Product Emission Recall – Catalytic Converter Internal Damage – 2013-2014 Chevrolet Cruze & Chevrolet Sonic

Bulletin No.: 16186-01
Date: June  2018

Subject:	Catalytic Converter Internal Damage
Models:	2013–2014 Chevrolet Cruze
	2013–2014 Chevrolet Sonic
	Equipped with 1.8L Engine (RPO LWE)

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Reference Number:	A162049350	Release Date:	June 2018
Revision:	01
Revision Description: This bulletin has been revised to remove the Module Programming Not Required labor code from the Warranty Information section and to update the Service Procedure. Effective immediately, technicians MUST record the Warranty Claim Code on the Job Card. To avoid warranty transaction rejection, this information must be entered when submitting the transaction. If the Same Calibration/Software Warning is noted on the SPS Controller screen, continue with the programming event using SPS to ensure a Warranty Claim Code is displayed on screen. Please discard all copies of bulletin 16186.

Make	Model	Model Year		RPO	Description
		From	To
Chevrolet	Cruze	2013	2014	LWE	1.8L Engine
Chevrolet	Sonic	2013	2014	LWE	1.8L Engine

Involved vehicles are identified on the Applicable Warranties section in GM Global Warranty Management system. This site should always be checked to confirm vehicle involvement prior to beginning any required inspections and/or repairs.

Condition

General Motors has decided to conduct a Voluntary Emission Recall on certain 2013-2014 model year Chevrolet Cruze and Sonic vehicles equipped with a 1.8L (RPO LWE) engine. On some vehicles, cracking of ceramic components internal to the catalytic converter may occur as a result of higher than anticipated exhaust temperatures. If this occurs, the catalytic converter low efficiency diagnostic will set and the malfunction indicator lamp will illuminate.

Correction

Dealers are to reprogram the engine control module with calibrations that prevent higher than expected exhaust temperatures.

 

Parts Information

No parts are required for this procedure.

 

Warranty Information

Labor Code	Description	Labor Time	Trans. Type	Net Item
9102906*	Engine Control Module Reprogramming with SPS Sonic	0.3	ZFAT	N/A
9102910*	Engine Control Module Reprogramming with SPS Cruze	0.4	ZFAT	N/A
9102967	Customer Reimbursement Approved	N/A	ZFAT	**
9102968	Customer Reimbursement Denied	N/A	ZFAT	***

Note: To avoid having to “H” route the customer reimbursement transaction for approval, it must be submitted prior to the repair transaction.

* To avoid warranty transaction rejections, the SPS Warranty Claim Code must be entered when submitting this transaction.

** Submit the dollar amount reimbursed to the customer in Net/Reimbursement. Submit $20.00 administrative allowance in Net/Admin Allowance.

*** Submit $10.00 administrative allowance in Net/Admin Allowance.

 

Warranty Claim Code Information Retrieval

If the SPS Warranty Claim Code was not recorded on the Job Card, the code can be retrieved in the SPS system as follows:

• Open TIS on the computer used to program the vehicle
• Select and start SPS
• Select Settings
• Select the Warranty Claim Code tab

The VIN, Warranty Claim Code and Date/Time will be listed on a roster of recent programming events. If the code is retrievable, dealers should resubmit the transaction making sure to include the code in the SPS Warranty Claim Code field.

 

Service Procedure

Note: Carefully read and follow the instructions below.

• Ensure the programming tool is equipped with the latest software and is securely connected to the data link connector. If there is an interruption during programming, programming failure or control module damage may occur.
• Stable battery voltage is critical during programming. Any fluctuation, spiking, over voltage or loss of voltage will interrupt programming. When required install the EL-49642 SPS Programming Support Tool to maintain system voltage. If not available, connect a fully charged 12 V jumper or booster pack disconnected from the AC voltage supply. DO NOT connect a battery charger.
• Turn OFF or disable systems that may put a load on the vehicles battery such as; interior lights, exterior lights (including daytime running lights), HVAC, radio, etc.
• Clear DTCs after programming is complete. Clearing powertrain DTCs will set the Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) system status indicators to NO.

Note: If the Same Calibration/Software Warning is noted on the SPS controller screen, select “OK” and continue programming.

1. Reprogram the engine control module. Refer to Engine Control Module: Programming and Setup in SI.
2. Record SPS Warranty Claim Code on job card for warranty transaction submission.
3. CALIFORNIA VEHICLES ONLY: Complete a “Proof of Correction” certificate and provide to the vehicle owner upon recall completion.

Note: If the DTC code (P0420) is stored, it is not a false store due to a software issue. The technician will need to perform SBD to address the P0420.

