GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars

RETAILER DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF NON-SATURN PARTS

SUBJECT: RETAILER DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF NON-SATURN PARTS

OVERVIEW: Customers normally purchase parts and accessories from Retail facilities with the expectation that they are buying genuine Saturn products that meet our stringent quality standards and have the backing of Saturn warranties.

If you elect to sell or use non-Saturn parts, you are required to observe the related guidelines outlined in your Dealer Agreement and the warranty policies stated in the Saturn Service Policies and Procedures Manual. These requirements are identified in the following sections:

PART I CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION

PART II USE OF NON-SATURN PARTS IN WARRANTY REPAIRS

PART I: CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION

As noted in the following excerpt, a Retail facility that sells or uses parts or accessories not marketed by Saturn must give Customers written notice, prior to the sale, explaining sale and warranty conditions.

Dealer Agreement Excerpt: Part Three (12-B-2): Parts, Accessories, Service Contracts and Body Repairs

Representations and Disclosures as to Modifications, Parts, Accessories, and Service Contracts

Dealer and Franchisor recognize that owners and users of Motor Vehicles reasonably expect that the vehicles sold by Dealer and the parts, accessories and service contracts sold or used by Dealer in servicing vehicles are marketed by Saturn or Franchisor. If Dealer sells or uses parts, accessories or service contracts not marketed by Saturn or Franchisor, it will give Customers written notice, prior to the sale or service, that such parts, accessories or service contracts are not marketed or warranted by Saturn or Franchisor. Dealer also agrees not to represent that vehicle modifications not specifically authorized by Saturn are warranted or approved by Saturn or Franchisor.

To meet this commitment, Retailers must provide customers, prior to the sale or service, with a written disclosure stating the non-Saturn parts are not marketed or warranted by Saturn or the Retailer. In addition, Saturn recommends that the written disclosure to the customer include the following information:

o Retail facility name

o Customer name

o Part number and description of non-Saturn part(s) sold

o Space for Customer signature

One copy of the signed letter should be retained at the Retail facility and another should be given to the Customer.

PART II: USE OF NON-SATURN PARTS IN WARRANTY REPAIRS

Retail facilities must be aware of the following warranty policies and procedures concerning non-Saturn parts: (For more detailed information, refer to the Saturn Service Policies & Procedures Manual, Articles 1.2.4E and 3.8. 1).

0 If Saturn parts are not available, Retailer must obtain comparable non-Saturn parts and clearly indicate in detail on the hard copy or shop copy of the Customer Service Order why non-Saturn parts were used. Retailer or Saturn Authorized Service Provider will describe the use of any non-Saturn parts to the owner and explain the warranty coverage for those parts.

o The manufacturer or distributor of the non-Saturn part is solely responsible for any parts warranty.

0 Retailer or Saturn Authorized Service Provider is to provide the owner a copy of any written warranty covering the non-Saturn part.

0 Non-Saturn parts used for warranty repair when comparable Saturn parts are available (e.g. top engine cleaner) are NOT eligible for the 30% handling allowance. Saturn will only reimburse Retailers actual cost. Similarly, if the actual cost of a comparable part is more than the Saturn part, Saturn will only reimburse the Retailer for the Saturn cost, unless prior Saturn approval has been obtained.

0 Parts required for warranty repairs which are not sold by Saturn Service Parts Operations (e.g., engine oil, batteries, adhesives) are eligible for the 30% handling allowance.

0 If during a verification review it is determined that the Retailer or Saturn Authorized Service Provider is using non-Saturn parts for warranty repairs when Saturn parts are available, Saturn may charge back the handling allowance and cost of the non-Saturn parts.

Special Note regarding Catalytic Converters

Retailers must use only new genuine Saturn parts when performing catalytic converter replacements under warranty. Retailers who do not use new original equipment (OE) converters when performing warranty replacements may be subject to a penalty of $ 10,000 per vehicle for violating the tampering provision of the Clean Air Act.

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.