Bulletin No.: 14497A
Date: September 2014

Recall Bulletin

PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL
SUBJECT:

Unintended Ignition Key Rotation

MODELS:

2011-2014 Cadillac CTS (VIN D and Built After December 12, 2010)
Equipped with Traditional Key Ignition

The Parts Information section has been revised. The parts pre-shipment for the U.S. and
Canada has concluded. Dealers may now order following normal ordering practices.
Note that GM is mailing a key ring kit and installation instructions to each customer of
record with their recall notification letter who currently are located in the U.S. and Canada.
Please take this into consideration before ordering additional parts for shelf stock. A
copy of the customer notification letter and instruction sheet have also been added.
Please discard all copies of bulletin 14497.
Vehicles involved in this recall were previously loaded into IVH under safety recall 14172. Since
we now have a repair for certain 2011 CTS vehicles (built after December 12, 2010) and all
2012-2014 CTS vehicles, they have been transferred to this safety recall. The 2003-2010 and
certain 2011 CTS vehicles (built prior to December 13, 2010) and the 2004-2006 SRX vehicles,
however, will remain in safety recall 14172 because they will have a different repair that is not
available at this time. Please ensure that you check IVH for vehicle eligibility and that the vehicle
key has a round hole and not a slot before proceeding with this repair. An initial supply of the
parts required to complete this recall are being pre-shipped to involved dealers of record.
Dealers will receive a cancellation on any order placed for the related part number until further
notice. When the pre-shipment activity concludes, the parts will become available for dealer
ordering.
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.

Copyright 2014 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

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September 2014

Bulletin No.: 14497A

CONDITION
General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain
2011-2014 model year Cadillac CTS vehicles. If the key ring is carrying added weight and the
vehicle goes off road or experiences some other jarring event, or if the driver unintentionally
bumps the key ring or items attached to the key ring with their knee, the key may unintentionally
move away from the “run” position. If this occurs, engine power, power steering and power
braking may be affected, increasing the risk of a crash. The timing of the key movement out of
the “run” position, relative to the activation of the sensing algorithm of the crash event, may result
in the airbags not deploying, increasing the potential for occupant injury in certain kinds of
crashes.
Customers should remove all items from their key rings, including the key fob, leaving only the
ignition key. In addition it is very important that drivers adjust their seat and steering column to
allow clearance between their knee and the ignition key.
CORRECTION
Dealers or vehicle owners are to add two key rings to the vehicle 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.

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September 2014

Bulletin No.: 14497A

PART INFORMATION
For the U.S. and Canada, the pre-shipment of this part has concluded. Dealers may now order
following normal ordering practices.
Parts required to complete this recall are to be obtained from General Motors Customer Care
and Aftersales (GMCCA). Before ordering parts, please refer to your “involved vehicles listing”
and note that GM is mailing a key ring kit and installation instructions to each customer of record
with their recall notification letter who currently are located in the U.S. and Canada. Please take
this into consideration before ordering additional parts for shelf stock.
Export customers may place orders as necessary. Orders will be reviewed prior to fulfillment.
Part Number
23271934

Description
Key Ring Kit
(Kit Contains Two 16 mm and Two 18 mm Key Rings)

Quantity/Vehicle
1

SERVICE PROCEDURE
Note: Before proceeding with this service procedure, make sure the vehicle key has a round
hole and not a slot. This procedure applies only to round holed vehicle keys. Performing it on
a slotted vehicle key will not correct the recall condition.
1. Remove the ignition key and FOB from the original key ring(s).
2. Discard the original key ring(s).
3. Install one 16 mm key ring (A) on the ignition key.
4. Install one 18 mm key ring (B) onto the key FOB.

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5. Attach the 16 mm key (A) ring to the 18 mm (B) key ring. Refer to the photograph to view
the correct key ring assembly.

