File in Section:
Bulletin No.:

Service Bulletin

Date:

00 - General Information
10-00-89-010B
November, 2012

INFORMATION
Subject:

Key Code Security Rules and Information on GM KeyCode Look-Up Application
(Canada Only)

Models:

2013 and Prior GM Passenger Cars and Trucks

Attention: This bulletin has been created to address potential issues and questions regarding
KeyCode security. This bulletin should be read by all parties involved in KeyCode
activity, including dealer operator, partner security coordinator, sales, service and
parts departments. A copy of this bulletin should be printed and maintained in the
parts department for use as a reference.
This bulletin is being revised to add the 2013 model year and update the dealer
support phone number. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 10-00-89-010A
(Section 00 – General Information).

Important: U.S. dealers should refer to the latest
version of Corporate Bulletin Number 10-00-89-009.

Where Are Key Codes Located?
General Motors provides access to KeyCodes through
three sources when a vehicle is delivered to a dealer.
Vehicle KeyCodes are located on the original vehicle
invoice to the dealership. There is a small white bar
coded tag sent with most new vehicles that also has the
key code printed on it. Dealerships should make a
practice of comparing the tag's keycode numbers to the
keycode listed on the invoice. Any discrepancy should
be reported immediately to the GM of Canada Dealer
Systems Support at 1-800-265-0573. Remember to
remove the key tag prior to showing vehicles to
potential customers. The third source for Key codes is
through the GM KeyCode Look-Up feature within the
OEConnection D2DLink application. KeyCode Look-Up
currently goes back 17 previous model years from the
current model year.
When a vehicle is received by the dealership, care
should be taken to safeguard the original vehicle
invoice and KeyCode tag provided with the vehicle.
Potential customers should not have access to the
invoice or this KeyCode tag prior to the sale being
completed. After a sale has been completed, the
KeyCode information belongs to the customer and
General Motors.
Tip: Only the original invoice contains key code
information, a re-printed invoice does not.

Copyright 2012 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

GM KeyCode Look-Up Application for
GM of Canada Dealers
All dealers should review the General Motors of
Canada KeyCode Look-Up Policies and Procedures
(Service Policy & Procedures Manual Section 3.2.5
"Replacement of VIN Plates & Labels & Keys").
Please note that the KeyCode Access site is restricted.
Only authorized users should be using this application.
Please see your Parts Manager for site authorized
users. KeyCode Look-Up currently goes back 17 years
from current model year.
Important notes about security:
• Users may not access the system from multiple
computers simultaneously.
• Users may only request one KeyCode at a time.
• KeyCode information will only be available on the
screen for 2 minutes.
• Each user is personally responsible for
maintaining and protecting their password.
• Never share your password with others.
• User Id's are suspended after 6 consecutive failed
attempts.
• User Id's are disabled if not used for 90 days.
• Processes must be in place for regular dealership
reviews.

Page 2

November, 2012

•

The Parts Manager (or assigned management)
must have processes in place for employee
termination or life change events. Upon
termination individuals access must be turned off
immediately and access should be re-evaluated
upon any position changes within the dealership.
• If you think your password or ID security has been
breached, contact Dealer Systems Support at
1-800-265-0573.
Each user will be required to accept the following
agreement each time the KeyCode application is used.

Key Code User Agreement
•

Key codes are proprietary information belonging
to General Motors Corporation and to the vehicle
owner.
• Unauthorized access to, or use of, key code
information is unlawful and may subject the user
to criminal and civil penalties.
• This information should be treated as strictly
confidential and should not be disclosed to
anyone unless authorized.
I will ensure that the following information is obtained
prior to releasing any Key Code information:
1. Government issued picture ID (Drivers License)
2. Registration or other proof of ownership.
Registration should have normal markings from the
Province that issued the registration and possibly
the receipt for payment recorded as well.
Important:
• GM takes this agreement seriously. Each user
must be certain of vehicle ownership before giving
out key codes.
• When the ownership of the vehicle is in doubt,
dealership personnel should not provide the
information.
• Key code requests should never be received via a
fax or the internet and key codes should never be
provided to anyone in this manner. A face to face
contact with the owner of the vehicle is the
expected manner that dealers will use to release a
key code or as otherwise stipulated in this bulletin
or other materials.
• Key codes should NEVER be sent via a fax or the
internet.
• Each Dealership should create a permanent file to
document all KeyCode Look Up transactions.
Requests should be filed by VIN and in each
folder retain copies of the following:
– Government issued picture ID (Drivers License)
– Registration or other proof of ownership.
– Copy of the paid customer receipt which has the
name of the employee who cut and sold the key
to the customer.
• Do not put yourself or your Dealership in the
position of needing to "explain" a KeyCode Look
Up to either GM or law enforcement officials.

