Bulletin No.: 13098
Date: March 2013

Recall Bulletin

PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL
SUBJECT:

Steering Wheel Fastener Inspection

MODELS:

2013 Buick Encore
Equipped with Heated Steering Wheel

Vehicles involved in this safety recall were placed on stop delivery March 21, 2013.
Once the procedure contained in this bulletin has been performed on the vehicle, the
vehicle is released from stop delivery and can be delivered to the customer.
To limit customer dissatisfaction, dealers are strongly encouraged to perform the
inspection and repair at the customer's home or workplace. Additional labor time has
been included for this service.
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.
CONDITION
General Motors has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in
certain 2013 model year Buick Encore vehicles that are equipped with a heated steering
wheel. The steering wheel fastener may not have been properly installed. If it was not
installed properly, it could allow the steering wheel to come loose and/or separate from the
steering column. If this were to happen while the vehicle was moving, the driver could lose the
ability to steer the vehicle, potentially leading to a crash.
CORRECTION
Dealers are to inspect the steering wheel to ensure that the fastener is installed properly.
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.
Copyright 2013 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

Page 2

March 2013

Bulletin No.: 13098

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 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 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.
PART INFORMATION
Parts required to complete this recall 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.
Part Number
11610164

Description
BOLT, STRG WHL

Quantity/Vehicle
1 (if req'd)

SERVICE PROCEDURE
1.

Disable the supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) system. Refer to SIR Disabling and
Enabling.

2784015

2.

Remove the steering column upper trim cover. Refer to Steering Column Upper Trim
Cover Replacement.

Page 3

March 2013

Bulletin No.: 13098

2780180

3.

Remove the ignition lock cylinder opening cover. Refer to Ignition Lock Cylinder Opening
Cover Replacement.

2784018

4.

Remove the steering column lower trim cover. Refer to Steering Column Lower Trim
Cover Replacement.

5.

Lower the steering column and move to the maximum rear end position.

6.

Turn the steering wheel from straight ahead to 180 degree position.

7.

Insert a small screwdriver, or equivalent tool, through the service openings on the rear left
and right side of the steering wheel.

Page 4

March 2013

Bulletin No.: 13098

2779508

8.

Push the spring fastener in the direction of the steering column to release the steering
wheel inflator from the steering wheel.

9.

Remove Driver Airbag Module (DAB). DO NOT disconnect the two yellow electrical
connectors.

3352589

10. Inspect the hub area of the steering wheel for the attachment bolt (1).
 If the attachment bolt (1) is NOT present, install a new attachment bolt, P/N 11610164.
Tighten the bolt to 30 Nm (23 lb-ft). Proceed to Step 11 after installing the new
attachment bolt.
 If the attachment bolt is present, apply a torque of 25 N·m (18 lb-ft) and verify that the
bolt does not rotate. If the bolt rotates, remove it and replace it with P/N 11610164.
Tighten the bolt to 30 Nm (23 lb-ft) using a torque wrench.

Page 5

March 2013

Bulletin No.: 13098

2779508

11. Reinstall DAB by aligning the two attachment pins to the steering wheel square holes.
12. Push the DAB firmly into the steering column in order the engage the fasteners. Ensure
yellow connector wires are routed properly and are not pinched.

2784018

13. Install the steering column lower trim cover. Refer to Steering Column Lower Trim Cover
Replacement.

Page 6

March 2013

Bulletin No.: 13098

2780180

14. Install ignition lock cylinder opening cover. Refer to Ignition Lock Cylinder Opening Cover
Replacement.

2784015

15. Install the steering column upper trim cover. Refer to Steering Column Upper Trim Cover
Replacement.
16. Enable the supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) system. Refer to SIR Disabling and
Enabling
COURTESY TRANSPORTATION
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

Page 7

March 2013

Bulletin No.: 13098

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.
Labor
Code
V2802
V2803

Description
Steering System Inspection and Torque Verification
Add: Repair Performed at Customer's Location
Steering System Inspection & Fastener Replacement - Use this
labor code only if a fastener is installed
Add: Repair Performed at Customer's Location

Labor
Time
0.3
1.0*
0.3

Trans
Code
ZFAT
ZFAT

1.0*

* Additional labor time to be submitted only if repair was performed at the customer's home or
workplace. Submit in Supplemental Labor Time field.
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
General Motors will notify customers of this recall on their vehicle (see copy of customer letter
included with this bulletin). General Motors will also attempt to contact customers via
telephone.
DEALER RECALL RESPONSIBILITY
It is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle or any new or used
item of motor vehicle equipment (including a tire) covered by this notification under a sale or
lease until the defect or noncompliance is remedied.
The US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act provides that each vehicle that is subject
to a recall of this type must be adequately repaired within a reasonable time after the customer
has tendered it for repair. A failure to repair within sixty days after tender of a vehicle is prima
facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time. If the condition is not adequately
repaired within a reasonable time, the customer may be entitled to an identical or reasonably
equivalent vehicle at no charge or to a refund of the purchase price less a reasonable
allowance for depreciation. To avoid having to provide these burdensome remedies, every
effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each customer and to repair
their vehicle as soon as possible. In the recall notification letters, customers are told how to
contact the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration if the recall is not completed
within a reasonable time.
All unsold new vehicles in dealers' possession and subject to this recall must be held and
inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this recall bulletin before customers take
possession of these vehicles.
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

Page 8

March 2013

Bulletin No.: 13098

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.

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