GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS
DCS4781
URGENT - DISTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY
Date:

June 15, 2018

Subject: 18186 Customer Satisfaction Program
High Feature V6 Gen 1 Broken Piston Oil Control Ring
Models: 2018 Buick Enclave,
2018 Chevrolet Impala,
2018 Chevrolet Traverse
Equipped with LFX/LFY (3.6 L. Engine)
To:

All General Motors Dealers

General Motors is releasing Customer Satisfaction Program 18186 today. The
total number of U.S. vehicles involved is approximately 169. Please see the
attached bulletin for details.
Customer Letter Mailing
The customer letter mailing will begin on June 28, 2018.
Global Warranty Management (GWM)
The Investigate Vehicle History (IVH) screen in the GWM system will be updated June
16, 2018. A list of involved vehicles in dealer new inventory is attached to this
message. Please hold all warranty transactions until IVH has been updated.
END OF MESSAGE
GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS

Customer Satisfaction Program
18186 High Feature V6 Gen 1 Broken Piston Oil Control Ring
Reference Number:
Attention:

Release Date:
Revision:

N182167800

June 2018
00

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.
This program is in effect until June 30, 2020.

Make

Model

Buick
Chevrolet
Chevrolet

Enclave
Impala
Traverse

Model Year
From
To
2018
2018
2018
2018
2018
2018

RPO

Description

LFX/
LFY

3.6L Engine

Involved vehicles are marked “open” on the Investigate Vehicle History screen in GM Global Warranty Management
system. This site should always be checked to confirm vehicle involvement prior to beginning any required inspections
and/or repairs.
Condition

Certain 2018 model year Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Impala and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles, equipped
with a 3.6L engine (RPO LFX or LFY), may have a condition where the piston oil control ring may have
been damaged during installation. If this happened, it could lead to excess oil consumption in the
combustion chamber and result in an engine misfire, a check engine light, and low oil levels. If the
vehicle continues to be driven with an insufficient oil level, the engine could be severely damaged and
the vehicle could lose propulsion.

Correction

Dealers are to inspect cylinders 2, 4, and 6. If, during inspection, the technician sees evidence of cylinder
wall scoring, (gouges), or a broken oil control ring is found, dealers are to replace the engine.

Parts
Quantity

Part Name

Oil Filter
Gasket Kit, Upper Intake Manifold
Lower Intake Manifold Gasket
Desiccant Kit (to be used if A/C system is open more than 24 hours)
Gasoline Engine

Part No.
88865635 (US)
19353385 (CA)
12378390 (US)
10953456 (CA)
19260234 (US)
19260235 (CA)
19330000
12647263
12673301
23350130
12678996

Seal, AC Compressor

02724966

Seal, A/C Evaporator TXV

52474373

Gasket, exhaust pipe

20907464

Gasket, Exhaust Front Pipe

13267274

Gasket, Exhaust Manifold Front Pipe

20893953

Washer, Front Wheel Drive Shaft

11547142

Front Wheel Drive Shaft Retaining Ring (left)

90121202

Front Wheel Drive Shaft Retaining Ring (right)

22727024

Engine Mount Bolt

11570514

Drivetrain and Front Suspension Frame Support Bolt

11515767

6

Dexos 5W30 Engine Oil

2

Dexcool

As Req.
1
1
1
1 (As Req.)
1
(Impala)
2
(Impala)
2
(Impala)
1
(Impala)
2
(Impala)
2
(Impala)
2
(Impala)
1
(Impala)
1
(Impala)
3
(Impala)
2

R1234YF Refrigerant

Copyright 2018 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

Page 1 of 6

Customer Satisfaction Program
18186 High Feature V6 Gen 1 Broken Piston Oil Control Ring
(Impala)
2
(Impala)
3
(Impala)
2
(Impala)
3
(Impala)
3
(Impala)
2
(Impala)
1
(Traverse/Enclave)
2
(Traverse/Enclave)
2
(Traverse/Enclave)
1
(Traverse/Enclave)
2
(Traverse/Enclave)
1
(Traverse/Enclave)
1
(Traverse/Enclave)
2
(Traverse/Enclave)
2
(Traverse/Enclave)
2
(Traverse/Enclave)
2
(Traverse/Enclave)
1
(Traverse/Enclave AWD)
1
(Traverse/Enclave AWD)
1
(Traverse/Enclave AWD)
1
(Traverse/Enclave AWD)
2
(Traverse/Enclave)
4
(Traverse/Enclave)
4
(Traverse/Enclave)
3
(Traverse/Enclave)
3
(Traverse/Enclave)
1
(Traverse/Enclave)
1
(Traverse/Enclave)
2
(Traverse/Enclave)
4
(Traverse/Enclave)
8

Steering Knuckle Bolt

11518632

Steering Gear Bolt

13253472

Steering Gear Nut

11546593

Transmission Mount Bolt

11609605

Transmission Mount Bolt

11570514

Transmission Rear Mount Bolt

11610919

Gasoline Engine

12684120

Retainer, Trans Fluid Cooler Pipe

24288159

Seal, A/C Compressor Hose (O-Ring)

25872379

Exhaust System Intermediate Gasket

22816982

Catalytic Converter Gasket

20893953

Exhaust System Intermediate Gasket

23161602

Exhaust System Intermediate Gasket

23436778

Catalytic Converter Gasket

84135650

Front Wheel Drive Shaft Nut

11612295

Drive Shaft Retaining Ring

07829495

Drive Shaft Seal (O-Ring)

