Bulletin No.: 14425
Date: October 2014

Service Bulletin

SPECIAL COVERAGE
SUBJECT:

Special Coverage Adjustment – Improperly Formed Hood Panel Clinch Joints

MODELS:

2014 Buick Verano
2014 Chevrolet Sonic

CONDITION
On some 2014 model year Buick Verano and Chevrolet Sonic vehicles, certain hood clinch joints
may have been manufactured out of specification. These hood clinch joints secure the hood
striker reinforcement plate to the inner hood panel. The long-term durability of the hood may be
impacted by clinch joints that are not manufactured within specification. If a vehicle has this
condition, the hood may squeak, rattle, and/or not properly close.
SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT
This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 10 years or 150,000
miles (240,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service,
regardless of ownership.
Dealers are to drill out the identified clinch joints and replace them with rivets. The repairs will be
made at no charge to the customer.
For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after
October 28, 2014 are covered by this special coverage and must be submitted using the labor
operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to October 28, 2014
must be submitted to the Service Contract provider.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
All involved vehicles are identified by Vehicle Identification Number on the Applicable Warranties
section 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 2014 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.

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October 2014

Bulletin No.: 14425

PART INFORMATION
Parts required to complete this special coverage are to be obtained from General Motors Customer
Care and Aftersales (GMCC&A).
Part Number
11561547

Description
RIVET

Quantity/Vehicle
10

SERVICE PROCEDURE
Use the following steps to install rivets in the locations that may have unformed clinch joints.
These rivets will need to be primed and painted after installation. On Sonic vehicles, there are two
clinch joints that need to be serviced on the right rear down turned flange in addition to the front
area.
NOTE: Use extreme care to protect the outer hood panel from damage when performing theses
repairs. Make sure the work area that the hood is placed on is clean, padded and supports the
hood in a manner that does not dent or damage the outer panel.
1.

Remove the hood from the vehicle. Refer to Hood Replacement in SI. Place the hood on a
suitable work surface.

2.

Remove the hood insulator. Refer to Hood Insulator Replacement in SI.

3.

Locate the clinch joints to be serviced, they are circled in white below.

3971885

Verano Service Locations

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Bulletin No.: 14425

3971886

Sonic Service Locations
Note: On Sonic Vehicles, there are two clinch joint locations on the right rear of the hood in
addition to the eight front locations.

3971920

Sonic Service Locations

3971926

4.

Center punch the clinch joints to be serviced. Use care to center the punch mark.

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October 2014

Bulletin No.: 14425

3971930

5.

Place a drill stop or masking tape at a depth of 15mm on to a 6.8mm drill bit.

3971934

6.

Drill through the clinch joints.

3971939

7.

Clean any burrs or rough edges from the drilled holes.

8.

Ensure all of the raised portion of the clinch joint is removed leaving a flush surface.

9.

Using a vacuum cleaner or similar tool, remove all of the drill shavings from the hood.

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October 2014

Bulletin No.: 14425

3971941

10. *Prepare a small portion of catalyzed primer in a mixing cup.

3971946

11. Dip the tip of the rivet into the primer.

3971948

12. Install the rivet using a rivet gun. Repeat this rivet installation at all of the clinch joint repair
locations. Clean any primer squeeze out before it dries.
13. Check the installed rivets and ensure there are no sharp edges or burrs on the rivet. File
smooth if required.

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October 2014

Bulletin No.: 14425

3971949

14. *Prepare and refinish the area as required.
 Note the gloss level of the under hood finish and adjust the clear coat being applied as
required.
 Use care to preserve the under hood decals, do not remove or replace the decals.
15. Reinstall the hood insulator. Refer to Hood Insulator Replacement in SI.
16. Reinstall the hood. Refer to Hood Replacement in SI.
* Refer to the 2014 GM Approved Refinish Materials booklet (GMW-15406) for specific products.
To access the booklet, go to www.genuinegmparts.com. Click on Collision Repair. From this
page, Click on Paint Shop. Select 2014 GM Approved Refinish Materials. In Canada, the GM
Approved Refinish Materials Booklet is also available in GM GlobalConnect by choosing
LIBRARY, SERVICE and then PAINT SHOP.
COURTESY TRANSPORTATION – For US and Canada
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 ZREG
transaction type, unless noted otherwise.
Labor
Code
9900088

Description
Install Service Rivets, Paint Hood Underside as Required (inc.
paint mix time)

Labor
Time
2.1

Net
Item
*

* The amount identified in Net Item should reflect the actual cost of the paint and material allowance
(GH).

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Bulletin No.: 14425

CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
General Motors will notify customers of this special coverage on their vehicles (see copy of typical
customer letter included with this bulletin - actual divisional letter may vary slightly).

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 vehicl e. 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/retailer for information on
whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

We Support
Voluntary Technician
Certification

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October 2014

Bulletin No.: 14425
November 2014

Dear General Motors Customer:
As the owner of a Buick Verano or Chevrolet Sonic, your satisfaction with our product is very
important to us.
This letter is intended to make you aware that certain Buick Verano or Chevrolet Sonic vehicles
may have a condition where some of the hood clinch joints may have been manufactured out of
specification. These hood clinch joints secure the hood striker reinforcement plate to the inner
hood panel. The long-term durability of the hood may be impacted by clinch joints that are not
manufactured within specification. If a vehicle has this condition, the hood may squeak, rattle,
and/or not properly close.
Do not take your vehicle to your GM dealer as a result of this letter unless you believe that
your vehicle has the condition as described above.
What We Have Done: General Motors is providing owners with additional protection for the
condition described above. If this condition occurs on your 2014 model year Chevrolet Sonic or
Buick Verano within 10 years of the date your vehicle was originally placed in service or 150,000
miles (240,000 km), whichever occurs first, the condition will be repaired for you at no charge.
Diagnosis or repair for conditions other than the condition described above is not covered under
this special coverage program.
What You Should Do: If you believe that your vehicle has the condition described above, repairs
and adjustments qualifying under this special coverage must be performed by a General Motors
dealer. You may want to contact your GM dealer to find out how long they will need to have your
vehicle so that you may schedule the appointment at a time that is convenient for you. This will
also allow your dealer to order parts if they are not already in stock. Keep this letter with your other
important glove box literature for future reference.
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

Number

Buick
Chevrolet
Guam
Puerto Rico – English
Puerto Rico – Español
Virgin Islands

1-800-521-7300
1-800-222-1020
65-6267-1752
1-800-496-9992
1-800-496-9993
1-800-496-9994

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

We are sorry for any inconvenience you may experience; however, we have taken this action in the
interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.
Alicia S. Boler-Davis
Sr. Vice President
Global Quality & Customer Experience
Enclosure
14425