Recall - Transfer Case Inspection/Replacement: Overview
# 08244: Product Safety - Transfer Case-Inspect/Replace(Jul 29, 2008)
Subject:
08244 -- Transfer Case - Inspect/Replace
Models:
2008 Chevrolet 1500 AWD Express
2008GMC 1500 AWD Savana
Condition
General Motors has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2008 model year Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana model vehicles, equipped with All Wheel Drive (AWD). Some of these vehicles have transfer cases that were manufactured with an incorrect part that can cause early failure of a drive chain. If the chain breaks, shifting the transmission to "Park" may not keep the vehicle stationary. If the vehicle is parked on an incline or bumped, it may roll and strike a person, object, or vehicle without warning, and cause personal injury.
Breakage of the chain will cause a loud noise and result in a delayed response when the driver shifts into a drive gear and presses the accelerator.
Correction
Dealers are to inspect the transfer case date code and, if necessary, replace the transfer case.
Vehicles Involved
Involved are certain 2008 model year Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana model vehicles, equipped with All Wheel Drive (AWD) and built within the VIN breakpoints shown above.
Important:
Dealers are to confirm vehicle eligibility prior to beginning repairs by using GM Vehicle Inquiry System (GMVIS). Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints 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 through the applicable system listed below. Dealers will not have a report available if they have no involved vehicles currently assigned.
- US GM dealers - GM DealerWorld Recall Information
- Canadian GM/Saturn/Saab dealers/retailers - GMinfoNet Recall Reports
- Export dealers - sent directly to 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.
Parts Information
Refer to Service Procedure.
Important:
Due to the small number of vehicles involved, and due to the inspection requirement, parts should only be ordered from the Product Quality Center (PQC) when inspection determines that it is necessary to replace the transfer case.
Service Procedure
1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Locate and inspect the transfer case date sticker. The transfer case date sticker is located on the back of the transfer case (1) near the left (driver side) front of the torsion bar mounting bracket.
2.1. If the date code, located on the second line of the sticker, indicates 06/18/2008 or 06/20/2008, continue to step 3 and replace the transfer case.
2.2. If the date code in not 06/18/2008 or 06/20/2008, the transfer case is okay. No further action is required.
3. If the inspection determines that a transfer case replacement is required, contact the Product Quality Center (PQC) and request a transfer case. The full 17-character VIN, the date code from the transfer case date sticker, and the 08244 bulletin reference number will be required when ordering.
Caution:
The new transfer case contains ATF fluid. To avoid spillage when removing from the shipping container, do not tilt the transfer case excessively in the direction of the clear/white shipping cap. Do not destroy the container as it can be reused to ship the removed transfer case to the WPC. Check fluid levels after installation.
4. Refer to SI and replace the transfer case. All removed transfer cases should be held until a Warranty Parts Center (WPC) request for return is received. DO NOT SHIP WITHOUT AN OFFICIAL WPC REQUEST. If you do not receive a WPC Request, call the PQC.
5. Return the removed transfer case to the WPC following the procedures outlined in bulletin 99-00-89-019E, including the draining of fluids.
Courtesy Transportation - For US and Canada
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. GM dealers should refer to the General Motors Service Policies and Procedures Manual for Courtesy Transportation guidelines. Saturn Canada retailers should refer to applicable Home Office letter on this subject.
Claim Information
Submit a Product Recall Claim with the information shown above.
Customer Notification - For US and Canada
General Motors will notify customers of this recall on their vehicle (see copy of customer letter shown in this bulletin).
Customer Notification - For Export
Letters will be sent to known owners of record located within areas covered by the US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. For owners outside these areas, dealers should notify customers using the sample letter.
Dealer Recall Responsibility - For US and Export (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