GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS
DCS4920
URGENT - DISTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY
Date:

December 4, 2018

Subject: 18239-01 – Emission Recall
ECM Circuit Board Connection Failure
Revised Warranty Information section
Models: 2018 Buick LaCrosse
2018 Cadillac ATS
2018 Cadillac CT6
2018 Cadillac CTS
2018 Chevrolet Camaro
2018 Chevrolet Colorado
2018 Chevrolet Cruze
2018 Chevrolet Equinox
2018 Chevrolet Malibu
2018 Chevrolet Tracker
2018 Chevrolet Volt
2018 GMC Acadia
2018 GMC Canyon
2018 GMC Terrain
Equipped with various engines (LHN, LTG, LCV, LE2, LYX, LEX, L3A)
To:

All General Motors Dealers

This recall is being revised to update the Chevrolet Cruze labor time. Please
discard all previous copies of bulletin 18239.

END OF MESSAGE
GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS

Product Emission Recall
18239 ECM Circuit Board Connection Failure
Reference Number:

N182172990

Release Date:
December 2018
Revision: 01
Revision Description:
This recall is being revised to update the Chevrolet Cruze labor time. Please
discard all previous copies of bulletin 18239.
Model Year
Make
Model
From
To
RPO
Description
Buick
LaCrosse
2018
2018
LHN
2.5L Engine
Cadillac
ATS
2018
2018
LTG
2.0L Engine
Cadillac
CT6
2018
2018
LTG
2.0L Engine
Cadillac
CTS
2018
2018
LTG
2.0L Engine
Chevrolet
Camaro
2018
2018
LTG
2.0L Engine
Chevrolet
Colorado
2018
2018
LCV
2.5L Engine
Chevrolet
Cruze
2018
2018
LE2
1.4L Engine
Chevrolet
Equinox
2018
2018
LYX
1.5L Engine
Chevrolet
Malibu
2018
2018
LTG
2.0L Engine
Chevrolet
Tracker
2018
2018
LEX
1.4L Engine
Chevrolet
Volt
2018
2018
L3A
1.5L Engine
GMC
Acadia
2018
2018
LCV
2.5L Engine
GMC
Canyon
2018
2018
LCV
2.5L Engine
GMC
Terrain
2018
2018
LTG, LYX
2.0L or 1.5L 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

Correction

General Motors has decided to conduct a Voluntary Emission Recall involving certain 2018 model year
Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Cadillac CT6, Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Colorado,
Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Tracker, Chevrolet Volt, GMC Acadia,
GMC Canyon, and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with 4-cylinder engines (RPO LHN, LEX, L3A, LYX,
LKN, LE2, LCV or LTG). On some vehicles, an electrical connection in the circuit board may fail in the
engine control module. If this occurs, a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL), such as the Check Engine
Light may illuminate.
Replace the Engine Control Module (ECM).

Parts
Quantity
1
1

Part Name
Engine Control Module (ECM)
Engine Control Module (ECM)

Part No.
12669908
12687467

Note: Use the VIN and the GM Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC) to determine which ECM to order.
It is estimated that only 596 involved vehicles will require this Engine Control Module Assembly replaced on this vehicle.
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) management. Dealers should review the
affected parts to confirm RIM managed status. Parts may have quantity limiters in effect.

Warranty Information
Copyright 2018 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

Page 1 of 5

Product Emission Recall
18239 ECM Circuit Board Connection Failure
Labor
Operation
9103851*

Description
ECM Replacement
Acadia
ATS, CTS
Camaro
Colorado/Canyon (Includes time to relocate expansion tank)
Cruze
CT6
ADD: with HP9
LaCrosse
Malibu
Equinox, Terrain
ADD: LYX
Tracker
Volt

Labor
Time
0.4
0.9
0.8
0.9
0.5
0.8
0.3
0.3
0.7
0.5
0.1
0.5
1.4

Trans.
Type
ZFAT

Net
Item
N/A

* To avoid warranty transaction rejections, the SPS Warranty Claim Code must be entered when submitting this
transaction.
Warranty Claim Code Information Retrieval
If the SPS Warranty Claim Code was not recorded on the Job Card, the code can be retrieved in the SPS system as
follows:
-

Open TIS on the computer used to program the vehicle
Select and start SPS
Select Settings
Select the Warranty Claim Code tab

The VIN, Warranty Claim Code and Date/Time will be listed on a roster of recent programming events. If the code
is retrievable, dealers should resubmit the transaction making sure to include the code in the SPS Warranty Claim
Code field.
Service Procedure
Note: After replacing the engine control module (ECM), module programming is required. Carefully read and follow the
instructions below.

•

Ensure the programming tool is equipped with the latest software and is securely connected to the data link connector.
If there is an interruption during programming, programming failure or control module damage may occur.

•

Stable battery voltage is critical during programming. Any fluctuation, spiking, over voltage or loss of voltage will
interrupt programming. When required install the EL-49642 SPS Programming Support Tool to maintain system
voltage. If not available, connect a fully charged 12 V jumper or booster pack disconnected from the AC voltage
supply. DO NOT connect a battery charger.