25877309

Power Transfer Unit Half Shaft Retaining Clip

19132950

O-Ring Prop Shaft

23432713

Retainer, Prop Shaft to Diff Carrier Interface

23321677

Seal, Transfer Case Intermediate Drive Shaft (O-Ring)

19132944

Stabilizing Bar to Cradle Bolt

11588738

Front Lower Control Arm Bolts

11610916

Transmission Mount Transmission Side Bolt

11547918

Transmission Rear Mount Bracket Bolt

11609605

Engine Mount Bolts

11547918

Front Trans Mount Bolt

11609313

Front Trans Mount Bolt

11588747

Rear Trans Mount Bolts

11546593

Drivetrain and Front Suspension Cradle Bolt

11547841

Stabilizing Shaft Bolt

11588738
Page 2 of 6

Customer Satisfaction Program
18186 High Feature V6 Gen 1 Broken Piston Oil Control Ring
(Traverse/Enclave)

Reminder: Parts may be removed from Retail Inventory Management (RIM). Dealers should review the affected parts
to confirm RIM managed status. Parts may have quantity limiters in effect.
Note: Use the VIN and the GM Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC) to determine which part(s) to order.
Warranty Information
Labor
Operation
9103893

9103894

Description
Inspect Only – No Further Action Required:
Traverse/Enclave
Impala
Engine Replacement (Includes inspection, refrigerant recover and
recharge, and coolant drain and fill):
Traverse/Enclave AWD
Traverse/Enclave FWD
Impala

Labor
Time

Trans.
Type
ZFAT

Net
Item
N/A

ZFAT

N/A

0.7
0.6

16.2
15.1
10.5

Service Procedure
1.

Remove the spark plugs from Bank 2. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement in SI.

5082828

2.

Using a borescope, inspect each cylinder in Bank 2 for evidence of scoring, (gouges), on the cylinder wall from a
broken oil control ring as shown.
•

If NO evidence of cylinder wall scoring, (gouges), or a broken oil control ring is found, no further action is
required.

•

If evidence of cylinder wall scoring, (gouges), or a broken oil control ring is found, replace the engine. Refer
to Engine Replacement in SI.

Dealer Responsibility
All new, used, GM Certified Used, courtesy transportation vehicles, dealer shuttle vehicles, etc. in dealers' possession
and subject to this program must be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this bulletin before
customers take possession of these vehicles. Involved vehicles must be held and not delivered to customers, dealertraded, released to auction, used for demonstration, or any other purpose.
All GM Certified Used vehicles currently in the dealers’ inventory within the Certified Pre-Owned Inventory System
(CPOIS) will be de-certified and must be held and remedied per the service procedure in this bulletin. Upon submitting

Page 3 of 6

Customer Satisfaction Program
18186 High Feature V6 Gen 1 Broken Piston Oil Control Ring
an accepted/paid warranty transaction in the Global Warranty Management (GWM) system, the vehicle can be re-certified
for sale within the CPOIS system, or once again be used in the CTP program.
Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this program at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle,
or ownership, through June 30, 2020. 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 June 30, 2020, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the program correction has been made before
selling or releasing the vehicle.
Dealer Reports
For dealers with involved vehicles, a listing with involved vehicles has been prepared and will be provided to U.S. and
Canadian dealers through the GM GlobalConnect Recall Reports, or sent directly to export dealers. 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. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this report to the follow-up necessary to
complete this program.
Courtesy Transportation – For USA & Canada
Courtesy transportation is available for customers whose vehicles are involved in a product program and still within the
warranty coverage period. See General Motors Service Policies and Procedures Manual, Sections 1.4 and 6.1.10, for
courtesy transportation program details.
Customer Notification
USA & Canada - General Motors will notify customers of this program on their vehicle (see copy of customer letter included
with this bulletin).
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.

Page 4 of 6

Customer Satisfaction Program
18186 High Feature V6 Gen 1 Broken Piston Oil Control Ring
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 of 6

Customer Satisfaction Program
18186 High Feature V6 Gen 1 Broken Piston Oil Control Ring
June 2018
This notice applies to your vehicle, VIN: ________________________________
Dear General Motors Customer:
We have learned that your 2018 model year Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Impala or Chevrolet Traverse vehicle equipped
with a 3.6L engine, may have a condition where the piston oil control ring may have been damaged during installation.
If this happened, it could lead to excess oil consumption in the combustion chamber and result in an engine misfire, a
check engine light, and low oil levels. If the vehicle continues to be driven with an insufficient oil level, the engine could
be severely damaged and the vehicle could lose propulsion.
Your satisfaction with your Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Impala, or Chevrolet Traverse 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 inspect engine cylinders 2, 4, and 6. If evidence of cylinder wall scoring,
(gouges), or a broken oil control ring is found, your engine will be replaced. This service will be performed for you at no
charge until June 30, 2020. 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
Buick
Chevrolet
Puerto Rico – English
Puerto Rico – Español
Virgin Islands

Number
1-800-521-7300
1-800-222-1020
1-800-496-9992
1-800-496-9993
1-800-496-9994

Text Telephones (TTY)
1-800-832-8425
1-800-833-2438

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.
Neelie O’Connor
Executive Director
North America Contact Center Operations
Recall 18186

Page 6 of 6