14340B

Bulletin No.: 14340B
Date: July 2014
Recall Bulletin
PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL
SUBJECT:
Incomplete Weld on the Seat Hook Bracket Assembly
MODELS:
2013-2014 Buick Encore - Only Inspect Power Seat(s) on this Model (*)
2013-2014 Cadillac ATS
2014 Cadillac CTS Sedan (VIN A)
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013-2014 Chevrolet Trax - Only Inspect Power Seat(s) on this Model (*)
2014 Chevrolet SS
2014 Chevrolet Caprice PPV
2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2014 GMC Sierra 1500
2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 HD
2015 GMC Sierra 2500/3500 HD
The service procedure in this bulletin has been revised to specify that only power seat
assemblies on the 2013-2014 Buick Encore and 2013-2014 Chevrolet Trax require inspection.
For these two models, only power seats require inspection because these manual seats contain
seat frames that are produced by a different supplier and do not contain the seat hook welds
described in this document. In some cases, these two models may be equipped with one power
seat and one manual seat so the recall still applies because the power seat still requires
inspection. It has also been updated to clarify what an obvious skip or gap in the weld is. Please
discard all copies of bulletin 14340A.
It is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle or any new or used item
of motor vehicle equipment (including a tire) covered by this notification under a sale or lease
until the defect or noncompliance is remedied.
All involved vehicles that are in dealer inventory must be held and not delivered to customers,
dealer traded, or used for demonstration purposes until the repair contained in this bulletin has
been performed on the vehicle.
CONDITION
General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in the
vehicles in the above model list. Certain vehicles may have been built with an incomplete weld
on the seat hook bracket assembly, for either front seat. If the weld is incomplete and the
assembly is exposed to a high load condition the hook may separate from the seat track,
increasing the risk of occupant injury in a crash.
Copyright 2014 General Motors. All Rights Reserved.
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July 2014
Bulletin No.: 14340B
CORRECTION
Dealers will inspect the weld on the seat hook bracket and, if necessary, replace the lower seat
track.
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, or
sent directly to export dealers. 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 recall is a violation of law in several
states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this report to the followup necessary to complete this recall.
PART INFORMATION
Parts required to complete this recall are to be obtained from General Motors Customer Care
and Aftersales (GMCC&A) by ordering the replacement part number listed in the parts catalog
for the VIN being serviced. Please refer to your “involved vehicles listing” before ordering parts.
Parts should be ordered on a CSO = Customer Special Order.
Important: It is estimated that less than 1% of involved vehicles will require Seat Cushion Frame
replacement. Due to this and limited initial parts availability, dealers are encouraged
not to order recall parts for use as shelf stock. Parts should only be ordered when
it is necessary to replace the Seat Cushion Frame because of a failed inspection.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Seat Frame Mounting Hook Weld Inspection Procedure:
*Important: Both rails on both front seats must be inspected unless working on a 2013-2014
Buick Encore or 2013-2014 Chevrolet Trax equipped with a manual seat. For these two
models, only power seats require inspection because these manual seats contain seat frames
that are produced by a different supplier and do not contain the seat hook welds described in
this document. In some cases, these two models may be equipped with one power seat and
one manual seat so the recall still applies because the power seat still requires inspection.
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July 2014
Bulletin No.: 14340B
3960104
Important: Use the following steps to inspect the left and right front seat front mounting hook
welds located in the area shown above (*).
3963504
The weld should be a continuous U shape with one side longer than the other (the actual seat
hook weld is on the underside of the rail but the weld penetration is visible from the top, which
is what is inspected during this procedure).
Important: In some cases, it may also be necessary to follow SI procedures to remove some
of the seat cushion trim and/or seat track trim for a better view of the weld area shown above.
A full size pick up truck is shown in the photos for this procedure. Other models may appear
slightly different and contain additional trim.
1.
Move both front seats to the rear most position (*).
2.
Clean any grease from the inspection area using a shop rag.
Note: On vehicles equipped with power seats, the inspection area is under the threaded rods
on the seat track.
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Bulletin No.: 14340B
3960106
Note: The passenger seat has black plastic collars around the threaded seat adjuster rods.
Use a screwdriver to push the collars rearward on the rod to allow the weld inspection. The
collars will reposition themselves into the correct location when the power seat is cycled to the
full forward position.
