Bulletin No.: 13158B
Date: October 2013

Recall Bulletin

F/CMVSS NONCOMPLIANCE RECALL
SUBJECT:

Intermittent Brake Lamp Illumination

MODELS:

2013 Cadillac ATS, XTS
2013 Chevrolet Sonic
2014 Chevrolet Impala

This bulletin has been revised to include additional population for the Cadillac ATS, XTS and
Chevrolet Impala. In addition, 2013 Chevrolet Sonic has been added.
Please discard all
copies of bulletin 13158A.
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 certain 2013 model year Cadillac ATS. XTS, and Chevrolet
Sonic vehicles, and 2014 model year Chevrolet Impala vehicles fail to conform to
Federal/Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 for brake lamp illumination. The brake
lamps on these vehicles may intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and cruise
control may disengage. If the brake lamps flash when the vehicle is not slowing, a following
driver may not adjust vehicle speed when the vehicle is in fact braking, resulting in a possible
crash.
CORRECTION
Dealers are to reprogram the body control module.
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
Copyright 2013 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

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Bulletin No.: 13158B

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
No parts are required for this recall.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Do not attempt to order the calibration number from GM Customer Care and Aftersales. The
calibration numbers required for this service procedure are programmed into control modules
via a Multiple Diagnostic Interface (MDI) with the calibration update. When using an MDI for
reprogramming, ensure that it is updated with the latest software version. Use TIS2WEB on or
after October 7, 2013, to obtain the calibration. If you cannot access the calibration, call the
Techline Customer Support Center and it will be provided.
For step-by-step programming instructions, please refer to SI and the Techline Information
System (TIS) terminal.
1. Verify that there is a battery charge of 12 to 15 volts. The battery must be able to maintain
a charge during programming. Only use an approved Midtronics® PSC 550 Battery
Maintainer (SPS Programming Support Tool EL-49642) or equivalent to maintain proper
battery voltage during programming.
Note: Make sure the vehicle ignition switch state is in appropriate position for the following
step.


For Key Ignition System, begin with the ignition in the RUN position.



For Push Button Start System, begin with the vehicle in vehicle ON power mode.

2. Access the Service Programming System (SPS) and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. On the SPS Supported Controllers screen, select BCM Body Control Module Programming and follow the on-screen instructions.
Note: When performing the Tire Pressure Monitor Sensor Learn during BCM setup, the EL46079 tire pressure monitor diagnostic tool must be used to activate each tire pressure sensor
for vehicles with UJM.
4. On the SPS Supported Controllers screen, select BCM Body Control Module - Setup and
follow the on-screen instructions.
5. Check the driver information center display for additional messages regarding further
calibration instructions. If there are no additional driver information center instructions
present, programming is complete.
6. At the end of programming, choose the “Clear All DTCs” function on the SPS screen.

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Bulletin No.: 13158B

Note: If ABS, Traction Control and/or Stabilitrak indicators are ON and DTC C0161 is set in
the electronic brake control module after performing BCM programming and setup, perform
the following steps:
1. Disconnect the scan tool from the data link connector.
2. Ignition OFF, all access doors closed, all vehicle systems OFF, and all keys at least 3
meters away from the vehicle. It may take up to 2 minutes to power down.
3. Ignition ON, verify DTC C0161 is in history. If not, repeat the above step to make sure the
vehicle is in sleep mode.
4. Use the scan tool to clear the DTCs.
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. All transactions should be submitted as a ZFAT
transaction type, unless noted otherwise.
Labor
Code
9100039

Description
Reprogram BCM

Labor
Time
0.5

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.
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.
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

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Bulletin No.: 13158B

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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Bulletin No.: 13158B
June 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 Cadillac ATS, XTS, and Chevrolet Sonic
vehicles, and 2014 model year Chevrolet Impala vehicles fail to conform to Federal/Canada
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 for brake lamp illumination. 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 13158.
Schedule an appointment with your GM dealer.
This service will be performed for you at no charge.

Why is your
vehicle being
recalled?

The brake lamps on your vehicle may intermittently flash without the
brakes being applied and cruise control may disengage. If the
brake lamps flash when your vehicle is not slowing, a driver
following you may not adjust their vehicle speed when you are in
fact braking, resulting in a possible crash.

What will we
do?

Your GM dealer will reprogram the body control module. 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.
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 do?

You should contact your GM dealer to arrange a service
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
Guam
Puerto Rico – English
Puerto Rico – Español
Virgin Islands

1-866-982-2339
1-800-630-2438
1-671-648-8450
1-800-496-9992
1-800-496-9993
1-800-496-9994

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

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Bulletin No.: 13158B

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.
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 #13158