Bulletin No.: 15638
Date: October 2015

Program Bulletin
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM
SUBJECT:

Engine Cylinder Head Gasket Leak

MODELS:

2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2016 Cadillac Escalade
2015 Chevrolet Silverado LD
2016 Chevrolet Corvette
2015 GMC Sierra LD, Yukon Denali XL
2016 GMC Yukon Denali
Equipped with 6.2L V-8 (RPO L86 and LT1)

THIS PROGRAM IS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOVEMBER 30, 2017.
CONDITION
Certain 2016 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Corvette, GMC Yukon
Denali and 2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado LD, GMC Sierra LD, and Yukon
Denali XL model vehicles equipped with 6.2L engines (RPO L86 and LT1) may have engines built
with cylinder head gaskets in which the head gasket stopper ring was off location. The gasket may
fatigue over time leading to the possibility of a leak into the combustion chamber after several
thousand miles. Possible symptoms include: a check engine light for P0300 Misfire, possible
combustion gas leaks to coolant resulting in overheating, over-flowed coolant bottle, milky-colored
engine oil in the crankcase, piston scuffing and if the vehicle is continued to be driven in this
condition, engine failure.
CORRECTION
Dealers are to replace the left and right side engine head gasket.
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. 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 program is a violation of law in several states/provinces/countries.
Copyright 2015 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

Page 2

October 2015

Bulletin No.: 15638

Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this report to the follow-up necessary to complete
this program.
PART INFORMATION
Note: Use the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), SI and the GM Electronic Parts Catalog to
determine which part to order.
Parts required to complete this program are to be obtained from General Motors Customer Care
and Aftersales (GMCC&A). Please refer to your “involved vehicles listing” before ordering parts.
Normal orders should be placed on a DRO = Daily Replenishment Order. In an emergency
situation, parts should be ordered on a CSO = Customer Special Order.
Important: Our records indicate a total of 13 vehicles are involved in this Customer
Satisfaction Program. Due to the small population of vehicles involved, dealers
are encouraged not to order parts for use as shelf stock. Parts should only be
ordered when an affected vehicle is presented for repair.
Part Number
12657969

11546959
11611976
15035747
15077362
15272179
20779890
11518860
11589264
15032594
24504031
12618336
12618337
12668553
12346290 (US)
10953464 (CN)
19259487 (US)
19259784 (CN)

Description
Gasket Kit
(includes head gaskets, rocker cover gasket, exhaust
manifold gaskets, intake gaskets and throttle body
gasket)
Cylinder Head Bolt
Cylinder Head Bolt
Catalytic Converter Seal, Left
Catalytic Converter Seal, Right
Catalytic Converter Gasket (Corvette Only)
Catalytic Converter Clamp
Exhaust Manifold Bolt (Corvette Only)
Exhaust Manifold Pipe Stud (Corvette Only)
Catalytic Converter Pipe Nut (Corvette Only)
Oil Indicator Level Seal (Corvette Only)
Intermediate Fuel Feed Pipe
Intermediate Fuel Feed Pipe #2
Fuel Injector Seal Kit
Coolant, Dex-Cool, gal

Quantity/Vehicle
1

Engine Oil, 0W-20 Dexos1, qt

8

19
1
1
1
2
1
10
6
6
1
1
1
2
4

SERVICE PROCEDURE
1.

Remove both cylinder heads. Refer to Cylinder Head Replacement - Left Side and Cylinder
Head Replacement - Right Side in SI.

2.

Replace both cylinder head gaskets. Refer to Replacing Engine Gaskets in SI.

Page 3

October 2015

Bulletin No.: 15638

Caution: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the
correct part number for that application. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on
fasteners, or fastener joint surfaces, unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and
joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and
specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems. When
using fasteners that are threaded directly into plastic, use extreme care not to strip the mating
plastic part(s). Use hand tools only, and do not use any kind of impact or power tools. Fastener
should be hand tightened, fully seated, and not stripped.
Caution: This vehicle is equipped with torque-to-yield or single use fasteners. Install a NEW
torque-to-yield or single use fastener when installing this component. Failure to replace the torqueto-yield or single use fastener could cause damage to the vehicle or component.
3.

