Bulletin No.: 12292
Date: December 2012

Recall Bulletin

PRODUCT EMISSION RECALL
SUBJECT:

Knock Sensor Wiring Harness Connections Reversed

MODELS:

2013 Chevrolet Malibu
Equipped with 2.5L Engine (LCV)

CONDITION
General Motors has decided to conduct a Voluntary Emission Recall involving certain 2013
Chevrolet Malibu vehicles, equipped with a 2.5L engine (LCV). The wiring harness
connections for the knock sensors may be reversed. This could cause too much or too little
spark advance, causing pre-ignition or reduced engine performance and fuel economy.
CORRECTION
Dealers are to rework the wiring harness.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
All involved vehicles are identified by Vehicle Identification Number on the Investigate Vehicle
History screen in GM Global Warranty Management system. Dealership service personnel
should always check this site to confirm vehicle involvement prior to beginning any required
inspections and/or repairs. It is important to routinely use this tool to verify eligibility because
not all similar vehicles may be involved regardless of description or option content.
For dealers with involved vehicles, a listing with involved vehicles containing the complete
vehicle identification number, customer name, and address information has been prepared
and will be provided to dealers through the GM GlobalConnect Recall Reports. Dealers will
not have a report available if they have no involved vehicles currently assigned.
The listing may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle
Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any purpose other
than follow-up necessary to complete this recall is a violation of law in several
states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this report to the
follow-up necessary to complete this recall.

Copyright 2012 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

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December 2012

Bulletin No.: 12292

PART INFORMATION
No parts are required for this recall.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
1.

Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and
Connection in SI.

2.

Raise and properly support the vehicle.

3.

If the vehicle is equipped with California PZEV (partial zero emission vehicle) emission
(RPO NU6), remove the secondary air injection pump.
3.1 Using a suitable jack stand, support the rear of the powertrain.

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3.2 Loosen the rear transmission mount to bracket through bolt (1).

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3.3 Remove the four rear transmission mount bracket bolts (1).

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Bulletin No.: 12292

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3.4 Remove the rear transmission mount to frame bolts (1, 2), then remove the mount
and bracket from the vehicle.
3.5 Disconnect the secondary air injection feed tube.
3.6 Disconnect the secondary air injection pump inlet hose.
3.7 Disconnect the electrical wiring harness connector.
3.8 Remove the secondary air injection pump mounting bolts.
3.9 Remove the secondary air injection pump from the vehicle.

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4.

Remove the engine wiring harness retainer (1) from the intake manifold.

5.

Disconnect the LH knock sensor connector. For identification purposes, add white marking
tape to the harness just behind the connector body.

6.

Disconnect the RH knock sensor connector.

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December 2012

Bulletin No.: 12292

To provide additional harness length to allow the connector to reach the other sensor,
open the wiring harness by removing tape from the branch of the RH knock sensor, as
necessary. Use a sewing seam ripper, available from sewing supply stores, in order to cut
open the harness in order to avoid wire insulation damage.

Note: The wiring harness lead that was previously connected to the knock sensor 1 (RH) will
now be connected to knock sensor 2 (LH). The lead that previously connected to knock sensor
2 (LH) will now be connected to knock sensor 1 (RH). When the connector swap is completed,
the knock sensor wire colors will be as follows:


Knock Sensor 1 (RH, generator side) – Violet/Gray & Black/Yellow



Knock Sensor 2 (LH, starter side) – White/Gray & Black/Gray

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8.

Connect the electrical connectors to both sensors.

9.

If the vehicle is equipped with California PZEV emission (RPO NU6), reinstall the
secondary air injection pump.
9.1 Install the secondary air injection pump mounting bolts and tighten to 58 Nm (43 lb ft).
9.2 Connect the electrical wiring harness connector.
9.3 Connect the secondary air injection pump inlet hose.
9.4 Connect the secondary air injection feed tube.

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Bulletin No.: 12292

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9.5 Install the four rear transmission mount bracket to transmission bolts (1) and tighten to
100 Nm (74 lb ft).

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9.6 Install the two rear transmission mount to frame bolts (1, 2) and tighten to 110 Nm (81
lb ft).

