CAMPAIGN: WHEEL STUD TORQUE. Chevrolet Impala 1996

NOTE: GM OF CANADA CAMPAIGN 96071 IS LOCATED BELOW THE U.S. VERSION

PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN

SUBJECT: 96071 - WHEEL STUD TORQUE -------------------------

MODELS: 1995-96 BUICK ROADMASTER, CADILLAC FLEETWOOD AND ------------------------------------------------ CHEVROLET CAPRICE -----------------

The Highway Safety Act, as amended, provides that each vehicle which is subject to a recall campaign 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 (60) 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. As you will see in reading the attached copy of the divisional letter that is being sent to customers, the customers are being instructed to contact the appropriate Customer Assistance Center if their dealer does not remedy the condition within five (5) days of the mutually agreed upon service date. If the condition is not remedied within a reasonable time, they are instructed on how to contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DEFECT INVOLVED

General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1995-96 Buick Roadmaster, Cadillac Fleetwood and Chevrolet Caprice model vehicles.

These vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the wheel lug nuts are no tightened securely. This may result in a fracture of the wheel studs, which could cause the wheel to separate from the vehicle. If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a vehicle crash could result without prior warning.

To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, dealers will tighten the wheel lug nuts to specification. Also, customers who have already had all four of their tires and wheels rotated, will be offered the option of returning to their dealer for this service or completing and returning the owner reply card as confirmation of this service.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

Involved are certain 1995-96 Buick Roadmaster, Cadillac Fleetwood and Chevrolet Caprice model vehicles built within the following VIN breakpoints:

YEAR DIVISION MODEL PLANT CODE FROM THROUGH

1995 Buick Roadmaster Arlington "R" SR430206 SR430508 1995 Cadillac Fleetwood Arlington "R" SR715929 SR716180 1995 Chevrolet Caprice Arlington "R" SR190902 SR192511 1996 Buick Roadmaster Arlington "R" TR400024 TR404912 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood Arlington "R" TR700026 TR703125 1996 Chevrolet Caprice Arlington "R" TR100047 TR114419

NOTICE: Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through VISS (Vehicle Information Service System) prior to beginning campaign 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 campaign bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with customers involved in this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.

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

PARTS INFORMATION

It is anticipated that all vehicles will only require the wheel lug nuts to be retorqued to specification. However, if parts are required to complete this campaign, they are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). Normal orders should be placed on a DRO = Daily Replenishment Order. An emergency requirement should be ordered on a CSO = Customer Special Order.

CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION

Customers will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by General Motors (see copy of customer letter included with this bulletin). Also, customers who have already had all four of their tires and wheels rotated, will be offered the option of returning to their dealer for service or completing and returning the owner reply card as confirmation of this service.

COURTESY TRANSPORTATION

The availability of courtesy transportation to customers whose vehicles are involved in this campaign is of the utmost importance in maintaining customer satisfaction. Dealers are to take the steps necessary to ensure that these customers clearly understand that courtesy transportation is available and will be provided upon request at no charge. Dealers should submit such claims in the normal manner and appropriate credit will be issued.

Dealers may wish to review Corporate Bulletin 68-05-02a released in October 1996 for guidelines regarding loaner/rentals.

DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY

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

Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign 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 appropriate divisional customer letter accompanying this bulletin. Campaign follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the customer may not as yet have received the notification letter.

DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY

In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, please take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Remove wheel covers (if equipped).

2. Using STAR pattern tightening sequence (depicted in Section 3E); and torque stick (J-39544-15), tighten lug nuts to 140 Nm (100 lb. ft.). Repeat procedure on all four (4) wheels.

Notice: NEVER use lubricant or penetrating fluids on wheel studs, lug nuts or mounting surfaces since this can raise the actual torque on the lug nut. Wheel lug nuts, studs and mounting surfaces must be clean and dry.

