Bulletin No.: 15790
Date: January 2016

Program Bulletin
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM
SUBJECT:

Resistance Wire Heated Seat Spot Burn Holes

MODELS:

2006 Chevrolet Equinox
2006 Pontiac Torrent

Dealers are to refer to the General Motors Service Policies and Procedures Manual, Section 6.1.2
- Regional Product Field Actions, for guidelines on handling vehicles that are not involved in this
customer satisfaction program but may be displaying the same condition.
THIS PROGRAM IS IN EFFECT UNTIL FEBRUARY 28, 2018.
CONDITION
Some 2006 model year Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent vehicles may have been built with
front seat heater mat elements (seat cushion or back rest) that may overheat. If a seat heater mat
element overheats, it may produce visible and localized heat damage to the seat cover and
potentially damage the occupants clothing. If the element fails completely (due to melting or
fatigue) the circuit will open, rendering the seat heater inoperative.
CORRECTION
Dealers are to replace driver and passenger cushion and back heater mats.
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 and will be
provided to US and Canadian 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 program 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 program.

Copyright 2016 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

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January 2016

Bulletin No.: 15790

PART INFORMATION
Parts required to complete this recall are to be obtained from General Motors Customer Care and
Aftersales (GMCC&A).
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.
Note: Use the vehicle identification number (VIN) and the GM Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC) to
determine which part to order.
Part Number

Description

Quantity/Vehicle

23163787

Driver Back Seat Heater Mat

1

23163788

Pass Back Seat Heater Mat

1

23163789

Dr/Pass Seat Cushion Heater Mat

2

Note: If the seat cover and pad assembly requires replacement, use the VIN and EPC to order
the correct service parts. These parts are in limited supply and the stock will not be replenished.
If the seat cover and pad requires replacement and no service parts are available, the seat cover
repair will have to be performed by an auto upholstery repair facility as a sublet repair.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Use the following information to repair the vehicle. In some cases the seat cover and pad may
also require replacement. The availability of the seat cover and pad service parts are very
limited. If the seat cover and pad requires replacement and no service parts are available, the
seat cover repair will have to be performed by an auto upholstery repair facility as a sublet
repair.
Replace the driver and passenger seat cushion and seat back heaters. Refer to Driver or
Passenger Seat Back Heater Replacement and Front Seat Cushion Heater Replacement
in SI. If the seat cover and pad requires replacement, install the new covers while replacing
the seat heater pads.
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 January 13, 2017.
When a customer requests reimbursement, they must provide the following:
-

Proof of ownership at time of repair.

-

Original paid receipt confirming the amount of unreimbursed repair expense(s) (including
Service Contract deductibles), a description of the repair, and the person or entity
performing the repair.

All reasonable and customary costs to correct the condition described in this bulletin should be
considered for reimbursement. Any questions or concerns should be reviewed with your GM
representative prior to processing the request.

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January 2016

Bulletin No.: 15790

WARRANTY TRANSACTION INFORMATION
Submit a transaction using the table below. All transactions should be submitted as a ZFAT
transaction type, unless noted otherwise.
Note: To avoid having to "H" route the customer reimbursement, it must be submitted prior to the
repair transaction.
Labour
Code
9101962
9101963

Description
Replace Driver and Passenger Seat Cushion and Seat Back
Heaters*
Customer Reimbursement Approved

*

Includes seat cover and pad installation if required.

**

The
price for sublet seat cushion/pad repair.

Labour
Time
3.3

Net
Item
**

0.2

***

***
customer.
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
General Motors will notify customers of this program on their vehicle (see copy of customer letter
included with this bulletin).
DEALER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY
All unsold vehicles in dealers' possession and subject to this program must be held and
inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this program bulletin before customers take
possession of these vehicles. Part availability for this program is limited, but improving. Parts are
available for dealers to address inventory units that have been sold. Dealers are strongly
encouraged to address vehicles prior to delivery to the customer. However, if this is not possible,
dealers are to make arrangements with the customer to return for completion of the Customer
Satisfaction Program at a later date, convenient to the customer.
Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this program at no charge to customers, regardless
of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, through February 28, 2018.
Customers who have recently purchased vehicles sold from your vehicle inventory, and for which
there is no customer information indicated on the involved vehicle 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. Program 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 program enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your
facility for service through January 31, 2018, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the
program 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 ben efit from the information.

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