Warranty Admin. - Out-Of-Warranty Parts for Engineering Analysis

Important: 'GM of Canada' dealers are not authorized to utilize this service bulletin.

This bulletin announces a new process aimed at improving the long-term durability of General Motors® products. The new process is similar to the existing Corporate Parts Return Program as outlined in dealer Technical Service Bulletin #99-00-89-019C and the GM Service Policy and Procedure Manual, but adds a method for engineering analysis of out-of-warranty parts in addition to parts replaced during the warranty period.

The new Out-of-Warranty Part Return Process enables GM engineers and suppliers to obtain out-of-warranty replaced parts to assist them in the identification and resolution of durability related issues. This process is NOT a request to automatically replace parts, but rather a method to return those parts for analysis if they require service replacement.

Dealer service departments will receive notification of GM's interest in particular parts of specific vehicles via the GM Vehicle Inquiry System (GMVIS). The notification for the VINs of interest will occur in the "Service Information Items" section of the GMVIS Summary screen. In this section of GMVIS, the dealer will be directed to a Service Bulletin that will provide specific details. There will be other criteria specified in the bulletin such as the minimum vehicle mileage, only Genuine GM parts, etc. If the customer concern is unrelated to the Engineering Investigation, the service bulletin and this process do not apply.

If the out-of-warranty replacement part is "Customer-Pay", the dealer must first determine in accordance with state/local laws, if the customer wants the replaced part(s). Any "customer-declined" parts are eligible to be returned under this process. If the out-of-warranty replacement part is on a GM Protection Plan (GMPP) claim, unless required by state/local law, no customer permission is needed prior to returning the part to GM.

For both customer-declined or GMPP repairs, the dealer must submit a warranty claim using the Z labor operation as specified in the applicable Service Bulletin. The Z labor operation will generate the Warranty Parts Center (WPC) part return request upon claim payment, and the dealer will return the part(s) in accordance with the existing WPC procedures outlined in Service Bulletin #99-00-89-019C.

Important::  Do NOT return parts until a WPC part return request is received.

Dealers must submit a warranty claim in order for the WPC to request the part. The needed claim information is obtained from the Service Bulletin published for each engineering investigation. ALWAYS use the part cost of $1.00 when submitting the warranty claim for out-of-warranty parts to be returned regardless of part quantity. Remember, only customer-declined or GMPP repairs are covered in this process. By inserting one dollar in the parts allowance column, the WPC will request the part be returned using the normal WPC process. As with other WPC part return requests, the dealership can submit up to 0.3 hr for administrative time required to process the request. A separate Z7200 labor operation should NOT be submitted.

To summarize the procedure:

1. Customer brings vehicle to dealership for service.
2. Dealership queries GMVIS for vehicle information. If the vehicle has been identified as eligible for an Engineering Investigation for Out-of-Warranty parts analysis, review the applicable Service Bulletin.
3. If the applicable Out-of-Warranty parts require replacement, determine if customer desires to retain the replaced part.
4. For both customer-declined and GMPP parts, submit the appropriate Z labor operation and return part once the claim is paid and part return request is received.