3. Install wheel covers (if equipped).

4. Install the GM Campaign Identification Label.

CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL

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

Each "Campaign Identification Label" is to be located on the radiator core support in an area which will be visible when the vehicle is brought in by the customer for periodic servicing. When installing the Campaign Identification Label, be sure to pull the tab to allow adhesion of the clear protective covering. Additional Campaign Identification Labels can be obtained from VISPAC Incorporated by calling 1-800-269-5100 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST). Ask for Item Number S-1015 when ordering.

Apply the "Campaign Identification Label" only on a clean, dry surface.

CLAIM INFORMATION

Submit a Product Campaign Claim with the information indicated below:

* REPAIR PART FAILED PARTS LABOR LABOR PERFORMED COUNT PART NO. ALLOW CC-FC 0P HOURS ---------------- ----- -------- ----- ----- ----- ----- Tighten Lug Nuts - -- -- MA-96 V9984 0.2 To Specification

* Add: For Campaign Administrative Allowance, add 0.1 hours to the "Labor Hours".

Add: For Locking Wheel Covers, add 0.1 hours to the "Labor Hours" (excluding Cadillac).

Refer to the General Motors Corporation Claims Proces.sing Manual for details on Product Campaign Claim Submission.

December, 1996

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

Reason For This Recall: General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1995-96 Buick Roadmaster, Cadillac Fleetwood and Chevrolet Caprice model vehicles.

These vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the wheel lug nuts are not tightened securely. This may result in a fracture of the wheel studs, which could cause the wheel to separate from the vehicle. If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a vehicle crash could result without prior warning.

What Will Be Done: To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, your dealer will tighten your vehicle's wheel lug nuts to specification. This service will be performed for you at no charge.

If you have already had all four (4) of your tires and wheels rotated or removed and reinstalled, it is not necessary to visit your dealer. Please fill out the enclosed Customer Reply Card by checking the "Campaign Completed" box and appropriate "Self/Dealer/Other" box and return it to us. If you would like, you may still elect to visit your dealer to have your vehicle's wheel lug nuts tightened. If you choose to visit your dealer, please do not mail the customer reply card to us. Instead, please follow the instructions below.

How Long Will The Repair Take? The length of time required to perform this service correction is approximately 10 minutes. Additional time may be required to schedule and process your vehicle. If your 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.

Contacting Your Dealer: 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 <Division> 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/Relations Center listed on the next page.

Deaf, Hearing Impaired Division Number or Speech Impaired * --------- -------------- ---------------------- Buick 1-800-521-7300 1-800-832-8425 Cadillac 1-800-458-8006 1-800-833-2622 Chevrolet 1-800-222-1020 1-800-833-2439

* Utilizes Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf/Text Telephones (TDD/TTY)

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, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20590 or call 1-800-424-9393 (Washington D.C. residents use 202-366-0123).

Customer Reply Card: The enclosed 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 have already had all four tires and wheels rotated and do not require dealer service or you no longer own this vehicle, please let us know by completing the postage paid reply card and returning it to us.

Courtesy Transportation: <Use this section only when applicable> 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.

<Division(s)> GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION

** CANADIAN VERSION **

PRODUCT SAFETY CAMPAIGN

SUBJECT: CAMPAIGN 96071 - WHEEL STUD TORQUE ----------------------------------

MODELS: 1996 BUICK ROADMASTER, CADILLAC FLEETWOOD AND CHEVROLET CAPRICE ---------------------------------------------------------------

DEFECT INVOLVED

General Motors of Canada Limited has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1996 Buick Roadmaster, Cadillac Fleetwood and Chevrolet Caprice model vehicles.

Some of these vehicles have wheel lug nuts that were not tightened to the proper specification during assembly. This may result in a fracture of the wheel studs, which could cause the wheel to separate from the vehicle. If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a vehicle crash could result without prior warning.

