technician will inspect the diesel exhaust fluid for contamination. Technician should use Service Information for Contaminants in Diesel Exhaust Fluid Diagnosis and use special tool J26568 or EN50422 Diesel Exhaust Fluid Refractometer for fluid testing.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

Bulletin No.: PIP5370D
Published date: 08/8/2018

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10144449

MC-10144449-9999.pdf 2689.641KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10143448

Manufacturer Communication Number: PIP5370C

Summary

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that some vehicle may have an โ€œExhaust Fluid Quality Poorโ€ on the Driver Information Center or a diesel exhaust fluid warning lamp on or other exhaust fluid quality related concerns. Technician will inspect the diesel exhaust fluid for contamination. Technician should use Service Information for Contaminants in Diesel Exhaust Fluid Diagnosis and use special tool J26568 or EN50422 Diesel Exhaust Fluid Refractometer for fluid testing.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

Bulletin No.: PIP5370C
Published date: 06/19/2018

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10143448

MC-10143448-9999.pdf 2689.642KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10119070

Manufacturer Communication Number: PIP5370A

Summary

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that some vehicle may have an ?Exhaust Fluid Quality Poor? on the Driver Information Center or a diesel exhaust fluid warning lamp on or other exhaust fluid quality related concerns. Technician will inspect the diesel exhaust fluid for contamination. Technician should use Service Information for Contaminants in Diesel Exhaust Fluid Diagnosis and use special tool J26568 or EN50422 Diesel Exhaust Fluid Refractometer for fluid testing.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

Bulletin No.: PIP5370A
Date: Oct-2016

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10119070

MC-10119070-9999.pdf 798.052KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10096079

Manufacturer Communication Number: PIP5370

Summary

THIS PRELIMINARY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE TECHNICIAN THAT SOME VEHICLE MAY HAVE AN ย“EXHAUST FLUID QUALITY POORย” ON THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER OR A DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID WARNING LAMP ON OR OTHER EXHAUST FLUID QUALITY RELATED CONCERNS. TECHNICIAN WILL INSPECT THE DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID FOR CONTAMINATION. TECHNICIAN SHOULD USE SERVICE INFORMATION FOR CONTAMINANTS IN DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID DIAGNOSIS AND USE SPECIAL TOOL J26568 OR EN50422 DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID REFRACTOMETER FOR FLUID TESTING.

 

2 Associated Documents

Service Bulletin Document

Bulletin No.: PIP5370
Date: Feb-2016

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10096079

SB-10096079-2280.pdf 783.666KB

 


Manufacturer Communications

Bulletin No.: PIP5370
Date: Feb-2016

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10096079

MC-10096079-2280.pdf 783.666KB

 


 

Bestseller No. 1
Blue Def DEF002-2PK Diesel Exhaust Fluid, 2.5 Gallon, 2 Pack
  • One gallon of is used approximately every 300 miles
  • A truck with a 20 gallon DEF tank can go up to 6000 miles between fill-ups
  • When used in an SCR system will reduce the levels of NOx emissions of those engines
Bestseller No. 2
Blue Def DEF002-4PK Diesel Exhaust Fluid, 2.5 Gallon, 4 Pack
  • One gallon of is used approximately every 300 miles
  • A truck with a 20 gallon DEF tank can go up to 6000 miles between fill-ups
  • When used in an SCR system will reduce the levels of NOx emissions of those engines
  • Fit type: Universal
Bestseller No. 3
SaleBestseller No. 4
ACDelco GM Original Equipment 10-4022 Diesel Exhaust Emissions Reduction (DEF) Fluid - 1 gal, white
  • Meets GM Original Equipment specifications to be approved for use in GM vehicles as well as in non-GM diesel vehicles that have an SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) system to meet regulated NOx emissions (Based on EPA certification testing. Your actual emissions will vary based on several factors including temperature, terrain, and driving conditions).
  • High quality formula is made from high purity urea and deionized water.
  • Meets API regulations and ISO 22241 standard for purity and concentration
  • Nozzles sold separately
Bestseller No. 5
Ford Genuine Fluid PM-27-JUG Diesel Exhaust Fluid - 2.5 Gallon
  • Required for diesel vehicles equipped with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) emissions after treatment system
  • Reduces NOx emissions in diesel vehicles with an SCR catalyst
  • AUS32 fluid meeting all the requirements and purity standards of ISO 22241 and DIN70071
  • Nozzle specifically designed to fit the DEF filler opening of 2011MY and forward FordeBay logo diesel vehicles (as well as many competitive vehicles) and prevent over filling the DEF tank
  • Use only dispensing systems that are compatible with DEF

Last update on 2026-05-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


 

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1 thought on “Diagnostic Tip – Diesel Exhaust Fluid System Contamination – 2010-2023 Chevrolet & GMC”

  1. I like hat you talked about keeping contaminated fluid quarantined away form the rest of the vehicle. I will make sure to employ this later today when I take a look at my truck. I want to make sure that it is in prime operating condition. I love that truck, it’s so much fun to go muddin’ in, man I have a good time!

    Reply

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