Customer Satisfaction - Battery Drain

General Motors has decided that certain 2003 model year Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe, and Suburban; 2003 model year GMC Sierra, Yukon, and Yukon XL; and 2003 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade EXT, and Escalade ESV vehicles equipped with Quadrasteer (NYS), Autoride (Z55), or Vehicle Stability Enhancement/StabiliTrak (JL4) may have the potential of exhibiting a battery drain condition. An anomaly in the operation of the steering wheel position sensor may keep the Body Control Module (BCM) from shutting down when the key is in the OFF position. The resultant 3.5 amp draw/load on the battery could possibly discharge the battery to the point where the battery will not have sufficient amperage to start the vehicle.

Dealers are to reprogram the BCM.

Involved are certain 2003 model year Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe, and Suburban; 2003 model year GMC Sierra, Yukon, and Yukon XL; and 2003 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade EXT, and Escalade ESV vehicles equipped with Quadrasteer (NYS), Autoride (Z55), or Vehicle Stability Enhancement/StabiliTrack (JL4) built within these VIN breakpoints:

Important: Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through GMVIS (GM Vehicle Inquiry System) or GM Access Screen (Canada only) or DCS Screen 445 (IPC only) prior to beginning program 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 program bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow up with customers involved in this program. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the program 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 program.

No parts are required for this recall.

1. Reprogram the BCM (referred to as the TBCM on the Techline terminal) using SPS programming (TIS version 11.76) released in the U.S. in November and Canada in December 2002, or newer.
2. Install the GM Recall Identification Label.

For US and IPC

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 either ordering on the web from DWD Store, gm-dealerworld.com, or calling 1-866-700-0001 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST). Ask for Item Number S-1015 when ordering.

Additional Program Identification Labels for IPC dealers can be obtained from your Regional Marketing Office.

For Canada

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

Put the Program 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. Additional Program Identification Labels for Canadian dealers can be obtained from DGN by calling 1-800-668-5539 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST). Ask for Item Number GMP91 when ordering.

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.

Submit a Product Program Claim with the information indicated below.

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

For US and Canada

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

For IPC

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 attached suggested dealer letter.

All unsold new vehicles in dealers' possession and subject to this program MUST be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this program bulletin BEFORE customers take possession of these vehicles.

Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this program 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. Program 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 program enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the program correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

Dear General Motors Customer:

We want your experience owning your 2003 model year Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe, and Suburban; 2003 model year GMC Sierra, Yukon, and Yukon XL; and 2003 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade EXT, and Escalade ESV vehicles equipped with Quadrasteer, Autoride, or Vehicle Stability Enhancement/StabiliTrack to be better than any other you've had ... which is why we're writing.

We have learned that your 2003 model year Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe, and Suburban; 2003 model year GMC Sierra, Yukon, and Yukon XL; and 2003 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade EXT, and Escalade ESV vehicle may have the potential of exhibiting a battery drain condition. An anomaly in the operation of the steering wheel position sensor may keep the Body Control Module (BCM) from shutting down when the key is in the OFF position. The resultant 3.5 amp draw/load on the battery could possible discharge the battery to the point where the battery will not have sufficient amperage to start the vehicle.

We've sent a new BCM calibration to your dealer so that if your vehicle can be reprogrammed to ensure that the BCM shuts down when you turn the vehicle off. This service will be performed for you at no charge .

We recommend that you contact your dealer to arrange a service date. If you have experienced this condition in the past and your battery was recharged or replaced, your vehicle will still need to be reprogrammed.

Presenting the attached card to your dealer will assist in making the necessary correction in the shortest possible time.

If you no longer own this vehicle, please check the appropriate box and provide new owner information, if available.

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

If your vehicle is within the New Vehicle Limited Warranty your dealer may 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 sincerely regret any inconvenience this causes you. Also, we want you to know that we will continue to do everything we can to ensure that you are completely satisfied with our products.

General Motors Corporation

Enclosure