Product Safety Recall - Loose Steering Gear to Cradle Joints

General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2002 Cadillac DeVille/Seville and Buick LeSabre model vehicles. Some of these vehicles may have missing or under-torqued steering gear attachment bolts. If a bolt is missing, the driver may notice uneven steering response or unusual noises during turns. If the left bolt is missing and the right mounting strap fails, steering control is lost and a vehicle crash can result.

Dealers are to inspect vehicles for the presence and proper torque of both steering gear attaching bolts.

Involved are certain 2002 Cadillac DeVille/Seville and Buick LeSabre model vehicles built within these VIN breakpoints:

Important: Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through GMVIS (GM Vehicle Inquiry System) before beginning recall repairs. [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.]

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers with the recall bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with customers involved in this recall. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the recall bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.

These dealer listings may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this recall.

No parts involved.

1. Raise the vehicle on a suitable hoist.
2. Remove the right front stabilizer bar link bolt from the lower control arm and remove the link.
3. Remove the left front stabilizer bar link from the lower control arm and remove the link.
4. Rotate the stabilizer bar as necessary to access the two bolts that attach the steering rack and pinion assembly to the front cradle bracket.
5. Verify that both the left and right rack and pinion assembly attaching bolts are in place.

•	If the right bolt is missing, install a new bolt and proceed to Step 6.

•

If the left bolt is missing, inspect the RIGHT side of the rack and pinion housing for cracks in the bracket or strap that attaches the housing to the cradle. If cracks have developed in the bracket they would typically start at the end of the weld that attaches the bracket to the housing. If cracks are found in the bracket or if the bracket or strap is bent, replace the complete rack and pinion assembly.

6. Using a 18 mm socket and torque wrench, verify that the two rack and pinion attaching bolts are tightened to 95 N·m (70 lb ft).
7. Rotate the stabilizer bar back to its original position.
8. Position the left side stabilizer bar link between the lower control arm and the stabilizer bar and install the bolt.

Tighten
Tighten the bolt to 17 N·m (13 lb ft).

9. Position the right side stabilizer link between the lower control arm and the stabilizer bar and install the bolt.

Tighten
Tighten the bolt to 17 N·m (13 lb ft).

10. Tighten the left side stabilizer link bolt.

Tighten
Tighten the bolt to 17 N·m (13 lb ft).

11. Lower the vehicle.
12. Open the hood and install the GM Recall Identification Label.

Place a Recall Identification Label on each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Recall Bulletin. Each label provides a space to include the recall number and the five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the recall service. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or a ball point pen.

Put the Recall Identification Label on a clean and dry surface of the radiator core support in an area that will be visible to people servicing the vehicle. When installing the Recall Identification Label, be sure to pull the tab to allow the adhesion of the clear protective covering. Additional Recall Identification Labels for US dealers can be obtained from Dealer Support Materials by calling 1-866-700-0001 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST). Ask for Item Number S-1015 when ordering.

Submit a Product Recall Claim with the information indicated below:

Refer to the General Motors WINS Claims Processing Manual for details on Product Recall Claim Submission.

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 Warranty. The availability of courtesy transportation to customers whose vehicles are within the warranty coverage period and involved in a product recall 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. Dealers should refer to the General Motors Service Policies and Procedures Manual for Courtesy Transportation guidelines.

Customers will be notified of this recall on their vehicles by General Motors (see copy of customer letter included with this bulletin).

The US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act provides that each vehicle which 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.

FOR 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. This could be done by mailing to such customers a copy of the customer letter accompanying this bulletin. 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, please take the steps necessary to be sure the recall correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

Dear General Motors Customer:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2002 Cadillac DeVille/Seville and Buick LeSabre model vehicles. Some of these vehicles may have missing or under-torqued steering gear attachment bolts. If a bolt is missing, the driver may notice uneven steering response or unusual noises during turns. If the left bolt is missing and the right mounting strap fails, steering control is lost and a vehicle crash can result.

Dealers are to inspect vehicles for the presence and proper torque of both steering gear attaching bolts. This service will be performed for you at no charge .

The length of time required to perform this inspection and service correction is approximately 25 minutes. Additional time may be required to schedule and process your vehicle. If you dealer has a large number of vehicles awaiting service, this additional time may be significant. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed to schedule, process and repair your vehicle.

Please contact your dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer.

Your dealer is best equipped to obtain parts and provide services to correct your vehicle as promptly as possible. Should your dealer be unable to schedule a service date within a reasonable time, you should contact the appropriate Customer Assistance Center at the number listed below:

If, after contacting the appropriate customer assistance center, you are still not satisfied that we have done our best to remedy this condition without charge and within a reasonable time, you may wish to write the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street SW, Washington, DC 20590 or call 1-888-327-4236.

The attached customer reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the necessary correction in the shortest possible time. If you no longer own this vehicle, please let us know by completing the attached and mailing it in the postage paid envelope.

Your dealer will provide you with shuttle service or some other form of courtesy transportation while your vehicle is at the dealership for this repair. Please refer to your Owner's Manual and your dealer for details on Courtesy Transportation.

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

General Motors Corporation

Enclosure