Bulletin No.: 14139
Date: September 2014

Recall Bulletin

PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL
SUBJECT:

Driver's Airbag Module

MODELS:

2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe

It is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle or any new or
used item of motor vehicle equipment (including a tire) covered by this notification under
a sale or lease until the defect or noncompliance is remedied.
All involved vehicles that are in dealer inventory must be held and not delivered to
customers, dealer traded, or used for demonstration purposes until the repair contained
in this bulletin has been performed on the vehicle.
CONDITION
Toyota has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 20092010 model year Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The Pontiac Vibe was manufactured by New United
Motor Manufacturing (NUMMI), a joint venture between Toyota and GM.
These vehicles have a condition in which the steering column assembly in the vehicle contains
a spiral cable assembly with electrical connections to the driver’s air bag module that could
become damaged when the steering wheel is turned. If this occurs, the air bag readiness lamp
will illuminate. In addition, the driver’s air bag could become deactivated, causing it to not deploy
in the event of a crash. This could increase the risk of injury to the driver in certain types of
crashes.
CORRECTION
Dealers are to replace the SIR coil assembly.
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
Copyright 2014 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

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Bulletin No.: 14139

will be provided to U.S. and Canadian 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 followup necessary to complete this recall.
PART INFORMATION
Parts required to complete this recall are to be obtained from General Motors Customer Care
and Aftersales (GMCCA). Please refer to your “involved vehicles listing” before ordering parts.
Normal orders should be placed on a DRO = Daily Replenishment Order. In an emergency
situation, parts should be ordered on a CSO = Customer Special Order.
Part Number
19205599

Description
Coil Kit-SIR Module
(Includes SIR Coil Assembly and Small Grease Packet)

Quantity/Vehicle
1

SERVICE PROCEDURE

3946765

Note: when removing the upper and lower steering column trim covers, use care to fully
release all of the attachments. Do not force the clips, they will break off of the trim.
1. Remove the steering wheel air bag coil. Refer to Steering Wheel Airbag Coil
Replacement in SI. Discard the coil, it is not re-usable.

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Bulletin No.: 14139

3946766

2. Apply the supplied grease to the two notches on the SIR coil as shown. Only use the
supplied grease, do not substitute another lubricant.

3946767

Note: DO NOT break off the lock pin until the steering wheel is installed.
Otherwise, the center position of a new spiral cable will be misaligned.
Ensure the pin is flush with the housing after it is snapped off.

3946768

If the pin is not flush, push the pin into the housing.
3. Install the new steering wheel air bag coil. Refer to Steering Wheel Airbag Coil
Replacement in SI.

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Bulletin No.: 14139

4. Ensure all of the column trim clips are fully engaged.
CUSTOMER REIMBURSEMENT - For U.S.
Customer requests for reimbursement of previously paid repairs for the recall condition are to
be submitted to the dealer by September 30, 2015, unless otherwise specified by state law. If
this is not convenient for the customer, they may mail the completed Customer Reimbursement
Request Form and all required documents to the GM Customer Assistance Center.
All reasonable and customary costs to correct the condition described in this bulletin
should be considered for reimbursement. Any questions or concerns should be reviewed
with your GM representative prior to processing the request.
When a customer requests reimbursement, they must provide the following:




A completed Customer Reimbursement Request Form. This form is mailed to the
customer or can be obtained through GM GlobalConnect.
The name and address of the person who paid for the repair.
Paid receipt confirming the amount of the repair expense, a description of the repair, and
the person or entity performing the repair.

IMPORTANT: GM requires dealers to approve or deny a reimbursement request within 30 days
of receipt. If a reimbursement request is approved, the dealer should immediately issue a check
to the customer and submit an appropriate warranty transaction for the incurred expense. If a
reimbursement request is denied, the dealer MUST provide the customer with a clear and
concise explanation, in writing, as to why the request was denied. The bottom portion of the
Customer Reimbursement Request Form may be used for this purpose. If the denial was due
to missing documents, the customer can resubmit the request when the missing documents are
obtained, as long as it is still within the allowed reimbursement period.
Warranty transactions for customer reimbursement of previously paid repairs are to be submitted
as required by GM Global Warranty Management. Additional information can also be found in
Warranty Administration Bulletin 11-00-89-004.
CUSTOMER REIMBURSEMENT - For Canada
Customer requests for reimbursement of previously paid repairs to correct the condition
described in this bulletin are to be submitted to the dealer prior to or by September 30, 2015.
When a customer requests reimbursement, they must provide the following:
-

Proof of ownership at time of repair.
Original paid receipt confirming the amount of unreimbursed repair expense(s) (including
Service Contract deductibles), a description of the repair, and the person or entity
performing the repair.

