For 1990-2009 cars

# Product Safety - Steering Wheel Retaining Nut

Subject: | 98075 -- Steering Wheel Retaining Nut

Models: | 1999 Oldsmobile Alero and Pontiac Grand Am Vehicles

The Highway Safety Act, as amended, provides that each vehicle which is subject to a recall campaign 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 (60) 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. As you will see in reading the attached copy of the divisional letter that is being sent to customers, the customers are being instructed to contact the appropriate Customer Assistance Center if their dealer does not remedy the condition within five (5) days of the mutually agreed upon service date. If the condition is not remedied within a reasonable time, they are instructed on how to contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

### Defect Involved

General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1999 Oldsmobile Alero and Pontiac Grand Am model vehicles. These vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the steering wheel becomes loose on the steering shaft due to the steering wheel retaining nut not being tightened to specified torque. If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a vehicle crash could result without prior warning.

To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, dealers are to inspect the steering wheel retaining nut for correct torque and tighten as necessary.

### Vehicles Involved

Involved are the following 1999 Oldsmobile Alero and Pontiac Grand Am model vehicles:

#### Oldsmobile Vehicles Involved

1G3NF52E5XC339114 | 1G3NL52T3XC339250 | 1G3NL52E4XC339338
1G3NF52E7XC339163 | 1G3NK12T0XC339251 | 1G3NL52T8XC339339
1G3NF52E4XC339167 | 1G3NK52T3XC339252 | 1G3NF52E3XC339340
1G3NK12T2XC339168 | 1G3NL52T0XC339254 | 1G3NF52E5XC339341
1G3NL52T9XC339169 | 1G3NK52T4XC339258 | 1G3NL52TXXC339343
1G3NL52T5XC339170 | 1G3NF12E8XC339259 | 1G3NL52T1XC339344
1G3NL5ST0XC339173 | 1G3NF52E5XC339260 | 1G3NL52T5XC339346
1G3NL12E1XC339175 | 1G3NK52T8XC339263 | 1G3NK52T7XC339349
1G3NL52T6XC339176 | 1G3NF52E2XC339264 | 1G3NL52T9XC339351
1G3NF52E0XC339179 | 1G3NL52E9XC339268 | 1G3NL52T0XC339352
1G3NF52E9XC339181 | 1G3NF52E1XC339269 | 1G3NF52E1XC339353
1G3NL52T1XC339182 | 1G3NL52T2XC339272 | 1G3NL52T4XC339354
1G3NL52T5XC339184 | 1G3NL52T4XC339273 | 1G3NL52T8XC339356