To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, dealers will tighten the wheel lug nuts to specification. Also, customers who have already had all four of their tires and wheels rotated, will be offered the option of returning to their dealer for this repair or calling the Customer Communication Centre as confermation of this service.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

Involved are certain 1996 Buick Roadmaster, Cadillac Fleetwood and Chevrolet Caprice model vehicles and built within the following VIN breakpoints:

YEAR DIVISION MODEL PLANT PLANT CODE FROM THROUGH 1996 Buick Roadmaster Arlington "R" TR400024 TR404912 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood Arlington "R" TR700026 TR703125 1996 Chevrolet Caprice Arlington "R" TR100047 TR114419

NOTE: PLEASE CHECK DCS SCREEN 445 OR YOUR V.I.N. LISTING BEFORE PERFORMING CAMPAIGN TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLE IS AFFECTED ONLY AFFECTED VIN'S WILL BE PAID.

PARTS INFORMATION

It is anticipated that all vehicles will only require the wheel lug nuts to be retorqued to specification. However, if parts are required to complete this campaign, they are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). Please refer to your "involved vehicles listing" prior to ordering requirements.

CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION

All customers of record at the time of campaign release are shown on the attached computer listing and have been notified by first class mail from General Motors (see copy of customer letter included with this bulletin). The listings provided are for campaign activity only and should not be used for any other purpose. Also, customers who have already had all four of their tires and wheels rotated, will be offered the option of returning to their dealer for this service or advising the Customer Communication Centre as confermation of this service.

COURTESY TRANSPORTATION

Dealers may wish to review Corporate Bulletin 68-05-02a released in October 1996 for guidelines regarding loaner/rentals.

DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY

All unsold new vehicles in dealer's possession and subject to this campaign must be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this campaign bulletin before customers take possession of these vehicles.

Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.

In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this campaign enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Remove wheel covers (if equipped).

2. Using STAR pattern tightening sequence (depicted in Section 3E); and torque stick (J-39544-15), tighten lug nuts to 140 N.m (100 lb. ft.). Repeat procedure on all four (4) wheels.

Notice: NEVER use lubricant or penetrating fluids on wheel studs, lug nuts or mounting surfaces since this can raise the actual torque on the lug nut. Wheel lug nuts, studs and mounting surfaces must be clean and dry.

3. Install wheel covers (if equipped).

4. Install Campaign Identification Label.

CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL

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

Each "Campaign Identification Label" is to be located on the radiator core support in an area which will be visible when the vehicle is brought into the dealership for periodic servicing. Additional Campaign Identification Labels can be obtained from DGN by calling 1-800-668-5539 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST). Ask for Item Number GMEP 91 when ordering. Apply the "Campaign Identification Label" only on a clean, dry surface.

CLAIM INFORMATION

Submit a Product Campaign Claim with the information indicated below:

* REPAIR PERFORMED PART FAILED PARTS LABOUR LABOUR COUNT PART NO. ALLOW CC-FC 0P HOURS ---------------- ----- -------- ----- ----- ------ ------ Tighten Lug Nuts -- -- -- MA-96 V9984 0.2 to Specification

* For Campaign Administrative Allowance, add 0.1 hours to the "Labour Hours".

Add: For Locking Wheel Covers, add O.1 hours to the "Labour Hours" (excluding Cadillac).

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

December 1996

Dear General Motors Customer:

General Motors of Canada Limited has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1996 Buick Roadmaster, Cadillac Fleetwood and Chevrolet Caprice model vehicles.

To prevent the possibility of this condition occuning, your GM dealer will tighten your vehicle's wheel lug nuts to specification.

This service will be provided for you at no charge.

Please contact your GM dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date.

If you have already had all four of your tires and wheels rotated or removed and reinstalled, it is not necessary to visit your dealer. Please let us know by calling our Customer Communication Centre at 1-800-263-3777 (English) or 1-800-263-7854 (French). This will allow us to remove your vehicle from further campaign follow-up communications. If you would like, you may still elect to visit your dealer to have your vehicle's wheel lug nuts tightened.

If you choose to visit your dealer," it is not necessary to call our Customer Communication Centre.

This letter identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this letter to your dealer will assist their Service personnel in completing the necessary correction to your vehicle in the shortest possible time.

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

Customer Support Department General Motors of Canada Limited

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.