Special Policy Adjustment - Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Valve Failures - Replace EGR Valve

Some customers of 1996 and 1997 Chevrolet Camaro; Pontiac Firebird; and 1996 Chevrolet Impala, Caprice; Buick Roadmaster; Cadillac Fleetwood vehicles, equipped with a 5.7L (RPO LT1 - VIN Code P) engine, may experience a failure of the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Valve due to corrosion of the internal diaphragm plate, leading to driveability complaints of a Check Engine Light for EGR valve (DTC P0400); or engine stall at idle, runs rough or surges.

This special policy covers the condition described above for a period of 10 years/100,000 miles (161,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.

For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after January 19, 2001, are covered by this special policy and must be submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to January 19, 2001 must be submitted to the Service Contract provider.

Involved are all 1996 and 1997 Chevrolet Camaro; Pontiac Firebird; and 1996 Chevrolet Impala, Caprice; Buick Roadmaster; Cadillac Fleetwood vehicles equipped with a 5.7L (RPO LT1 - VIN Code P) engine and built within the following VIN breakpoints:

Parts required to complete this special policy are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO).

Customers will be notified of the special policy on their vehicles by General Motors (see copy of typical customer letter included with this bulletin -- actual divisional letter may vary slightly).

Please refer to the appropriate Service Manual and section for the EGR Valve Diagnostics and Removal and Replacement Procedures.

For vehicles repaired under the terms of this special policy, submit a claim with the information indicated below:

Customer requests for reimbursement of previously paid repairs to correct the EGR valve are to be submitted prior to or by January 31, 2002 (this time limitation may be longer depending upon the law in your state). Repairs must have occurred within the 10 years of the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

When a customer requests reimbursement, they must provide the following:

Customers from the States of California, Connecticut, Virginia, and Wisconsin must submit requests for reimbursement directly to <Divisions> per instructions in the owner letter.

If the work was done by someone other than a GM dealership, the amount of reimbursement will be limited to the amount that the repair would have cost GM to have it completed by a GM dealership.

As the owner of a 1996 or 1997 Chevrolet Camaro; Pontiac Firebird; or 1996 Chevrolet Impala, Caprice; Buick Roadmaster; Cadillac Fleetwood equipped with a 5.7L V8 engine, your satisfaction with our product is very important to us. Your vehicle was provided with a new vehicle warranty, which covers certain parts of your vehicle for a specified period. These warranties are of considerable value to you if you should experience problems with your vehicle.

This letter is intended to make you aware that some 1996 and 1997 Chevrolet Camaro; Pontiac Firebird; and 1996 Chevrolet Impala, Caprice; Buick Roadmaster; and Cadillac Fleetwood vehicles equipped with a 5.7L V8 engine may experience a condition where the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve may fail due to corrosion of the internal diaphragm. This will cause the emission system to not function properly.

This is not a recall campaign. Do not take your vehicle to your GM dealer as a result of this letter unless you believe that your vehicle has the condition as described above.

To address the above mentioned condition, General Motors is providing owners with special warranty coverage. If this condition occurs on your 1996 or 1997 Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird; or 1996 Chevrolet Impala, Caprice; Buick Roadmaster; Cadillac Fleetwood within 10 years of the date your vehicle was originally placed in service or 161,000 km (100,000 miles), whichever occurs first, the condition will be repaired for you at no charge .

Repairs and adjustments qualifying under this special coverage must be performed by a General Motors dealer. You may want to call our service department to find out how long they will need to have your vehicle so that you may schedule the appointment at a time that is convenient for you. This will also allow us to order parts if they are not already in stock. Keep this letter with your other important glovebox literature for future reference.

If you have already paid for some or all of the cost to have the EGR valve replaced and you have not received reimbursement under a Vehicle Service Contract, and the in-service time and mileage was less than 10 years and 161,000 km (100,000 miles), you should contact us to seek reimbursement. Please provide us with your original paid receipts or invoices verifying the repair, the amount charged, proof of payment, the date of payment of those charges, and proof of ownership of the vehicle at the time of the repair. Your request for reimbursement, including the information and documents mentioned above, must be received by us by January 31, 2002.

If the work was done by someone other than a GM dealership, the amount of reimbursement will generally be limited to the amount that the repair would have cost GM to have it completed by a GM dealership.

We are sorry for any inconvenience you may experience; however we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.

GMODC

General Motors Corporation

Dear General Motors Customer:

As the owner of a 1996 or 1997 Chevrolet Camaro; Pontiac Firebird; or 1996 Chevrolet Impala, Caprice; Buick Roadmaster; Cadillac Fleetwood equipped with a 5.7L V8 engine, your satisfaction with our product is very important to us. Your vehicle was provided with a new vehicle warranty, which covers certain parts of your vehicle for a specified period. These warranties are of considerable value to you if you should experience problems with your vehicle.

This letter is intended to make you aware that some 1996 and 1997 Chevrolet Camaro; Pontiac Firebird; and 1996 Chevrolet Impala, Caprice; Buick Roadmaster; and Cadillac Fleetwood vehicles equipped with a 5.7L V8 engine may experience a condition where the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve may fail due to corrosion of the internal diaphragm. This will cause the emission system to not function properly.

This is not a recall campaign. Do not take your vehicle to your General Motors dealer as a result of this letter unless you believe that your vehicle has the condition as described above.

To address the above mentioned condition, General Motors is providing owners with special warranty coverage. If this condition occurs on your 1996 or 1997 Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird; or 1996 Chevrolet Impala, Caprice; Buick Roadmaster; Cadillac Fleetwood within 10 years of the date your vehicle was originally placed in service or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first, the condition will be repaired for you at no charge .

Repairs and adjustments qualifying under this special coverage must be performed by a General Motors dealer. You may want to call the service department at your dealer to find out how long they will need to have your vehicle so that you may schedule the appointment at a time that is a convenient time for you. This will also allow your dealer to order parts if they are not already in stock. Keep this letter with your other important glovebox literature for future reference.

If you have already paid for some or all of the cost to have the EGR valve replaced and you have not received reimbursement under a Vehicle Service Contract, and the in-service time and mileage was less than 10 years and 100,000 miles, you should contact your dealer to seek reimbursement. Please provide your dealer with your original paid receipts or invoices verifying the repair, the amount charged, proof of payment, the date of payment of those charges, and proof of ownership of the vehicle at the time of the repair. Your request for reimbursement, including the information and documents mentioned above, must be received by your dealer by January 31, 2002.

If you have already paid for some or all of the cost to have the EGR valve replaced, and you have not received reimbursement under a Vehicle Service Contract, and the in-service time and mileage was less than 10 years and 100,000 miles, you should write to <divisional specific address> to seek reimbursement. Please provide your original paid receipts or invoices verifying the repair, the amount charged, proof of payment, the date of payment of those charges, and proof of ownership of the vehicle at the time of the repair. This information must be provided within two (2) years after the date on which you paid for the repair or by January 31, 2002, whichever is later.

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

If the work was done by someone other than a GM dealership, the amount of reimbursement will generally be limited to the amount that the repair would have cost GM to have it completed by a GM dealership.

We are sorry for any inconvenience you may experience; however we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.

<Divisions>

General Motors Corporation

Enclosure