Bulletin No.: 14172A
Date: September 2014

Recall Bulletin

PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL
SUBJECT:

Unintended Ignition Key Rotation

MODELS:

2003-2010 Cadillac CTS
2011 Cadillac CTS (VIN D and Built Prior to December 13, 2010)
2004-2006 Cadillac SRX

The Parts Information and Warranty Transaction Information sections have been revised
to allow dealer ordering of the Loctite adhesive and primer and the 3M adhesive, nozzle,
applicator gun and plunger. These products are to be obtained directly from
ExodusDirect. Do not attempt to order from GMCCA. The pre-shipment of parts supplied
by GMCCA will continue until further notice to dealers with involved vehicles. Dealers
will receive cancellations on any order placed for these parts. Please discard all copies
of bulletin 14172.
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.
Vehicles involved in this recall were placed on stop delivery July 2, 2014. Once the
service procedure contained in this bulletin has been performed on the vehicle, the
vehicle is released from stop delivery and the vehicle can be delivered to the customer.
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
General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in all 20032010 model year (MY) Cadillac CTS, 2011 MY Cadillac CTS (VIN D and Built Prior to December
13, 2010) and 2004-2006 MY Cadillac SRX vehicles. If the key ring is carrying added weight
and the vehicle goes off road or experiences some other jarring event, it may unintentionally
move the key away from the “run” position. If this occurs, engine power, power steering and
power braking will be affected, increasing the risk of a crash. If the ignition switch is not in the
run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk
of injury or fatality.

Copyright 2014 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

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September 2014

Bulletin No.: 14172A

CORRECTION
Dealers are to install two 16mm outer diameter key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover
over the key head on all ignition keys.
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 U.S. and Canadian dealers through the GM GlobalConnect Recall Reports,
or sent directly to export dealers. 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
For U.S. and Canada
The pre-shipment of parts supplied by GMCCA will continue until further notice to dealers with
involved vehicles. Parts pre-shipped by GMCCA will be charged to dealer’s open parts account.
Dealers will receive cancellations on any order placed for the related GM part number(s) listed
below until further notice.
The pre-shipment of Loctite adhesive and primer and 3M adhesive, nozzle, applicator gun and
plunger has concluded. Note that the pre-shipment of 3M products involved U.S. dealers only.
Starting September 17, 2014, all dealers may now order these products from ExodusDirect by
calling 844-596-9428 or visiting their website at www.oemhelper.com.
For Export
If the Loctite and 3M products cannot be obtained from ExodusDirect, please try to obtain from
a regional distributor. For the parts supplied by GMCCA, dealers should begin placing their part
orders by contacting GMCCA the week of September 15, 2014, if they have already
determined that the necessary primer and adhesives are available. Orders should be at a
10% level and will be closely monitored.

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September 2014

Bulletin No.: 14172A

For Service Option #1 - Install Two 16mm Key Rings and an Insert in the Key Slot
Part Number
23279477
Obtain From
ExodusDirect

Description
Key Insert (Pack of 4)
Loctite Adhesive 426™

Obtain From
ExodusDirect

Loctite Primer 770™

23247262
or
23232599

Quantity/Vehicle
4
1 tube fixes
approx. 125
vehicles
1 bottle fixes
approx. 250
vehicles

Key Ring (Pack of 4)

4 Rings
(2 Per Key)

Important: Since only a small number of vehicles will require key replacement, dealers are
encouraged not to order service keys for shelf stock. If a service key is required, dealers should
refer to the GM Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC) for service key part number information and order
accordingly from GMCCA.
For Service Option #2 – Install Two 16mm Key Rings and a Cover over the Key Head
Part Number
23279476
Obtain From
ExodusDirect

Description
Key Cover Kit (Includes Two Front and Rear Covers)
3M Scotch – Weld Adhesive
(Acrylic Low Odor Adhesive - DP 8805 NS Green)

