Bulletin No.: 13380A
Date: November 2013

Recall Bulletin

F/CMVSS NONCOMPLIANCE RECALL
SUBJECT:

HVAC Control Inoperable

MODELS:

2014 Chevrolet Malibu

The service procedure in this bulletin has been revised. Dealers do not need to perform the
actuator recalibration function. Please discard all copies of bulletin 13380.
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 certain 2014 model year Chevrolet Malibu vehicles fail to
conform to Federal/Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 103 for windshield defrosting and
defogging. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control in these vehicles may
intermittently become inoperable when the vehicle is started. If this occurs, the HVAC mode
will remain in the latest mode set prior to the vehicle being shut off. If the windshield defrost
was not previously on, it cannot be turned on until ten minutes after the vehicle is turned off
and then restarted. If this happens when the defrost system is required, it may decrease the
driver's visibility and result in a crash.
CORRECTION
Dealers are to reprogram the HVAC control module.
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.
For dealers with involved vehicles, a listing with involved vehicles containing the complete
vehicle identification number, customer name, and address information has been prepared
Copyright 2013 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

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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
No parts are required for this recall.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Do not attempt to order the calibration number from GM Customer Care and Aftersales. The
calibration numbers required for this service procedure are programmed into control modules
via a Multiple Diagnostic Interface (MDI) with the calibration update. When using an MDI for
reprogramming, ensure that it is updated with the latest software version. Use TIS2WEB on or
after November 7, 2013, to obtain the calibration. If you cannot access the calibration, call
the Techline Customer Support Center and it will be provided.
Note: Read the information below BEFORE programming the HVAC module.


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 EL49642 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.



During the programming procedure, follow the SPS prompts for the correct ignition
switch position.



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

1.

Verify that there is a battery charge of 12 to 15 volts. The battery must be able to
maintain a charge during programming. Only use an approved Midtronics® PSC 550
Battery Maintainer (SPS Programming Support Tool EL-49642) or equivalent to maintain
proper battery voltage during programming.

2.

Reprogram the HVAC Control Module. Refer to SI and Service Programming System
(SPS) documentation for programming instructions, if required.
2.1 Connect the MDI to the vehicle.
2.2 Select J2534 MDI and Reprogram ECU from the SPS Select Diagnostic Tool and
Programming Process screen.
2.3 Select K33 HVAC Control Module -- Programming from the SPS Supported
Controllers screen.

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Bulletin No.: 13380A

2.4 On the SPS Supported Controllers screen, select HVAC Control Module - Setup and
follow the on-screen instructions.
2.5 Follow the on-screen instructions.
3.

Select the “Clear All DTCs” function on the SPS screen at the end of programming.

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
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. All transactions should be submitted as a ZFAT
transaction type, unless noted otherwise.
Labor
Code
9100249

Description
HVAC System Control Module Reprogramming with SPS

Labor
Time
0.3

CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
General Motors will notify customers of this recall on their vehicle.
DEALER RECALL RESPONSIBILITY – For US (US States, Territories, and Possessions)
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.
This bulletin is notice to you that the new motor vehicles included in this recall may not
comply with the standard identified above. Under Title 49, Section 30112 of the United
States Code, it is illegal for a dealer to sell a new motor vehicle which the dealer knows
does not comply with an applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. As a

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consequence, if you sell any of these motor vehicles without first performing the recall
correction, your facility may be subject to a civil penalty for each such sale.
DEALER RECALL RESPONSIBILITY - All
All unsold new vehicles in dealer's 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. 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 facility 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.

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