1G3NL52T7XC339185 | 1G3NF12E4XC339274 | 1G3NK52T6XC339357
1G3NL12E6XC339186 | 1G3NL52T8XC339275 | 1G3NF52E0XC339358
1G3NL52T0XC339187 | 1G3NL12T9XC339276 | 1G3NL52T3XC339359
1G3NL52T2XC339188 | 1G3NF52E0XC339277 | 1G3NL52TXXC339360
1G3NL52T4XC339189 | 1G3NK52TXXC339278 | 1G3NL52T3XC339362
1G3NK52T7XC339190 | 1G3NK52T1XC339279 | 1G3NL52T9XC339365
1G3NL52T4XC339192 | 1G3NL52T7XC339283 | 1G3NK12T8XC339367
1G3NF52E7XC339194 | 1G3NL52T6XC339288 | 1G3NL52T1XC339375
1G3NL52TXXC339195 | 1G3NK52T4XC339289 | 1G3NL52E7XC339379
1G3NL52EXXC339196 | 1G3NF52E3XC339290 | 1G3NF52E4XC339380
1G3NL52T3XC339197 | 1G3NL52T6XC339291 | 1G3NF52E6XC339381
1G3NK52T3XC339199 | 1G3NK52T4XC339292 | 1G3NL52T4XC339385
1G3NL52TXX339200 | 1G3NK12T5XC339293 | 1G3NF52E7XC339387
1G3NF12E7XC339205 | 1G3NF52E2XC339295 | 1G3NK52T6XC339388
1G3NF52EXXC339206 | 1G3NK52T1XC339296 | 1G3NF52E9XC339391
1G3NL52T4XC339208 | 1G3NF52E6XC339297 | 1G3NL52EXXC339392
1G3NL52T6XC339209 | 1G3NF52E8XC339298 | 1G3NF52E8XC339396
1G3NF52E1XC339210 | 1G3NL52T0XC339299 | 1G3NL52T0XC339397
1G3NL52T8XC339213 | 1G3NF52E2XC339300 | 1G3NL12EXXC339398
1G3NL52EXXC399215 | 1G3NF52E6XC339302 | 1G3NL52T7XC339400
1G3NK12T9XC339216 | 1G3NK12T4XC339303 | 1G3NF52E8XC339401
1G3NF52E4XC339220 | 1G3NF52EXXC339304 | 1G3NL52E4XC339405
1G3NF52T9XC339222 | 1G3NL52T2XC339305 | 1G3NL52TXXC339407
1G3NF52EXXC339223 | 1G3NL52T6XC339307 | 1G3NL52T1XC339408
1G3NL12EXXC339224 | 1G3NL52E6XC339308 | 1G3NF12E8XC339410
1G3NL52T6XC339226 | 1G3NL52TXXC339309 | 1G3NL52T7XC339414
1G3NF52E7XC339227 | 1G3NK12T1XC339310 | 1G3NF52E8XC339415
1G3NL52E8XC339228 | 1G3NL52T8XC339311 | 1G3NF52EXXC339416
1G3NL52T1XC339229 | 1G3NF52E2XC339314 | 1G3NF52E5XC339422
1G3NF52E7XC339230 | 1G3NL52E3XC339315 | 1G3NL52E6XC339423
1G3NL12E0XC339233 | 1G3NL52T2XC339319 | 1G3NF52E2XC339426
1G3NF52E4XC339234 | 1G3NF12E7XC339320 | 1G3NL52E7XC339429
1G3NF52E6XC339235 | 1G3NL52T4XC339323 | 1G3NL52T7XC339431
1G3NK52T5XC339236 | 1G3NF52E7XC339325 | 1G3NF52E1XC339434
1G3NR52EXXC339237 | 1G3NL52T1XC339327 | 1G3NL52T1XC339439
1G3NF52E3XC339242 | 1G3NL52T3XC339331 | 1G3NL52T5XC339444
1G3NL52T8XC339244 | 1G3NL52T5XC339332 | 1G3NK12T8XC339448
1G3NL52TXXC339245 | 1G3NL52T7XC339333 | 1G3NF52E3XC339452
1G3NL52T3XC339247 | 1G3NL52T9XC339334 | 1G3NL12T5XC339453
1G3NL52E3XC339248 | 1G3NL12E8XC339335 | 1G3NL52T8XC339454
1G3NF52E6XC339249 | 1G3NF52E1XC339336 | 1G3NF52E0XC339456