All reasonable and customary costs to correct the condition described in this bulletin should be
considered for reimbursement. Any questions or concerns should be reviewed with your GM
representative prior to processing the request.

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Bulletin No.: 14139

COURTESY TRANSPORTATION – For U.S. 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. All transactions should be submitted as a ZFAT
transaction type, unless noted otherwise.
Note: To avoid having to "H" route the customer reimbursement transaction for approval, it must
be submitted prior to the repair transaction.
Labor
Code
9100815
9100869
9100870

Description
Replace SIR Coil Assembly and Service Grease
Customer Reimbursement Approved
Customer Reimbursement Denied - For US dealers only

Labor
Time
0.5
0.2
0.1

Net
Item
N/A
*
N/A

Note: Customer reimbursement will not close this recall. The service procedure must also be
performed on the vehicle.
*

The amount identified in “Net Item” should represent the dollar amount reimbursed to the
customer.

CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION – For U.S. and Canada
General Motors will notify customers of this recall on their vehicle (see copy of customer letter
included with this bulletin).
DEALER RECALL RESPONSIBILITY – For U.S. States, Territories, and Possessions
It is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle or any new or used item
of motor vehicle equipment (including a tire) covered by this notification under a sale or lease
until the defect or noncompliance is remedied.
The US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act provides that each vehicle that is subject
to a recall 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 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. In the recall notification letters, customers are told how to contact the US
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration if the recall is not completed within a reasonable
time.

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Bulletin No.: 14139

DEALER RECALL RESPONSIBILITY – All
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.

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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Bulletin No.: 14139

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL
September 2014
Dear General Motors Customer:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Toyota has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 20092010 model year Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The Pontiac Vibe was manufactured by New United
Motor Manufacturing (NUMMI), a joint venture between Toyota and GM. As a result, GM is
conducting a safety recall. We apologize for this inconvenience. However, we are concerned
about your safety and continued satisfaction with our products.
IMPORTANT
 This notice applies to your vehicle.
 Your vehicle is involved in GM safety recall 14139
 Schedule an appointment with your GM dealer.
 This service will be performed for you at no charge.
Why is your
vehicle being
recalled?

These vehicles have a condition in which the steering column
assembly in the vehicle contains a spiral cable assembly with
electrical connections to the driver’s air bag module that could
become damaged when the steering wheel is turned. If this occurs,
the air bag readiness lamp will illuminate. In addition, the driver’s air
bag could become deactivated, causing it to not deploy in the event
of a crash. This could increase the risk of injury to the driver in
certain types of crashes.

What will we
do?

Your GM dealer will replace the spiral cable assembly on your
vehicle. This service will be performed for you at no charge.
Because of service scheduling requirements, it is likely that your
dealer will need your vehicle longer than the actual service
correction time of approximately 30 minutes.

What should
you do?

You should contact your GM dealer to arrange a service
appointment as soon as possible.
Until your vehicle can be repaired, please pay close attention to the
air bag readiness light. The air bag readiness light is designed to
come on during the ignition cycle check function when the engine
switch is turned to the “ON” position. The light then goes off after
about six seconds. This means the system is operating as
designed. If the air bag readiness light (1) illuminates or remains
illuminated after this six second check period, or (2) comes on while
driving, or (3) at times previously stayed illuminated while driving,
please contact your GM dealer immediately for diagnosis and
appropriate repair. If the condition is related to this recall, the repair
will be performed at no charge.

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Bulletin No.: 14139

3902383

Did you already
pay for this
repair?

Even though you may have already had repairs for this condition,
you will still need to take your vehicle to your dealer for additional
repairs. If you have paid for repairs for the recall condition, please
complete the enclosed reimbursement form and present it to your
dealer with all required documents. Working with your dealer will
expedite your request, however, if this is not convenient, you may
mail the completed reimbursement form and all required documents
to Reimbursement Department, PO Box 33170, Detroit, MI 482325170. The completed reimbursement form and required documents
must be presented to your dealer or received by the Reimbursement
Department by September 30, 2015, unless state law specifies a
longer reimbursement period.

Do you have
questions?

If you have questions or concerns that your dealer is unable to
resolve, please contact the appropriate Customer Assistance Center
at the number listed below.
Division

Number

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

1-800-762-2737
65-6267-1752
1-800-496-9992
1-800-496-9993
1-800-496-9994

Text Telephones
(TTY)
1-800-833-7668

If after contacting your dealer and the Customer Assistance Center, you are still not satisfied
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, 1200
New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590, or call the toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at
1.888.327.4236 (TTY 1.800.424.9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov. The National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration Campaign ID Number for this recall is 14V168.
Federal regulation requires that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a
copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days.
Jim Moloney
General Director,
Customer and Relationship Services
Enclosure
GM Recall Number: 14139