Obtain From
ExodusDirect
Obtain From
ExodusDirect

Nozzle for 3M Scotch – Weld Adhesive
Applicator Gun for 3M Scotch – Weld Adhesive

Obtain From
ExodusDirect

Plunger for 3M Scotch – Weld Adhesive

23247262
or
23232599

Key Ring (Pack of 4)

Quantity/Vehicle
1
1 Bottle fixes
approx. 6
vehicles
1 nozzle per
vehicle
N/A
(Usage Unlimited)
N/A
(Usage Unlimited)
4 Rings
(2 Per Key)

Important: Since only a small number of vehicles will require key replacement, dealers are
encouraged not to order service keys for shelf stock. If a service key is required, dealers
should refer to the GM Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC) for service key part number information
and order accordingly from GMCCA.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Note: Carefully read and follow the instructions below.


Use the key insert repair procedure to repair most customer-provided keys.

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September 2014

Bulletin No.: 14172A



Some keys will NOT be able to be repaired using the key insert repair. Use the two piece key
cover kit to repair keys that cannot be repaired using the insert key repair.



GM will release the two piece key cover kit in late September.



In the rare instance that keys cannot be repaired, order new service keys for the customerprovided keys. Do NOT order new service keys unless BOTH repair methods have been
attempted.



The new service keys may have to be modified as instructed in this bulletin.



If the new service key has a slot design for the key ring, it MUST be repaired using the key
insert or two-piece key cover repair.



If the new service key has a round hole or square design for the key ring, no key modification
is required. Install two 16mm key rings as instructed in the service procedure.



If a customer presents additional keys for modification (more than 2 keys), perform the key
insert repair or the two-piece key cover repair and route the warranty transaction for
wholesale authorization.



If a customer presents a valet key for modification, perform the key insert repair only and
route the warranty transaction for wholesale authorization. Do not attempt the two-piece key
cover repair. Valet keys are easily distinguish from standard keys by their gray color and the
word “Valet” imprinted on them. .

Key Insert Repair

3970365

Note: Locate the four key inserts and four 16 mm rings. Two key inserts are required to modify
one key. Two 16mm key rings are required for each key repair.
Note: If the key slot is too small or large for the insert, use the two-piece key cover repair. If the
head of the insert does not cover the entire slot, the key insert repair cannot be used.

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September 2014

Bulletin No.: 14172A

1. Test fit the customer-provided key. Insert a key insert into the front slot of the key and insert
a second key insert into the back slot of the key. Ensure the key insert fits flush into the slot
of both sides of the key.
2. Remove the inserts from the front and back key slots.

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Caution: Do NOT use petroleum-based cleaning products to clean the key or key covers.
3. Clean the head and slot of the keys using a shop towel and isopropyl alcohol.

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4. Clean the key inserts using a shop towel and isopropyl alcohol.
Caution: Allow the primer to dry for 5 minutes BEFORE proceeding to step 7 to ensure the
adhesive will provide a strong bond between the key insert and the slot of the key.
Note: The adhesive for this repair begins to cure quickly. It is essential that both keys are
repaired promptly. Ensure all of the required tools, parts and supplies are on your work bench
BEFORE attempting to apply primer and adhesive to the key slots and key inserts. The following
items should be on the work bench:


Rubber gloves and shop towels



Adhesive



Key inserts

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

Two rings for each key



Spring clamp with rubber ends

September 2014

Bulletin No.: 14172A

3970399

5. Apply the primer to the front and back key slot of the two keys.
6. Apply the primer to the four inserts.

3970372

7. Apply adhesive to the corners (3) of the key slots.
8. Apply adhesive to the post (1) and hole (2) of each insert.

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Bulletin No.: 14172A

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9. Insert a front and back insert to the key slot of each key.
10. Clean the body of the keys with a shop towel.
11. Clean the hole of each key with a shop towel and screwdriver.

3970376

12. Clamp the two key insert to the key slot using a spring clamp with rubber ends.
13. Remove the clamp from the key assembly after allowing the adhesive to dry for 5 minutes.