GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS
DCS5013
URGENT - DISTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY
Date:

April 10, 2019

Subject: N182202780 - Special Coverage
Brake Assist Decreased due to Vacuum Loss
Models: 2014 – 2017 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV
2014 – 2017 Chevrolet Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe
2014 – 2017 GMC Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL
To:

All General Motors Dealers

General Motors is releasing Special Coverage N182202780 today. The total
number of U.S. vehicles involved is approximately 3,357,584. Please see the
attached bulletin for details.
Customer Letter Mailing
The customer letter mailing will begin on April 10, 2019.
Global Warranty Management (GWM)
The Applicable Warranties Section of the Investigate Vehicle History (IVH) screen in the
GWM system will be updated April 10, 2019. Please hold all warranty transactions until
IVH has been updated.
END OF MESSAGE
GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS

Special Coverage Adjustment
N182202780 Brake Assist Decreased Due to Vacuum Loss
Release Date:
Attention:

Make
Cadillac
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet
GMC
GMC
GMC

April 2019

Revision:

00

Dealers are to refer to the General Motors Service Policies and Procedures Manual, Section 6.1.3 Regional Product Field Actions, for guidelines on handling vehicles that are not involved in this program
but may be displaying the same condition.

Model
Escalade
Escalade ESV
Silverado LD
Suburban
Tahoe
Sierra LD
Yukon
Yukon XL

Model Year
From
To

2014

RPO

Description

2017

Involved vehicles are identified on the Applicable Warranties section 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

In some circumstances, some 2014-2017 model year Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet
Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, and GMC Yukon vehicles may have a condition where
customers may experience increased brake pedal effort, hard brake pedal, and/or potentially increased
stopping distance. The condition is more prevalent at low speed when softly applying the brakes. The
engine mounted mechanical vacuum pump output may decrease over time decreasing the amount of
vacuum/power brake assist. Failure to follow recommended oil change intervals could contribute to this
condition. The Driver’s Information Center, (DIC) “Service brake assist” alert will activate 2-5 minutes
after the vacuum level drops, and a Diagnostic Trouble Code, (DTC) will also be set. Even where this
condition occurs, the hydraulic brake system remains functional but may require additional pedal force.
Please understand that even if the vehicle exhibits this condition, it meets all federal motor
vehicle safety standards for brake performance.

Special
Coverage
Adjustment

This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 6 years or 72,000 miles
(116,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service,
regardless of ownership.
For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after April
10, 2019 for US, (April 11, 2019 for Canada), are covered by this special coverage and must be
submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to
April 10, 2019 for US, (April 11, 2019 for Canada), must be submitted to the Service Contract provider.
Vehicle owners or lessees who paid for repairs referenced in this Special Coverage (“Customers”) are
eligible for reimbursement of their reasonable and customary expenses in accordance with the
procedures specified below. The conditional right to reimbursement is provided by GM solely in the
interest of customer satisfaction and is personal to Customers. Customers may not assign and GM
does not consent to any assignment of any Customer’s right to submit reimbursement claims, or to
receive reimbursement, or any other rights granted by this Special Coverage to any third party,
including but not limited to service contract providers, and this Special Coverage is not intended to
and does not confer any third party beneficiary, subrogation or contribution rights, or any other rights
to reimbursement, against GM, whether in law, equity or otherwise, on any third parties.

Correction

Dealers are to replace the vacuum pump and vacuum pump belt. The repairs will be made at no charge
to the customer.

Copyright 2019 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

Page 1 of 5

Special Coverage Adjustment
N182202780 Brake Assist Decreased Due to Vacuum Loss
Parts
Quantity
1
1

Part Name

Part No.
12669488
12658179

Vacuum Pump Assembly
Belt Kit

Note: Use the vehicle identification number (VIN) and the GM Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC) to determine which vacuum
pump and belt kit to order.
Important: Due to limited initial parts availability, dealers are encouraged not to order these parts for use as
shelf stock.
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.
Warranty Information
Labor
Operation
9900535
9900536
9900537
9900538

Description
Diagnostic Time Only – No Repair Required
Vacuum Pump Replacement
Add: Diagnostic Time
Customer Reimbursement Approved
- For USA and Canada dealers only
- For Export dealers only
Customer Reimbursement Denied – For USA dealers only

Labor
Time
0.1-1.0
1.3
0.1-1.0

Trans.
Type
ZREG

Net
Item
N/A

ZREG

N/A

N/A
0.2
N/A

ZREG

*

ZREG

**

* For USA and Canada: Submit the dollar amount reimbursed to the Customer in Net/Reimbursement. Submit $20.00
administrative allowance in Net/Admin Allowance.
For Export: Submit the dollar amount reimbursed to the Customer in Net/Reimbursement.
** Submit $10.00 administrative allowance in Net/Admin Allowance.
Service Procedure
1.

2.

Perform the Brake System Vacuum Source Test from SI.
•

If low vacuum is NOT found, no further action is required under the scope of this special coverage. Inform the
customer that any further diagnostics will need to be covered under warranty, customer pay, or goodwill.

