Bulletin No.: 12331A
Date: January 2013

Recall Bulletin

F/CMVSS NONCOMPLIANCE RECALL
SUBJECT:

Steering Column Lock Actuator Gear

MODELS:

2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV and Escalade EXT
2013 Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD,
Suburban and Tahoe
2013 GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon and Yukon XL

This bulletin has been revised to include a copy of the customer letter. Please discard all
copies of bulletin 12331.
Dealers are to inspect all involved inventory vehicles as soon as possible. Do not deliver,
dealer trade, or use the vehicle for demonstration purposes until this recall has been
performed.

CONDITION
General Motors has decided that certain 2013 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV
and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban and
Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon and Yukon XL model vehicles may fail
to conform to Federal/Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 102, Transmission Shift Position
Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect, and Standard 114, Theft
Protection and Rollaway Prevention. These vehicles may have been built with a fractured
park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module
assembly.
With this condition, the driver could shift from Park position with key removed from ignition or
key in OFF position, and there would not be illumination of the PRNDL position. Also, the
transmission can be shifted out of Park without application of the brake pedal while key is in
OFF position. The key may be rotated to OFF position and removed while shifter is not in
Park position, and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting
in a possible crash without prior warning.
CORRECTION
Dealers are to perform an inspection to evaluate the proper function of the shifter, and if
necessary, replace the steering column.
Copyright 2013 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

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January 2013

Bulletin No.: 12331A

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 US 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
follow-up necessary to complete this recall.
PART INFORMATION
Steering column assemblies are to be obtained by sending an email to Nexteer at
[email protected] or [email protected]. Steering columns will be shipped
to dealers at no-charge.
The following is to be included in the email:

-character vehicle identification number (VIN)
Note: All steering column assemblies are to be returned to the Warranty Parts Center.
Please hold all assemblies until you receive the Warranty Parts Return Request form.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Note: All of the following inspection procedure steps must be performed with the engine off
(not running) and Park Brake applied.
1. With the ignition key in the OFF position, attempt to move the shift lever out of P (Park).



If the shift lever cannot be shifted out of P (Park), continue the inspection and proceed
to step 2.
If the vehicle shifts out of P (Park), proceed to step 3.

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January 2013

Bulletin No.: 12331A

2. With the ignition key in the RUN position, brake pedal applied and the shift lever in the D
(Drive) position, attempt to turn the ignition key back to the OFF position and remove the
key.



If the key cannot be rotated fully to the OFF position and cannot be removed, the
inspection is complete. No further action required.
If the key can be rotated to the OFF position and removed, proceed to step 3.

3. Replace the steering column. Refer to the Steering Column Replacement procedure in SI.
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
V2734
V2735
*

Description
Inspect Steering Column – No Further Action Req'd
Inspect & Replace Steering Column

Labor
Time
0.2
1.6

Net
Item
*

Steering column assemblies are being provided to dealers at no-charge. Dealers are to
submit for only the applicable Mark-Up on the assembly.

CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION – For US 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 US National
Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. For owners outside these areas, dealers should notify
customers using the attached sample letter.
DEALER RECALL RESPONSIBILITY – For US and Export (US 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.

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Bulletin No.: 12331A

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.
This bulletin is notice to you that the new motor vehicles included in this recall may not
comply with the standard identified above. Under Title 49, Section 30112 of the United
States Code, it is illegal for a dealer to sell a new motor vehicle which the dealer knows
does not comply with an applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. As a
consequence, if you sell any of these motor vehicles without first performing the recall
correction, your facility may be subject to a civil penalty for each such sale.
DEALER RECALL RESPONSIBILITY - All
All unsold new vehicles in dealer's 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 facility 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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January 2013

Bulletin No.: 12331A
January 2013

Dear General Motors Customer:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and
Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
General Motors has decided that certain 2013 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV
and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban and
Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon and Yukon XL model vehicles may fail
to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 102, Transmission Shift Position
Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect, and Standard 114, Theft
Protection and Rollaway Prevention.
As a result, GM is conducting a recall. We apologize for this inconvenience. However, we are
concerned about your safety and continued satisfaction with our products.





IMPORTANT
Your vehicle is involved in recall 12331.
Schedule an appointment with your GM dealer.
This service will be performed for you at no charge.

Why is your
vehicle being
recalled?

Your vehicle may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or
a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module
assembly. With this condition, you could shift from Park position
with the key removed from ignition or key in the OFF position, and
there would not be illumination of the PRNDL position. Also, the
transmission can be shifted out of Park without application of the
brake pedal while the key is in OFF position. The key may be
rotated to OFF position and removed while the shifter is not in Park
position, and the vehicle could roll away after you have exited the
vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.

What will we
do?

Your GM dealer will perform an inspection to evaluate proper
function of the shifter, and if necessary, replace the steering
column. 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 inspection time
of approximately 15 minutes. If the steering column requires
replacement, an additional 1 hour and 40 minutes will be required.
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.

What should

You should contact your GM dealer to arrange a service

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January 2013

Bulletin No.: 12331A

you do?

appointment as soon as possible.

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

1-800-458-8006
1-800-222-1020
1-800-462-8782
65-6267-1752
1-800-496-9992
1-800-496-9993
1-800-496-9994

Text Telephones
(TTY)
1-800-833-2622
1-800-833-2438
1-888-889-2438

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 13V001.
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 #12331