Install both cylinder heads. Refer to Cylinder Head Replacement - Left Side and Cylinder
Head Replacement - Right Side 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. All transactions should be submitted as a ZFAT
transaction type, unless noted otherwise.
Labor
Code
9101836

Description
Cylinder Head Gasket Replacement – Both Sides:
-Corvette
-Silverado and Sierra
-Escalade and Yukon
Add: To Fill Cooling System
For Removal of Components to Access Air Conditioning
Service Port
To Recover and Recharge R-134a A/C System

Labor
Time
14.3
11.3
9.9
0.3
0.2

Net
Item
N/A

N/A

0.3

CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION – For US and Canada
General Motors will notify customers of this program on their vehicle (see copy of customer letter
included with this bulletin).

Page 4

October 2015

Bulletin No.: 15638

DEALER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY
All unsold new vehicles in dealers' possession and subject to this program must be held and
inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this program bulletin before customers take
possession of these vehicles. Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this program at no
charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, through November 30,
2017.
Customers who have recently purchased vehicles sold from your vehicle inventory, and for which
there is no customer information indicated on the involved vehicle 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. Program 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 program enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your
facility for service through November 30, 2017, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the
program 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

Page 5

October 2015

Bulletin No.: 15638
November 2015

This notice applies to your vehicle, VIN: ________________________________
Dear General Motors Customer:
We have learned that your 2016 model year Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet
Corvette, GMC Yukon Denali and 2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado LD, GMC
Sierra LD, and Yukon Denali XL model vehicles equipped with 6.2L engines may have engines
built with cylinder head gaskets in which the head gasket stopper ring was off location. The
gasket may fatigue over time leading to the possibility of a leak into the combustion chamber
after several thousand miles. Possible symptoms include: a check engine light for P0300
Misfire, possible combustion gas leaks to coolant resulting in overheating, over-flowed coolant
bottle, milky-colored engine oil in the crankcase, piston scuffing and if the vehicle is continued to
be driven in this condition, engine failure.
Your satisfaction with your GM vehicle is very important to us, so we are announcing a program
to prevent this condition or, if it has occurred, to fix it.
What We Will Do: Your GM dealer will replace the left and right side engine head gasket. This
service will be performed for you at no charge until November 30, 2017. After that, any
applicable warranty will apply.
What You Should Do: To limit any possible inconvenience, we recommend that you contact
your dealer as soon as possible to schedule an appointment for this repair. By scheduling an
appointment, your dealer can ensure that the necessary parts will be available on your
scheduled appointment date.
If you have any 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

We sincerely regret any inconvenience or concern that this situation may cause you. We want
you to know that we will do our best, throughout your ownership experience, to ensure that your
GM vehicle provides you many miles of enjoyable driving.
Terry M. Inch
Executive Director
Global Connected Customer Experience
15638

GM CUSTOMER CARE AND AFTERSALES
DCS3804
URGENT - DISTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY
Date:

October 13, 2015

Subject:

15638 - Customer Satisfaction Program
Engine Cylinder Head Gasket Leak

Models:

2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2016 Cadillac Escalade
2015 Chevrolet Silverado LD
2016 Chevrolet Corvette
2015 GMC Sierra LD, Yukon Denali XL
2016 GMC Yukon Denali
Equipped with 6.2L V-8 (RPO L86 and LT1)

To:

All Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC Dealers

Attention: General Manager, Service Advisor, Service Manager, Parts and
Service Director, Parts Manager, New or Used Vehicle Sales
Manager, and Warranty Administrator

General Motors is releasing Customer Satisfaction Program 15638 today. The
total number of U.S. vehicles involved is approximately 13. Please see the
attached bulletin for details.
Customer Letter Mailing
The customer letter mailing will begin in the near future.
Global Connect (GWM)
The “Investigate Vehicle History” (IVH) screen will be updated in the near future. A list
of involved vehicles in dealer inventory is attached to this message.
Campaign Initiation Detail Report (CIDR)
The CIDR will be available in the near future.
END OF MESSAGE
GM CUSTOMER CARE AND AFTERSALES