•

If low vacuum is found and the root cause is NOT the vacuum pump, claim diagnostic time under this special
coverage and inform the customer that the repair will need to be covered under warranty, customer pay, or
goodwill.

•

If low vacuum is found, and the root cause is traced back to the vacuum pump via the diagnostics in Brake
System Vacuum Source Test in SI, proceed to step 2.

Replace the vacuum pump and vacuum pump belt. Refer to Vacuum Pump Replacement in SI.

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
General Motors will notify Customers of this special coverage on their vehicle (see copy of typical Customer letter included
with this bulletin).
Customer Reimbursement
Customer requests for reimbursement of previously paid repairs to correct the condition described in this bulletin are to
be submitted to the dealer prior to or by June 30, 2020. See General Motors Service Policies and Procedures Manual,
Section 6.1.11 – Product Field Action Customer Reimbursement Procedure (USA & Canada) or local Policies and
Procedures, for details.

Page 2 of 5

Special Coverage Adjustment
N182202780 Brake Assist Decreased Due to Vacuum Loss
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 3 of 5

Special Coverage Adjustment
N182202780 Brake Assist Decreased Due to Vacuum Loss
April 2019
This notice applies to your vehicle, VIN: _____________________________________
Dear General Motors Customer:
As the owner of a 2014 – 2017 model year GM vehicle, your satisfaction with our product is very important to us.
This letter is intended to make you aware that some 2014 – 2017 model year GM vehicles may have a condition where
customers may experience increased brake pedal effort, hard brake pedal, and/or potentially increased stopping
distance. The condition is more prevalent at low speed when softly applying the brakes. The engine mounted
mechanical vacuum pump output may decrease over time decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.
Failure to follow recommended oil change intervals could contribute to this condition. The Driver’s Information Center,
(DIC) “Service brake assist” alert will activate 2-5 minutes after the vacuum level drops, and a Diagnostic Trouble Code,
(DTC) will also be set. Even where this condition occurs, the hydraulic brake system remains functional but may require
additional pedal force. Please understand that even if your vehicle exhibits this condition, it meets all federal
motor vehicle safety standards for brake performance.
Do not take your vehicle to your GM dealer as a result of this letter unless you believe that your vehicle has the
condition as described above.
What We Have Done: General Motors is providing you with the additional special coverage outlined in this letter for the
condition described above in the interests of customer satisfaction. If this condition occurs on your 2014 – 2017 model
year GM vehicle within 6 years of the date your vehicle was originally placed in service or 72,000 miles (116,000 km),
whichever occurs first, the condition will be repaired for you at no charge. Diagnosis or repair for conditions other than
the condition described above is not covered under this special coverage program.
What You Should Do: If you believe that your vehicle has the condition described above, repairs and adjustments
qualifying under this special coverage must be performed by a General Motors dealer. You may want to contact your
GM dealer to find out how long they will need to have your vehicle so that you may schedule the appointment at a time
that is convenient for you. This will also allow your dealer to order parts if they are not already in stock. Keep this letter
with your other important glove box literature for future reference.
Reimbursement: If you have already paid for repairs for the condition described in this letter, please complete the
enclosed reimbursement form and present it to your dealer with all required documents. Working with your dealer will
expedite your request, however, if this is not convenient, you may mail the completed reimbursement form and all
required documents to Reimbursement Department, PO Box 33170, Detroit, MI 48232-5170. The completed form and
required documents must be presented to your dealer or received by the Reimbursement Department by June 30,
2020, unless state law specifies a longer reimbursement period.
The right to submit reimbursement claims is provided by GM solely in the interest of customer satisfaction and is
personal to vehicle owners and lessees who previously paid for repairs referenced in this Special Coverage
(“Customers”). Customers may not assign and GM does not consent to any assignment of any Customer’s right
to submit reimbursement claims, or to receive reimbursement, or any other rights granted by this Special
Coverage to any third party, including but not limited to service contract providers, and this Special Coverage
is not intended to and does not confer any third party beneficiary, subrogation or contribution rights, or any
other rights to reimbursement, against GM, whether in law, equity or otherwise, on any third parties.

Page 4 of 5

Special Coverage Adjustment
N182202780 Brake Assist Decreased Due to Vacuum Loss
If you have any questions or need any assistance, please contact your dealer or the appropriate Customer Assistance
Center at the number listed below.
Division
Cadillac
Chevrolet
GMC
Puerto Rico – English
Puerto Rico – Español
Virgin Islands

Number
1-800-458-8006
1-800-222-1020
1-800-462-8782
1-800-496-9992
1-800-496-9993
1-800-496-9994

Text Telephones (TTY)
1-800-833-2622
1-800-833-2438
1-800-889-2438

We are sorry for any inconvenience you may experience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your
continued satisfaction with our products.
Neelie O’Connor
Executive Director
North America Contact Center Operations
Enclosure
N182202780

Page 5 of 5