GM Bulletin No.: 13282A
Date: September 2013

Service Bulletin

SERVICE UPDATE
SUBJECT:

Service Update for Inventory Vehicles Only
Transmission Snap Ring Misalignment
Expires September 30, 2014

MODELS:

2013 Buick Regal, LaCrosse
2013 Chevrolet Malibu
Equipped with 6T40 Automatic Transmission (MHH)

This bulletin has been revised to correct the transmission exchange allowance. Please
discard all copies of bulletin 13282.
Vehicles involved in this service update were placed on stop delivery August 29, 2013.
Completion of the service procedure contained in this bulletin will release the vehicle
from stop delivery and allow a dealer to deliver the vehicle to a customer.
An analysis of transmission build data revealed that there could be a durability issue with
the transmissions originally installed in these vehicles. To ensure the highest quality and
best ownership experience for our customers, these transmissions need to be replaced
prior to vehicle delivery. In the interest of full disclosure, dealer must inform the
customer of the transmission repair before the customer purchases the vehicle. Some
states and provinces also have laws or regulations requiring disclosure.
A written
acknowledgement of this pre-delivery repair from the customer is strongly
recommended.
PURPOSE
This bulletin provides a service procedure to replace the transmission assembly on certain 2013
model year Buick Regal, LaCrosse and Chevrolet Malibu equipped with 6T40 automatic
transmission (MHH). The transmissions in these vehicles may have been assembled with an
improperly manufactured snap ring. A burr on the snap ring can cause it to stick to the
aluminum housing causing the snap ring to compress and come out of the retaining groove. If
this occurs, the Check Engine Light illuminates and the transmission enters default mode
(Second Gear - 65 mph or 104 km/h maximum and Reverse Gear operation only). Customer
complaints may include no shift, erratic shifts, growls and slipping, hesitation and jerks.

Copyright 2013 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

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September 2013

Bulletin No.: 13282A

This service procedure should be completed on involved vehicles currently in dealership
inventory as soon as possible but no later than September 30, 2014, at which time this
bulletin will expire.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
All involved vehicles are identified by VIN in the Global Warranty Management System –
Investigate Vehicle History Application. Dealership technicians 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.
Additionally, a list of involved vehicles currently in dealer inventory is available on the “Service
Update Bulletin Information” link under the “Service” tab in GM GlobalConnect (US) or attached
to the GlobalConnect message (Canada) used to release this bulletin.
PART INFORMATION
Replacement transmissions will be shipped directly to dealers at no charge from the involved
transmission assembly plant. Dealers should call the GM Product Quality Center (PQC) at 1866-654-7654 to order a replacement transmission. Dealers must reference “SUB 13282” to
initiate the ordering process. Do not order from General Motors Customer Care and
Aftersales (GMCCA).
Additional parts required to complete this service update are to be obtained from GMCCA.
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
88861037 - US
19264718 - CA

Description
DEXRON®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid
DEXRON®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid

Quantity/Vehicle
9
2

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September 2013

Bulletin No.: 13282A

SERVICE PROCEDURE

3613040

Note: A VIN derivative is required to be permanently engraved on the new transmission prior to
installation. Refer to the illustration above for VIN engraving location points. Select one of the
locations to engrave the required characters. VIN derivatives must be formatted as indicated
below (# = last eight characters of the VIN).
Buick Regal and LaCrosse: 1J*4########B
Chevrolet Malibu: 1J*1########B
Dealers will be allowed to purchase one engraving tool and attachment as described below.
Name: Dremel Engraver Tool
Manufacturer: Dremel
Model: DRE29001, or equivalent
Attachment: Diamond Point #9929
1. Remove the transmission from the vehicle. Refer to Transmission Replacement in SI.
2. Install a new transmission in the vehicle. Refer to Transmission Replacement in SI.

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September 2013

Bulletin No.: 13282A

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
Description
Labor Time
9100146
Transmission Replacement
10.7
Cost of Engraving Tool and Attachment (Only One Per Dealership Allowed)

**

Net Item
$200.00*
**

Transmission exchange allowance. Dealer must provide all required information including
the Transmission Unit Number (TUN) of the new transmission.
Submit the actual cost of the engraving tool and attachment, not to exceed $50.00.

DEALER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY
Dealers must take the steps necessary to ensure that the service update correction has been
made to all involved vehicles in dealer inventory before selling or dealer-trading the vehicle, but
no later than September 30, 2014.

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.

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