•

Turn OFF or disable systems that may put a load on the vehicles battery such as; interior lights, exterior lights
(including daytime running lights), HVAC, radio, etc.

•

Clear DTCs after programming is complete. Clearing powertrain DTCs will set the Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)
system status indicators to NO.

•

To avoid warranty transaction rejections, the SPS Warranty Claim Code must be entered when submitting this
transaction.

Page 2 of 5

Product Emission Recall
18239 ECM Circuit Board Connection Failure
1.

Replace the ECM. Refer to ECM Replacement in SI.

5125477

5125478

•

Colorado/Canyon ONLY – loosen the two nuts holding the coolant expansion tank until the tank can be swung
out of the way to replace the ECM (shown above). It is NOT necessary to drain and refill coolant for this service
procedure.

2.

Record SPS Warranty Claim Code on job card for warranty transaction submission.

3.

CALIFORNIA VEHICLES ONLY: Complete a “Proof of Correction” certificate and provide to the vehicle owner upon
recall completion.

Dealer Responsibility
All new, used, GM Certified Used, courtesy transportation vehicles, dealer shuttle vehicles, etc. in dealers' possession
and subject to this recall 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, dealer-traded,
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
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.
Page 3 of 5

Product Emission Recall
18239 ECM Circuit Board Connection Failure
Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this recall at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle,
or ownership, from this time forward.
Customers who have recently purchased vehicles sold from your vehicle inventory, and for which there is no customer
information indicated on the dealer 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. Recall 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 recall enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in
the future, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the recall correction has been made before selling or releasing
the vehicle.
***THE FOLLOWING 2 PARAGRAPHS ARE NOT FOR CANADA OR EXPORT***
When a California emissions recall is completed by a GM dealer, the dealer must provide the vehicle owner a “Proof of
Correction Certificate” which the owner may need to present to the California Department Of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when
renewing their vehicle registration. Without this correction certificate, the owner may be unable to renew their vehicle
registration.
Additional Certificates can be obtained, at no charge, from the 1Store application in GlobalConnect. Request GM Item
Number 1825 when ordering.
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 recall 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 recall.
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 recall on their vehicle (see copy of customer letter included
with this bulletin).
In order to ensure full protection under the emission warranty, and the right to participate in future recalls, the customer
notification letter recommends that customers have their vehicles serviced as soon as possible. It also advises that failure
to do so could legally be determined to be lack of proper maintenance. The vehicle may fail a state or local emission
inspection test if the recall work is not completed.
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.

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 4 of 5

Product Emission Recall
18239 ECM Circuit Board Connection Failure

August 2018
This notice applies to your vehicle, VIN: _____________________________________
Dear General Motors Customer:
This notice is sent to inform you that General Motors is conducting a voluntary emission recall that includes your
vehicle.
Reason For This Recall: An electrical connection in the circuit board may fail in the engine control module. If this
occurs, a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL), such as the Check Engine Light, may illuminate and your engine, which has
been certified to meet California and Federal emission standards, may release air pollutants which exceed these
standards.
What Will Be Done: Your GM dealer will replace and reprogram the engine control module. This service will be
performed for you at no charge. Eligibility for the engine control module replacement and reprogramming will not be
denied solely due to your engine having non-GM parts or repairs performed by outlets other than GM franchised
dealers.
How Long Will The Repair Take? Because of service scheduling requirements, it is likely that your dealer will need
your vehicle longer than the actual service correction time of 0.5 to 2 hours.
What You Should Do: Please contact your GM dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date and to assure
parts availability. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer. Please ask your dealer if you
wish to know how much time will be needed to schedule, process, and repair your vehicle.
If you have any questions or need any assistance, just contact your dealer or the appropriate Customer Assistance
Center at the number listed below.
Division
Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
GMC
Puerto Rico – English
Puerto Rico – Español
Virgin Islands

Number
1-866-608-8080
1-866-982-2339
1-800-630-2438
1-866-996-9463
1-800-496-9992
1-800-496-9993
1-800-496-9994

Text Telephones (TTY)
1-800-832-8425
1-800-833-2622
1-800-833-2438
1-800-462-8583

Emission Warranty Information: In order to assure your full protection under the emission warranty provisions, it is
recommended that you have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible. Failure to do so could legally be determined as
lack of proper maintenance of your vehicle. Failure to replace and reprogram the engine control module may cause
your vehicle to fail a state or local emission inspection or I/M smog check test.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) requires vehicle emission recalls be completed prior to California
registration renewal. Uncorrected emission recalls will result in the inability to renew your California vehicle registration.
At the time of emission recall completion, your California dealer will issue a "Proof of Correction Certificate". Keep this
certificate and, if required, present it to the Department of Motor Vehicles when renewing your California registration as
proof of recall completion.

We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your continued
satisfaction with our products.
Maryann L. Combs
Vice President
Global Vehicle Safety
GM Recall: 18239

Page 5 of 5