Campaign - Upper Ball Joint Separation: Overview
File In Section: Special PolicyBulletin No.: 01049
Date: November, 2001
SPECIAL POLICY
SUBJECT:
01049 - SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT - UPPER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT
MODELS:
1996-1997 CHEVROLET BLAZER, GMC JIMMY, AND OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA
INVOLVED CUSTOMERS WILL BE NOTIFIED IN PHASES.
CONDITION
General Motors has received reports that some owners of certain 1996 and 1997 4-wheel drive Blazer/Jimmy/Bravada vehicles have had to pay for replacement of the upper ball joints that have separated. Vehicle owners of these 1996 and 1997 4-wheel drive Blazer, Jimmy, and Bravada vehicles are being sent a letter making a special policy available to them. This special policy will cover upper ball joint replacement if the customer followed the recommended maintenance schedule for the chassis lubrication and the vehicle still requires the replacement of the upper ball joints due to separation. Involved vehicles are certain vehicles within a 14 month-build time frame.
For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after November 27, 2001 are covered by this special policy and must be submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to November 27, 2001 must be submitted to the Service Contract provider.
SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT
This special policy covers the condition described above for a period of 8 years or 100,000 miles (161,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership. The upper ball joint replacement, due to separation, will be made at no charge to the customer during this period.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are certain 1996-1997 Chevrolet Blazers, GMC Jimmys, and Oldsmobile Bravadas built within the VIN breakpoints shown.
PARTS INFORMATION
Parts required to complete this special policy are to be obtained from General Motors Service Parts Operations (GMPSO).
Important
All parts are to be returned to the Warranty Parts Center (WPC). Submission of the warranty claim will generate the request from the WPC authorizing the part return.
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
Customers will be notified of this special policy on their vehicles by General Motors (see copy of typical customer letter is shown in this bulletin - actual divisional letter may vary slightly).
CLAIM INFORMATION
For vehicles repaired under the terms of this special policy, submit a claim with the information shown.
REIMBURSEMENT
Customer requests for reimbursement of previously paid repairs to replace the upper ball joints due to separation are to be submitted prior to or by November 30, 2002 (this time limitation may be longer depending upon the law in your state). Repairs must have occurred within the eight (8) years of the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, or 100,000 miles (161,000 km), whichever occurs first.
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 deductible), a description of the repair, and the person or entity performing the repair.
Customers from the States of California, Connecticut, Virginia, and Wisconsin must submit requests for reimbursement directly to (Divisions) per instructions in the owner letter.
If the work was done by someone other than a GM dealership, the amount of reimbursement will be limited to the amount that the repair would have cost GM to have it completed by a GM dealership.
DISCLAIMER