Customer Satisfaction - PASS-Key III Export Bit Programming Error

THIS RECALL IS IN EFFECT UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2002.

General Motors has decided that on all 2001 and certain 2002 Canadian Buick LeSabre vehicles built at Detroit Hamtramck Assembly and certain 2001 and 2002 Canadian Buick Park Avenue vehicle built at Orion Assembly, certain 2001 European and 2002 Canadian U Vans built at Doraville Assembly, and certain 2002 Canadian Buick Rendezvous vehicles built at Ramos Arizpe Assembly, the PASS-Key®III VTD (Vehicle Theft Deterrent) export bit as not set at DVT (Dynamic Vehicle Test). The export bit disables the "Quicklearn," "Autolearn" and "Fail Enable" features of the VTD and is required for insurance discounts in Canada and insurance eligibility in certain European countries.

Dealers are to reprogram the VTD module with a Tech 2.

Involved are all 2001 and certain 2002 Canadian Buick LeSabre vehicles built at Detroit Hamtramck Assembly and certain 2001 and 2002 Canadian Buick Park Avenue vehicle built at Orion Assembly, certain 2001 European and 2002 Canadian U Vans built at Doraville Assembly, and certain 2002 Canadian Buick Rendezvous vehicles built at Ramos Arizpe Assembly 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 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.

Dealer "Reflash" only - No parts required.

1. Connect the Tech 2 to the vehicle DLC connector.
2. Power On the Tech 2.

Important: If the Tech 2 software version is not 21.007 or higher, you must update the Tech 2. Software version 21.007 was broadcast to dealers on August 20, 2001; the CDs were shipped to dealers beginning August 22, 2001.

3. Select Diagnostics.
4. Select the model year of the vehicle being updated.
5. Select vehicle type: Passenger car or light duty truck.
6. Select body from the list.
7. Select the selling division of the vehicle.
8. Select Vehicle Theft Deterrent.
9. Select Special Functions.
10. Select Set Options.
11. Select Export Options.
12. Press Continue when the appropriate screen is displayed.
13. Select Export Option.
14. If an asterisk is not in front of the word Export, press the Enter key to set the asterisk.
15. Select Save option.
16. Exit.
17. Install the GM Recall Identification Label.

For Canada

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. Additional Recall 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.

For 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 calling 1-866-700-0001 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST). Ask for Item Number S-1015 when ordering.

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

Submit a Product Recall Claim with the information indicated below.

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

For Canada

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

For IPC

Dealers should notify customers using the attached suggested owner letter.

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, through December 31, 2002.

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 prior to January 01, 2003, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the recall correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

Dear General Motors Customer:

We want your experience owning your GM vehicle to be better than any other you've had, which is why we're writing.

We have learned that your GM vehicle may have been built with an incorrect setting in the Vehicle Theft Deterrent system. The correct setting is required for insurance discounts in Canada and insurance eligibility in certain European countries.

Dealers will reprogram the Vehicle Theft Deterrent System in your vehicle. This service will be performed for you at no charge through December 31, 2002.

You may be contacted by a dealer other than the dealer who sold or is currently servicing your vehicle. Please be advised that you may take your vehicle to the General Motors dealership of your choice to have the recall service work completed. Please contact your dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date.

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 sincerely regret any inconvenience this causes you; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.

Customer Support Department

General Motors of Canada Limited

Enclosure