Tracker 2WD L4-2.0L VIN C (1999)
Technical Service Bulletin # 06186
Date: 071017
Campaign - Front Suspension Crossmember Corrosion
Subject:
Special Coverage Adjustment - Front Suspension Crossmember Corrosion
# 06186 - (10/17/2007)
Models:
1999-2004 CHEVROLET TRACKER
CURRENTLY OR PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE,
MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO,
PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, OR IN THE PROVINCES OF
LABRADOR, NEW BRUNSWICK, NEWFOUNDLAND, NOVA SCOTIA, ONTARIO, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, AND QUEBEC
Due to part availability, this special coverage is being administered in phases. The first phase will consist of 1999 and 2000 model year vehicles.
Customers of 2001 - 2004 model year vehicles will not receive their notification letter until some time in the future. This, however, does not preclude
them from presenting their vehicle for repair if they are experiencing this condition. In such cases, dealers should perform the inspection/repair and
submit a claim following the instructions contained in this special coverage bulletin.
In other words, this inspection/repair should be performed at no cost to the customer even though they may not have yet received their notification letter.
Under no circumstance should these customers be asked to pay for the repair and then advised to seek reimbursement from GM when their notification
letter arrives.
You will be notified as additional phases are released.
Breakpoints listed in this bulletin cover vehicles in phase one only, which are the 1999 and 2000 model year vehicles. As additional phases are released,
the breakpoints will be updated in SI.
Condition
Some 1999-2004 model year Chevrolet Tracker vehicles have a front suspension crossmember that did not receive adequate corrosion protection. The
result of this condition may be most noticeable on vehicles driven in areas where rust is most common, such as areas where salt is used to control snow
and ice. The corrosion may advance and cause rust-through perforation of the crossmember in the area of the left and/or right front lower control arm
attachment brackets. As the corrosion progresses, the crossmember will become thinner and the perforations will grow in size. If there are a substantial
amount of large perforations, the left and/or right front lower control arm attachment brackets will become weakened and begin to flex. If this occurs, the
customer may notice front tire wobble, steering looseness, vehicle pull to one side, front end noises (clunk, bang, rattle, etc), vehicle shaking, or steering
wheel rotation when shifting from reverse to drive and drive to reverse.
Corrosion may progress over time until the front lower control arm bracket separates from the crossmember.
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. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.
Dealers are to inspect the crossmember. If the crossmember shows signs of advanced corrosion or perforation caused by corrosion, the crossmember is to
be replaced.
If the inspection indicates that the crossmember does not need replacement, customers may bring the vehicle back to the dealership every 12 months for
another inspection.
Diagnosis or repair for conditions other than the condition described above is not covered under this special coverage program.
For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after October 17, 2007, 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 17, 2007, must be
submitted to the Service Contract provider.
