Product Safety - Rear Suspension Ball Joint Separation (CANADA ONLY)

Due to part availability, this recall is being administered in phases. This phase consists of 2001 and 2002 model year vehicles. You will be notified as additional phases are released.

General Motors has decided that in Canada a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2002-2007 Buick Rendezvous (FWD & AWD), 2005-2006 Buick Terraza (FWD & AWD), 2005-2006 Chevrolet Uplander (AWD), 2002-2004 Chevrolet Venture (AWD), 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette (AWD), 2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek (AWD), 2002-2004 Pontiac Montana (AWD), 2005-2006 Pontiac Montana SV6 (AWD), and 2005-2006 Saturn Relay (AWD) vehicles. If vehicles with an independent rear suspension are operated at extreme cold temperatures and on rough roads, with increased suspension travel, they may experience water and salt getting past the ball joint seal. The combination of these conditions may then lead to corrosion and premature ball joint wear. If the ball joint wear progresses to the point of separation from the lower control arm, a loss of vehicle control may occur.

Dealers/retailers are to replace both rear ball joints.

Involved are certain 2002-2007 Buick Rendezvous (FWD & AWD), 2005-2006 Buick Terraza (FWD & AWD), 2005-2006 Chevrolet Uplander (AWD), 2002-2004 Chevrolet Venture (AWD), 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette (AWD), 2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek (AWD), 2002-2004 Pontiac Montana (AWD), 2005-2006 Pontiac Montana SV6 (AWD), and 2005-2006 Saturn Relay (AWD) vehicles built within these VIN breakpoints:

Important: Dealers/retailers are to confirm vehicle eligibility prior to beginning repairs by using GMVIS. Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.

For dealers/retailers 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 through GMinfoNet Recall Reports. Dealers/retailers 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.

Parts required to complete this recall are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMSPO). 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.

1. Remove the lower ball joint assembly from the lower control arm. Refer to the Lower Ball Joint Replacement procedure in SI.
2. Install the lower ball joint assembly into the lower control arm. Refer to the Lower Ball Joint Replacement procedure in SI.

Customer requests for reimbursement of previously paid repairs for the recall condition are to be submitted to the dealer/retailer by October 31, 2007.

All reasonable customer paid receipts should be considered for reimbursement. The amount to be reimbursed will be limited to the amount the repair would have cost if completed by an authorized General Motors dealer/retailer.

When a customer requests reimbursement, they must provide the following:

Claims for customer reimbursement on previously paid repairs are to be submitted as required by WINS.

Important: Refer to the GM Service Policies and Procedures Manual, section 1.6.2, for specific procedures regarding customer reimbursement verification.

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 Warranty. The availability of courtesy transportation to customers whose vehicles are within the warranty coverage period and involved in a product recall is very important in maintaining customer satisfaction. Dealers/retailers 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/retailers should refer to the General Motors Service Policies and Procedures Manual for courtesy transportation guidelines.

Submit a Product Recall Claim with the information indicated below:

Refer to the General Motors WINS Claims Processing Manual for details on Product Recall Claim Submission.

General Motors will notify customers of this recall on their vehicle (see copy of customer letter included with this bulletin).

All unsold new vehicles in dealer/retailer’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/retailers 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/retailer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer/retailer. 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. 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/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.

Dear General Motors Customer:

General Motors has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2002 2007 Buick Rendezvous (FWD & AWD), 2005-2006 Buick Terraza (FWD & AWD), 2005-2006 Chevrolet Uplander (AWD), 2002-2004 Chevrolet Venture (AWD), 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette (AWD), 2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek (AWD), 2002-2004 Pontiac Montana (AWD), and 2005-2006 Pontiac Montana SV6 (AWD) vehicles. The independent rear suspension of your vehicle, which provides a smoother ride by permitting controlled up and down travel of the rear wheels as your vehicle goes over bumps and potholes, has two lower control arm ball joints. If your vehicle is operated at extreme cold temperatures and on rough roads, water and salt may get past the ball joint seals. Corrosion and premature ball joint wear can then occur. If the ball joint wear progresses to the point of separation from the lower control arm, a loss of vehicle control may occur.

To prevent this from occurring, your GM dealer will replace both rear ball joints. This service will be performed for you at no charge .

You may be contacted by a dealer other than the dealer who sold or is currently servicing your vehicle. Please be advised that you may take your vehicle to the General Motors dealership of your choice to have the recall service work completed. Please contact your dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date.

This letter identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this letter to your dealer will assist their Service personnel in completing the necessary correction to your vehicle in the shortest possible time.

If you have already paid for some or all of the cost to correct the condition in this recall, and you have not received reimbursement under a Vehicle Service Contract, you should contact your dealer to seek reimbursement. Please provide your dealer with your original paid receipts or invoices verifying the repair, the amount charged, proof of payment, the date of payment of those charges, and proof of ownership of the vehicle at the time of the repair. Your request for reimbursement, including the information and documents mentioned above, must be received by your dealer by October 31, 2007. Reimbursement may be limited to the amount the repair would have cost if completed by an authorized General Motors dealer.

We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your safety and continued satisfaction with our products.

Customer Support Department

General Motors of Canada Limited

06089

Dear Saturn Owner:

General Motors has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2005-2006 Saturn Relay (AWD) vehicles. The independent rear suspension of your vehicle, which provides a smoother ride by permitting controlled up and down travel of the rear wheels as your vehicle goes over bumps and potholes, has two lower control arm ball joints. If your vehicle is operated at extreme cold temperatures and on rough roads, water and salt may get past the ball joint seals. Corrosion and premature ball joint wear can then occur. If the ball joint wear progresses to the point of separation from the lower control arm, a loss of vehicle control may occur.

To prevent this from occurring, your Saturn retailer will replace both rear ball joints. This service will be performed for you at no charge.

You may be contacted by a retailer other than the retailer who sold or is currently servicing your vehicle. Please be advised that you may take your vehicle to the Saturn facility of your choice to have the recall service work completed. Please contact your Saturn retailer as soon as possible to arrange a service date.

This letter identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this letter to your retailer will assist their Service personnel in completing the necessary correction to your vehicle in the shortest possible time.

If you have already paid for some or all of the cost to correct the condition in this recall, and you have not received reimbursement under a Vehicle Service Contract, you should contact your retailer to seek reimbursement. Please provide your retailer with your original paid receipts or invoices verifying the repair, the amount charged, proof of payment, the date of payment of those charges, and proof of ownership of the vehicle at the time of the repair. Your request for reimbursement, including the information and documents mentioned above, must be received by your retailer by October 31, 2007. Reimbursement may be limited to the amount the repair would have cost if completed by an authorized Saturn retailer.

We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your safety and continued satisfaction with our products.

Customer Support Department

06089