File in Section:

Service Bulletin

Bulletin No.:
Date:

08 - Body and Accessories
10-08-64-002B
November, 2012

WARRANTY ADMINISTRATION
Subject:

Warranty Claims Submission – Outside Rear View Mirrors

Models:

2013 and Prior GM Passenger Cars and Light Duty Trucks

This bulletin is being revised to add the 2013 model year. Please discard Corporate Bulletin
Number 10-08-64-002A.

Warranty Submission Guidelines for
Outside Rearview Mirrors
When submitting outside rearview mirrors for
replacement under warranty, please be aware of the
following statement as printed in the General Motor
New Vehicle Warranty.
“Lights, lenses, mirrors, paint, grill, moldings and
trim are not covered for cracks, chips, scratches,
dents, dings and punctures or tears as a result of
impact with other objects or road hazards.”
Warrantable vs Non-Warrantable Conditions
Outside rearview mirrors are one of the only
electro-mechanical items that reside on the exterior of a
vehicle. This increased functionality and necessary
mounting location exposes these components to both
the environment and the possibility of physical damage
from road hazards. Impact damage is not always
readily apparent, or may result in a judgement call on
your part when assisting the customer. This bulletin has
been created to assist in identifying customer use that
should be considered a warrantable condition, as well
as outline conditions that are not acceptable.
Outside rearview mirrors are covered for any
manufacturing defect both in function and finish. The
presence of minor stone chips, bug mark staining, etc.
should not preclude mirror replacement for functional
concerns. Replacement for finish stone chips, marks,
and scratches will not be allowed. Finish fading,
chrome flaking/peeling, or delamination NOT as a result
of road hazards or impacts should be allowed.
Important: Mirrors with textured patterns or
intentionally flat finishes should not be polished with car
wax. (Only glossy painted and chrome mirrors may be
polished) These products may create inconsistent
areas that are glossy in appearance or become trapped
in textured finishes resulting in a chalky appearance.
Mirrors should NOT be replaced for wax build-up.
Customers may be able to remove caked wax with
soap and water and a soft bristle brush.

Copyright 2012 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Examples of Exterior Mirror Damage
The following are examples of various external damage
impacts that are not eligible for warranty replacement.
Distortion of the Mirror Arm

2533960

Located close to the hinge point of the mirror (1), this
impact has distorted the arm of the mirror. Beyond
appearance issues, this type of impact may damage
the mirror hinge, create a loose mirror subject to
vibration or damage internal components depending on
the speed at which the impact occurred.

Page 2

November, 2012

Bulletin No.: 10-08-64-002B

Firm Contact While the Mirror is Folded

Mirror Housing Cracked On Edge

2534004

This type of damage is the result of an impact while
driving in reverse or contact with another object pulling
past a stationary vehicle. This type of damage is not
warrantable.
Light Scrape with Paint Deposit on Mirror Shell

2534005

The damage on this mirror occurred while the mirror
was already folded in. The scuff on the back side of the
shell has deep scratches indicating firm contact. The
lower arrow in the photograph identifies a chip in the
paint on a surface that is only exposed when the mirror
is folded in. This type of damage is not warrantable and
may cause internal damage to the mirror as described
in the next section.

Internal Component Damage from
Impacts
The following are examples of internal damage
resulting from impacts that have severely deflected the
exterior housing.
Broken Housing Attachment Bosses

2534006

This mirror has been lightly contacted and shows a
transference of paint that is on top of the mirror finish.
This mirror is not warrantable for the finish damage, but
could be claimed for any mechanical issues, as the
housing has not been damaged nor has any deflection
occurred.
The white paint on the surface of this mirror could
be removed by the customer using most any
automotive cleaner wax as long as care is taken not
to get wax on the lower textured surface of the
mirror.

2534011

Bulletin No.: 10-08-64-002B

November, 2012

Page 3

Other Concerns With Exterior Mirrors

2716548

The mirror pictured was impacted with enough force to
crack the attachment point where the shell is secured to
the mirror assembly. This type of internal damage is not
warrantable if there is any evidence the housing has
been hit.
Glass Sheared Off the Actuator

While the primary focus of this information is to properly
identify impact damage, other types of physical and
finish concerns should be considered as
non-warrantable.
• Instant Car Wash Damage: This is typically
physical damage to the housing, mount or hinge
resulting from the physical action of out of
adjustment or poorly maintained car wash
systems. If the mirror is broken, examine any
sharp edges for remnants of car wash brush
material.
• Progressive Car Wash Damage: Characterized
by significant dulling and/or very fine scratches on
the farthest reaching points of the mirror shell.
This is a finish concern caused by frequent
automatic car washes using aggressive or soiled
brush materials. This abrasive action wears down
the finish on the ends of the mirrors.
• Discoloration of the Mirror Glass in a Shape /
Cracked Glass: Sometimes identifiable by glue
residue left on the mirror glass. This type of
damage may be caused by stick-on aftermarket
convex mirrors. The glue may harden and remain
on the glass or darken the glass. A cracked mirror
glass with glue remnants may be from prying on
the glass surface with a screwdriver to remove a
no longer wanted stick-on mirror (Not Applicable
to HHR or any models with factory installed Spot
mirrors).

Warranty Transaction Submittal and
Accompanying Returned Parts
Guidelines
It is vital whenever outside rear view mirrors are
replaced under warranty to be thorough and complete
when identifying the reason for the replacement.
Complete information will both assist General Motors in
quickly identifying trends in consumer concerns and
substantiate the mirror replacements subsequent
charge to warranty.

Warranty Debits
•

2533957

In this example, the housing of the mirror has deflected
/ deformed enough during an impact that the glass has
been separated from the actuator. This type of
condition is more difficult to identify, as an impact with a
softer object such as a smooth tree trunk may not leave
a witness mark in all cases. This type of damage
should not be warranted.

•

If parts are requested for review by General
Motors, please be sure to package the parts
securely. It is not always possible during analyses
to differentiate physical damage sustained during
shipping, from impact damage that may have
been present on the vehicle. This type of situation
may result in a debit.
Mirrors judged to have required replacement due
to road hazard or customer abuse will result in a
debit.

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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