 

Dealer Responsibility

All new, used, GM Certified Used, courtesy transportation vehicles, dealer shuttle vehicles, etc. in dealers’ possession and subject to this program must be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this bulletin before customers take possession of these vehicles. Involved vehicles must be held and not delivered to customers, dealer-traded, released to auction, used for demonstration, or any other purpose.

All GM Certified Used vehicles currently in the dealers’ inventory within the Certified Pre-Owned Inventory System (CPOIS) will be de-certified and must be held and remedied per the service procedure in this bulletin. Upon submitting an accepted/paid warranty transaction in the Global Warranty Management (GWM) system, the vehicle can be re-certified for sale within the CPOIS system, or once again be used in the CTP program.

Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this program 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 program enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the program correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

When a California emissions recall is completed by a GM dealer, the dealer must provide the vehicle owner a “Proof of Correction Certificate” which the owner may need to present to the California Department Of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when renewing their vehicle registration. Without this correction certificate, the owner may be unable to renew their vehicle registration.

Additional Certificates can be obtained, at no charge, from the 1Store application in GlobalConnnect. Request GM Item Number 1825 when ordering.

 

Dealer Reports

For dealers with involved vehicles, a listing with involved vehicles has been prepared and will be provided to U.S. dealers through the GM GlobalConnect Recall Reports 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.

 

Customer Notification

General Motors will notify customers of this recall on their vehicle (see copy of customer letter included with this bulletin).

In order to ensure full protection under the emission warranty, and the right to participate in future recalls, the customer notification letter recommends that customers have their vehicles serviced as soon as possible. It also advises that failure to do so could legally be determined to be lack of proper maintenance. The vehicle may fail a state or local emission inspection test if the recall work is not completed.

 

Customer Reimbursement

Customer requests for reimbursement of previously paid repairs to correct the condition described in this bulletin are to be submitted to the dealer prior to or by May 31, 2018. See General Motors Service Policies and Procedures Manual, Section 6.1.11 – Product Field Action Customer Reimbursement Procedure.

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May 2017

This notice applies to your vehicle, VIN:___________________________

Dear General Motors Customer:

This notice is sent to inform you that General Motors is conducting a voluntary emission recall that includes your vehicle.

Reason For This Recall: On certain 2013-2014 model year Chevrolet Cruze and Sonic vehicles equipped with a 1.8L engine, cracking of ceramic components internal to the catalytic converter may occur as a result of higher than anticipated exhaust temperatures. If this occurs the catalytic converter low efficiency diagnostic will set and the malfunction indicator lamp will illuminate.

What Will Be Done: Your GM dealer will reprogram the engine control module with calibrations that prevent higher than expected exhaust temperatures. This service will be performed for you at no charge.

How Long Will The Repair Take? Because of service scheduling requirements, it is likely that your dealer will need your vehicle longer than the actual service correction time of approximately 25 minutes.

What You Should Do: Please contact your GM dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much time will be needed to schedule, process, and repair your vehicle.

If you have any questions or need any assistance, please contact your dealer or the appropriate Customer Assistance Center at the number listed below.

Division	Number	Text Telephones (TTY)
Chevrolet	1-800-630-2438	1-800-833-2438
Puerto Rico – English	1-800-496-9992
Puerto Rico – Español	1-800-496-9993
Virgin Islands	1-800-496-9994

Reimbursement: Even though you may have already had repairs for this condition, you will still need to take your vehicle to your dealer for additional repairs. If you have paid for repairs for the condition described in this letter, please complete the enclosed reimbursement form and present it to your dealer with all required documents. Working with your dealer will expedite your request, however, if this is not convenient, you may mail the completed reimbursement form and all required documents to Reimbursement Department, PO Box 33170, Detroit, MI 48232-5170. The completed form and required documents must be presented to your dealer or received by the Reimbursement Department by May 31, 2018, unless state law specifies a longer reimbursement period.

Emission Law Information: In order to ensure your full protection under the emission warranty made applicable to your vehicle by state and federal law, and your right to participate in future recalls, it is recommended that you have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible. Failure to do so could legally be determined to be lack of proper maintenance of your vehicle. Also, your vehicle may fail a state or local emission inspection if this recall is not accomplished.

 

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) requires vehicle emission recalls be completed prior to California registration renewal. Uncorrected emission recalls will result in the inability to renew your California vehicle registration.

At the time of emission recall completion, your California dealer will issue a “Proof of Correction Certificate”. Keep this certificate and, if required, present it to the Department of Motor Vehicles when renewing your California registration as proof of recall completion.

We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.

Jeffrey M. Boyer
Vice President
Global Vehicle Safety

Enclosure
16186