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Bulletin No.: 12292

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9.7 Tighten the transmission mount to bracket through bolt (1) to 105 Nm (77 lb ft).
9.8 Remove the jack stand.
10. Lower the vehicle.
11. Connect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and
Connection in SI.
12. CALIFORNIA, CONNECTICUT, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, OREGON,
VERMONT, & WASHINGTON VEHICLES ONLY: Install a Recall Identification Label.
Also, for California vehicles complete a “Proof of Correction” certificate upon recall
completion.
RECALL IDENTIFICATION LABEL California/Connecticut/Maryland/Massachusetts/Maine/
Oregon/Vermont/Washington Vehicles Only
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-digit dealer code of the dealer performing the recall service. This
information may be inserted with a ballpoint 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 adhesion of the clear protective covering. Additional Recall
Identification Labels for US dealers can be obtained from Dealer Support
Materials
by
ordering
on
the
web
from
DWD
Store,
www.gmglobalconnect.com, and then click on the DWD Store link.
Request Item Number S-1015 when ordering.

GM
RECALL

12292
COMPLETED
DEALER CODE

ED
99-999

DO NOT REMOVE

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December 2012

Bulletin No.: 12292

COURTESY TRANSPORTATION – For US and Canada
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
Warranties. The availability of courtesy transportation to customers whose vehicles are within
the warranty coverage period and involved in a product program 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.
WARRANTY TRANSACTION INFORMATION
Submit a transaction using the table below.
Labor
Code
V2714

Description
Reverse Knock Sensor Connectors
- Vehicles without California PZEV Emissions (NU6)
- Vehicles with California PZEV Emissions (NU6)

Labor
Time
0.3
0.8

CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
General Motors will notify customers of this recall on their vehicle (see copy of customer letter
included with this bulletin).
In order to ensure full protection under the emission warranty, and the right to participate in
future recalls, the customer notification letter recommends that customers have their vehicles
serviced as soon as possible. It also advises that failure to do so could legally be determined
to be lack of proper maintenance. The vehicle may fail a state or local emission inspection test
if the recall work is not completed.
DEALER RECALL RESPONSIBILITY
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, 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. A copy of the customer letter is provided in this bulletin
for your use in contacting customers. 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 in the future, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the
recall correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

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Bulletin No.: 12292

***THE FOLLOWING 2 PARAGRAPHS ARE NOT FOR CANADA OR EXPORT***
When a California emissions recall is completed by a GM dealer, the dealer must provide the
vehicle owner a “Proof of Correction Certificate” which the owner may need to present to the
California Department Of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when renewing their vehicle registration.
Without this correction certificate, the owner may be unable to renew their vehicle registration.
Additional Certificates can be obtained, at no charge, from Dealer Support Materials by
ordering on the web from the DWD Store, www.gmdealerworld.com, and then click on the
DWD Store link; request GM Item Number 1825 when ordering.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these 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 tools,
equipment, 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 your dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

We Support
Voluntary Technician
Certification

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December 2012

Bulletin No.: 12292
January 2013

Dear General Motors Customer:
This notice is sent to inform you that General Motors is conducting a voluntary emission recall
that includes your vehicle.
Reason For This Recall: The wiring harness connections for the knock sensors may be
reversed. This could cause too much or too little spark advance, causing pre-ignition or
reduced engine performance and fuel economy.
What Will Be Done: Your GM dealer will rework the wiring harness to correct this condition.
This service will be performed for you at no charge.
What You Should Do: Please contact your GM dealer as soon as possible to arrange a
service date. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer. Please
ask your dealer if you wish to know how much time will be needed to schedule, process, and
repair your vehicle.
If you have any questions or need any assistance, just contact your dealer or the appropriate
Customer Assistance Center at the number listed below.
Division

Number

Chevrolet
Guam
Puerto Rico – English
Puerto Rico – Español
Virgin Islands

1-800-222-1020
65-6267-1752
1-800-496-9992
1-800-496-9993
1-800-496-9994

Text Telephones
(TTY)
1-800-833-2438

Courtesy Transportation: 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 Manual and
your dealer for details on Courtesy Transportation.
Emission Law Information: In order to ensure your full protection under the emission
warranty made applicable to your vehicle by state and federal law, and your right to participate
in future recalls, it is recommended that you have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
Failure to do so could legally be determined to be lack of proper maintenance of your vehicle.
Also, your vehicle may fail a state or local emission inspection if this recall is not
accomplished.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) requires vehicle emission recalls be completed
prior to California registration renewal. Uncorrected emission recalls will result in the inability
to renew your California vehicle registration.
At the time of emission recall completion, your California dealer will issue a "Proof of
Correction Certificate". Keep this certificate and, if required, present it to the Department of
Motor Vehicles when renewing your California registration as proof of recall completion.

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December 2012

Bulletin No.: 12292

We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the
interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.
Jim Moloney
General Director,
Customer and Relationship Services
12292