•
•

Bulletin No.: 10-00-89-010B

Dealership Management has the ability to review
all KeyCode Look-Up transactions.
Dealership KeyCode documentation must be
retained for two years.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for
GM of Canada Dealers
How do I request a KeyCode for customer owned
vehicle that is not registered?
Scrapped, salvaged or stored vehicles that do not have
a current registration should still have the ownership
verified by requesting the vehicle title, current
insurance policy and / or current lien holder information
from the customers financing source. If you cannot
determine if the customer is the owner of the vehicle,
do not provide the key code information. In these
cases, a short description of the vehicle (scrapped,
salvaged, etc.) and the dealership location should be
kept on file. Any clarifying explanation should be
entered into the comments field.
How do I document a KeyCode request for a vehicle
that is being repossessed?
The repossessor must document ownership of the
vehicle by providing a court ordered repossession order
and lien-holder documents prior to providing key code
information. Copies of the repossessors Drivers
License and a business card should be retained by the
dealership for documentation.
What do I do if the registration information is locked
in the vehicle?
Every effort should be made to obtain complete
information for each request. Each Dealership will have
to decide on a case by case basis if enough information
is available to verify the customer’s ownership of the
vehicle. Other forms of documentation include vehicle
title, insurance policy, and or current lien information
from the customers financing source. Dealership
Management must be involved in any request without
complete information. If you cannot determine if the
customer is the owner of the vehicle, do not provide the
key code information.
Can I get a print out of the information on the
screen?
It is important to note that the Key Code Look Up
Search Results contain sensitive and/or proprietary
information. For this reason GM recommends against
printing it. If the Search Results must be printed, store
and/or dispose of the printed copy properly to minimize
the risk of improper or illegal use.
Who in the dealership has access to the KeyCode
application?
Dealership Parts Manager (or assigned management)
will determine, and control, who is authorized to access
the KeyCode Look Up application. However, we
anticipate that dealership parts and service
management will be the primary users of the
application. The KeyCode Look Up application
automatically tracks each user activity session.

Bulletin No.: 10-00-89-010B

November, 2012

Information tracked by the system includes: User
name, User ID, all other entered data and the date/time
of access.
What if I input the VIN incorrectly?
If an incorrect VIN is entered into the system (meaning
that the system does not recognize the VIN or that the
VIN has been entered incorrectly) the system will return
an error message.
If I am an authorized user for the KeyCode
application, can I access the application
from home?
Yes.
What if I suspect key code misuse?
Your dealership should communicate the proper
procedures for requesting key codes. Any suspicious
activity either within the dealership or externally should
be reported to Dealer Systems Support at
1-800-265-0573.
Whose key codes can I access through the system?
At this time the following Canadian vehicle codes are
available through the system: Chevrolet, Cadillac,
Buick, Pontiac, GMC, HUMMER (H2 and H3 only),
Oldsmobile, Saturn, Saab and Isuzu (up to 2002 model
year) for a maximum of 17 model years.
What should I do if I enter a valid VIN and the
system does not produce any key code
information?
Occasionally, the KeyCode Look Up application may
not produce a key code for a valid VIN. This may be the
result of new vehicle information not yet available. In
addition, older vehicle information may have been sent
to an archive status. If you do not receive a key code
returned for valid VIN, you should contact GM of
Canada Dealer Systems Support at 1-800-265-0573.
How do I access KeyCodes if the KeyCode Look-up
system is down?
If the KeyCode Look-up system is temporarily
unavailable, you can contact the original selling dealer
who may have it on file or contact GM of Canada
Dealer Systems Support at 1-800-265-0573. If the
customer is dealing with an emergency lock-out
situation, you need to have the customer contact
Roadside assistance, OnStar® if subscribed, or 911.

Page 3

What should I do if the KeyCode from the look-up
system does not work on the vehicle?
On occasion a dealer may encounter a KeyCode that
will not work on the vehicle in question. In cases where
the KeyCode won’t work you will need to verify with the
manufacturer of the cutting equipment that the key has
been cut correctly. If the key has been cut correctly you
may be able to verify the proper KeyCode was given
through the original selling dealer. When unable to
verify the KeyCode through the original selling dealer
contact GM of Canada Dealer Systems Support at
1-800-265-0573. If the key has been cut correctly and
the code given does not work, the lock cylinder may
have been changed. In these situations following the
proper SI document for recoding a key or replacing the
lock cylinder may be necessary.
Important: Dealers are required to notify the GM of
Canada Dealer Systems Support at 1-800-265-0573
any time a key code changes due to lock cylinder
replacement or recoding.
How long do I have to keep KeyCode Records?
Dealership KeyCode documentation must be retained
for two years.
Can I get a KeyCode changed in the Look-Up
system?
Yes, KeyCodes can be changed in the Look-Up system
if a lock cylinder has been changed. Contact GM of
Canada Dealer Systems Support at 1-800-265-0573.
What information do I need before I can provide a
driver of a company fleet vehicle Keys or KeyCode
information?
The dealership should have a copy of the individual’s
driver’s license, proof of employment and registration. If
there is any question as to the customer’s employment
by the fleet company, the dealer should attempt to
contact the fleet company for verification. If there is not
enough information to determine ownership and
employment, this information should not be provided.
How do I document a request from an Independent
Repair facility for a KeyCode or Key?
The independent must provide a copy of their driver’s
license, proof of employment and signed copy of the
repair order for that repair facility. The repair order must
include customer’s name, address, VIN, city, province
and license plate number. Copies of this information
must be included in your dealer KeyCode file.

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 equipment, tools, 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 GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.

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