Important: In some cases, it can be difficult to see the weld if insufficient lighting is used
and/or if there is still grease on the weld area. If it is hard to see the weld, try to use a
different/brighter type of light and ensure that the area is clean.
3963505
3. Illuminate the inspection area with a flashlight. Inspect the weld and ensure there are no
obvious skips or gaps. For example, if the weld has an inconsistent appearance and/or texture
but it contains metal from one end to the other, it is not an obvious skip/gap. An example of an
obvious skip/gap would be if metal was actually missing from part of the weld. Using a ruler,
measure the length of the weld penetrations on the seat track.




Ensure the short weld length is a minimum of 35 mm (1.38”) in length (1).
Ensure the long weld length is a minimum of 51 mm (2.0”) in length (2).
Ensure the cross car weld connects to both of the parallel welds (3).
Repeat this inspection on all four front seat tracks (*).
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Bulletin No.: 14340B
4. If all of the welds pass the inspection, the repair is complete. If any of the welds do not
meet the specification, proceed to the Seat Cushion Frame Replacement section below.
Seat Cushion Frame Replacement:
If the vehicle fails the seat frame mounting hook weld inspection above, it will be necessary to
replace the related seat cushion frame by ordering the standard replacement part number
listed in the parts catalog for the VIN being serviced. Refer to Driver or Passenger Seat
Cushion Frame Replacement in SI for replacement procedure.
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 ZFAT
transaction type, unless noted otherwise.
Labor
Code
Description
9100752** Inspect Front Seat Mounting Hook Welds – Inspection Only - No
Repair Necessary (Base Inspection Time)
Replace Driver or Passenger Seat Cushion Frame – Silverado / Sierra
/ Caprice PPV
Replace Driver or Passenger Seat Cushion Frame – ATS
9100753** Replace Driver or Passenger Seat Cushion Frame – CTS Sedan (VIN
A)
Replace Driver or Passenger Seat Cushion Frame – Encore / Trax /
Chevrolet SS
Replace Driver or Passenger Seat Cushion Frame – ELR
Replace Both Seat Cushion Frames – Silverado / Sierra / Caprice PPV
Replace Both Seat Cushion Frames – ATS
9100754** Replace Both Seat Cushion Frames – CTS Sedan (VIN A)
Replace Both Seat Cushion Frames – Encore / Trax / Chevrolet SS
Replace Both Seat Cushion Frames – ELR
Labor
Time
0.3*
1.4
2.2
2.3
1.1
1.7
2.6
4.2
4.4
2.0
3.2
* Both rails on both front seats must be inspected unless working on a 2013-2014 Buick
Encore or 2013-2014 Chevrolet Trax equipped with a manual seat. For these two models,
only power seats require inspection because these manual seats contain seat frames that are
produced by a different supplier and do not contain the seat hook welds described in this
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Bulletin No.: 14340B
document. In some cases, these two models may be equipped with one power seat and one
manual seat so the recall still applies because the power seat still requires inspection.
**All labor operation times above include time for base inspection. In situations where it is
necessary to remove any additional seat cushion and/or seat frame trim for a better view of the
welds, add an additional 0.1 hour per seat to the related labor operation time.
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION – For US and Canada
General Motors will notify customers of this recall on their vehicle
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION – For Export
Letters will be sent to known owners of record located within areas covered by the US National
Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
DEALER RECALL RESPONSIBILITY – For US and Export (US States, Territories,
and Possessions)
It is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle or any new or used item
of motor vehicle equipment (including a tire) covered by this notification under a sale or lease
until the defect or noncompliance is remedied.
The US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act provides that each vehicle that is subject
to a recall of this type must be adequately repaired within a reasonable time after the customer
has tendered it for repair. A failure to repair within sixty days after tender of a vehicle is prima
facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time. If the condition is not adequately
repaired within a reasonable time, the customer may be entitled to an identical or reasonably
equivalent vehicle at no charge or to a refund of the purchase price less a reasonable allowance
for depreciation. To avoid having to provide these burdensome remedies, every effort must be
made to promptly schedule an appointment with each customer and to repair their vehicle as
soon as possible. In the recall notification letters, customers are told how to contact the US
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration if the recall is not completed within a reasonable
time.
DEALER RECALL RESPONSIBILITY – All
All unsold new vehicles in dealers' 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 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 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.
In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this recall enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your
dealership 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.
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July 2014
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 benefit from the information.
Bulletin No.: 14340B
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