Product Safety Recall 18215 – Software Update Error Affecting Battery Cell Voltage Balancing – 2013 Chevrolet Volt

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Product Safety Recall
18215 – Software Update Error Affecting Battery Cell Voltage Balancing

Involved vehicles are marked “open” on the Investigate Vehicle History screen 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 that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2013 model year Chevrolet Volt vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which an error in a software update may prevent the battery from balancing the voltage among individual battery cells, which under certain circumstances can result in a low-voltage condition in one or more battery cells. If the voltage of a given battery cell falls below a certain level, the vehicle may enter a reduced propulsion power mode and notify the driver that propulsion power is reduced. If the vehicle continues to be driven after the vehicle enters reduced power mode, the vehicle may lose propulsion power completely, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Correction

Dealers will reprogram the HPCM2 (Hybrid Powertrain Control Module 2).

Parts Information

No parts are required for this repair.

Warranty Information

* To avoid warranty transaction rejections, the SPS Warranty Claim Code must be entered when submitting this transaction. Note that if multiple modules are reprogrammed, all claim codes must be entered with a comma separating each code.

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: If the customer has specifically mentioned observing the Propulsion Power is Reduced DIC message, perform the following:

• Use GDS2 to scan for related Vehicle DTC Information. If Any Relevant DTC information is found, use the applicable SI diagnostic procedure to correct the condition.
• If DTCs are not found, refer to the latest versions of PIC6292 and PIP4869 to properly address the customer’s concern.

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 hybrid powertrain control module 2. Refer to Hybrid Powertrain Control Module 2 Programming and Setup in SI.
2. Record SPS Warranty Claim Code on job card for warranty transaction submission.

CALIFORNIA VEHICLES ONLY: Complete a “Proof of Correction” certificate and provide to the vehicle owner upon recall completion.

***THE FOLLOWING 2 PARAGRAPHS ARE NOT FOR CANADA OR EXPORT***

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 GlobalConnect. Request GM Item Number 1825 when ordering.

Dealer Responsibility — For US and Export (US States, Territories, and Possessions)

It is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle or any new or used item of motor vehicle equipment (including a tire) covered by this notification under a sale or lease until the defect or noncompliance is remedied.

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 Responsibility — All

All new, used, GM Certified Used, courtesy transportation vehicles, dealer shuttle vehicles, etc. in dealers’ possession and subject to this recall 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 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 bulletins. 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.

Dealer Reports

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

Courtesy Transportation – For USA & Canada

Courtesy transportation is available for customers whose vehicles are involved in a product program and still within the warranty coverage period. See General Motors Service Policies and Procedures Manual, Sections 1.4 and 6.1.10, for courtesy transportation program details.

Customer Notification

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

Export – Letters will be sent to known owners of record located within areas covered by the US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Safety Recall 18215
Loss of Propulsion Due to Low Cell Voltage

These questions and answers are being provided to help GM dealers respond to inquiries from involved vehicle owners about the Safety recall identified above.

Q1)	Which vehicles are involved?
A1)	Population includes 2013 model year Chevrolet Volt vehicles reprogrammed with service software that disables battery cell balancing.
Q2)	What is the issue or condition?
A2)	General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2013 model-year Chevrolet Volt vehicles that received a software update in a service procedure performed by a dealer.  An error in the software update may prevent the batteries in these vehicles from balancing the voltage among individual battery cells, which under certain circumstances can result in a low-voltage condition in one or more battery cells.
Q3)	What symptoms may be experienced?  What warning signs may be associated with the issue or condition described?
A3)	If the voltage in a given battery cell falls below a certain level, the vehicle may enter a reduced power mode and notify the driver that propulsion power is reduced.  If the vehicle continues to be driven after the vehicle enters reduced power mode, the vehicle may lose propulsion.
Q4)	What is the remedy/repair?
A4)	Dealers will reprogram the Vehicle Interface Control Module (VICM) module.
Q5)	What is the safety risk?  Is the vehicle safe to drive?
A5)	The vehicle may lose propulsion power while driving, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Q6)	Does the customer have to pay for this remedy/repair?
A6)	No, this repair will be done at no cost to the customer.
Q7)	Is the remedy/repair available now?
A7)	No, the remedy/repair is not available currently, but we are working to expedite release of the software as soon as possible.
Q8)	What should customers do until recall repairs can be completed?  Are there any special instructions?
A8)	If special instructions are provided, they will be included in the notification letters to customers.
Q9)	How can customers check to see if their vehicle is involved in this field action?
A9)	Customers who own a vehicle involved in the field action will be notified by mail by General Motors, but they may also check their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for field actions in GM Owner Center at my.gm.com/recalls or via NHTSA’s website at vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/.
Q10)	If customers are concerned, can they get a rental car or courtesy transportation?
A10)	Courtesy transportation is available for customers whose vehicles are involved in this recall and are within the warranty coverage period for the warranty which is associated with this recall.  Please refer to Warranty Administration Bulletin #17-NA-073: Field Action Courtesy Transportation Policy for further information.

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