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September 2014

Bulletin No.: 14497A

FLOOR PLAN REIMBURSEMENT
Dealers in possession of vehicles included in the Stop Delivery are eligible for reimbursement of
floor plan expense upon completion of this recall. This reimbursement is limited to the number
of days from the Stop Delivery message to receipt of the recall parts and/or repair procedures.
Floor plan reimbursement beyond these dates is not allowed. The amount of reimbursement
should be charged as a net amount expense using the recall labor operation provided.
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 floor plan transaction for approval, it must be submitted
prior to the repair transaction.
Labor
Code
9100802
9100803
*

Labor
Time
0.2
N/A

Description
Key Ring Kit Installation
Floor Plan Reimbursement

Net
Item
N/A
*

The amount identified in “Net Item” should represent the product of the vehicle’s average
daily interest rate (see table below) multiplied by the actual number of days the vehicle was
in dealer inventory and not available for sale. This reimbursement is limited to the number
of days from the date of the stop delivery message (July 2, 2014) to the date the repair is
completed and the vehicle is ready for sale (not to exceed 40 days):
Vehicle

US
Reimbursement Amount

Canadian
Reimbursement Amount

2013 CTS

$ 5.98

$ 7.57

2014 CTS

$ 9.33

$ 7.57

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).
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION – For Export
Letters will be sent to known owners of record located within areas covered by the U.S. National
Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. For owners outside these areas, dealers should notify
customers using the attached sample letter.

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September 2014

Bulletin No.: 14497A

DEALER RECALL RESPONSIBILITY – For U.S. and Export (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 U.S. 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 U.S.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration if the recall is not completed within a reasonable
time.
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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September 2014

Bulletin No.: 14497A

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.
General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain
2011-2014 model year Cadillac CTS vehicles. 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 14497.
Schedule an appointment with your Cadillac dealer.
This service will be performed for you at no charge.

Why is your
vehicle being
recalled?

If your key ring is carrying added weight and the vehicle goes off
road or experiences some other jarring event, or if you
unintentionally bump the key ring or items attached to the key ring
with your knee, the key may unintentionally move away from the
“run” position. If this occurs, engine power, power steering and
power braking may be affected, increasing the risk of a crash. The
timing of the key movement out of the “run” position, relative to the
activation of the sensing algorithm of the crash event, may result in
the airbags not deploying, increasing the potential for occupant
injury in certain kinds of crashes.

What will we
do?

Since the installation of the key rings can be performed easily, and
to reduce your inconvenience, we have included the key rings and
installation instructions with this letter. If you desire, however, your
dealer will install the key rings at no charge.
Your Cadillac dealer will add two key rings to the vehicle keys. 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 15 minutes.

What should
you do?

If you install the key rings yourself, please complete the enclosed
prepaid response form and return it to us in the mail. We will close
the recall on your vehicle.
If you would like your dealer to install the key rings, you should
contact your Cadillac dealer to arrange a service appointment as
soon as possible.

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September 2014

Bulletin No.: 14497A

Until your vehicle is serviced, you should remove all items from
all of the vehicle's key rings, including the key fob, leaving only
the ignition key. In addition it is very important that drivers
adjust their seat and steering column to allow clearance
between their knee and the ignition key.
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

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

1-800-458-8006
65-6267-1752
1-800-496-9992
1-800-496-9993
1-800-496-9994

Text Telephones
(TTY)
1-800-833-2622

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 14V394.
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

GM Recall Number: 14497

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September 2014

Bulletin No.: 14497A

Key Ring Installation Instructions
(Kit contains key rings for two sets of keys)

1. Remove the ignition key and remote keyless entry (RKE) transmitter from the original key
ring(s).
2. Discard the original key ring(s).
3. Install one of the enclosed smaller key rings (A) on the ignition key.
4. Install one of the enclosed larger key rings (B) onto the RKE transmitter.

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5. Attach the smaller key ring (A) to the larger key ring (B). Refer to the photograph to view
the correct key ring assembly.
6. Repeat this procedure on your second ignition key and RKE transmitter.