#### Pontiac Vehicles Involved

1G2NE52T0XC539355 | 1G2NE52T6XC539392 | 1G2NE52T0XC539436
1G2NE52T6XC539358 | 1G2NE52T8XC539393 | 1G2NE52E0XC539437
1G2NE52E6XC539359 | 1G2NE52TXX539394 | 1G2NE52E0XC539440
1G2NE52T4XC539360 | 1G2NE52E5XC539398 | 1G2NE52T8XC539443
1G2NE52E4XC539361 | 1G2NE52E1XC539401 | 1G2NE52TXX539444
1G2NE52TXX539363 | 1G2NE52E3XC539402 | 1G2NE52EXXC539445
1G2NE52E1XC539365 | 1G2NE52T0XC539405 | 1G2NE52T3XC539446
1G2NE52E3XC539366 | 1G2NE52T2XC539406 | 1G2NE52T5XC539447
1G2NE52E7XC539368 | 1G2NE52T4XC539407 | 1G2NE52T7XC539448
1G2NE52T7XC539370 | 1G2NE52T6XC539408 | 1G2NE52T5XC539450
1G2NE52E7XC539371 | 1G2NE52E6XC539409 | 1G2NE52T7XC539451
1G2NE52T0XC539372 | 1G2NE52T4XC539410 | 1G2NE52T9XC539452
1G2NE52E0XC539373 | 1G2NE52E4XC539411 | 1G2NE52T2XC539454
1G2NE52T4XC539374 | 1G2NE52T1XC539414 | 1G2NE52E3XC539464
1G2NE52T8XC539376 | 1G2NE52T5XC539416 | 1G2NE52T7XC539465
1G2NE52E8XC539377 | 1G2NE52E6XC539426 | 1G2NE52T4XC539469
1G2NE52TXXC539380 | 1G2NE52E1XC539429 | 1G2NE52T2XC539471
1G2NE52T2XC539387 | 1G2NE52E8XC539430 | 1G2NE528XC539475
1G2NE52T2XC539390 |  |

Important: Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through VISS (Vehicle Information Service System) prior to beginning campaign repairs. [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved.]

Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number, customer name and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. The customer name and address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with customers involved in this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the campaign bulletin has no involved vehicles currently assigned.

These dealer listings may contain customer names and addresses obtained from State Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is a violation of law in several states. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to the follow-up necessary to complete this campaign.

### Customer Notification

Customers will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by General Motors (see copy of typical customer letter included with this bulletin - actual divisional letter may vary slightly).

### Dealer Campaign Responsibility

All unsold new vehicles in dealers' possession and subject to this campaign MUST be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this campaign bulletin BEFORE customers take possession of these vehicles.

Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this campaign 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. This could be done by mailing to such customers a copy of the customer letter accompanying this bulletin. Campaign 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 campaign enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, please take the steps necessary to be sure the campaign correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

### Service Procedure

Refer to Sections 9-11 (SIR) and 2-23 (Steering Wheel and Column) of the 1999 Oldsmobile Alero/Pontiac Grand Am Service Manual for additional information about the following service procedures.

1. Disable the SIR system:

1.1. | Turn the ignition key to the OFF position and remove the key.

1.2. | Remove the AIR BAG fuse from the LH instrument panel wiring harness junction block.

1.3. | Remove the Connector Position Assurance (CPA) from the driver's side yellow 2-way connector located above the LH instrument panel wiring harness junction block and disconnect the connector.

1.4. | Remove the Connector Position Assurance (CPA) from the passenger's side yellow 2-way connector located above the RH instrument panel wiring harness junction block and disconnect the connector.

2. Remove the tilt steering wheel lever (Grand Am only).
3. Remove the upper and lower steering column covers (Grand Am only).

Important: For access to the two inflatable restraint module attaching screws on the backside of the steering wheel in the next step, it will be necessary to turn (rotate) the steering wheel.

4. Using a T-27 Torx® head tool, or the equivalent, loosen the two screws that attach the inflatable restraint module to the steering wheel. When loose, the two screws will remain in the steering wheel.
5. Carefully pull the inflatable restraint module away from the steering wheel. Disconnect the two electrical connections for the horn from the steering wheel and disconnect the electrical connector from the backside of the module.
6. Remove the two inflatable restraint module attaching screws from the inside of the steering wheel.
7. Using a torque wrench, inspect and tighten the steering wheel retaining nut.

Tighten
Tighten the retaining nut to 38 N·m (28 lb ft).

8. Install the two inflatable restraint module attaching screws into the backside of the module.

Tighten
Tighten the attaching screws to 10 N·m (89 lb in).

9. Reconnect the two horn electrical connectors to the steering wheel and reconnect the steering column wiring harness connector to the inflatable restraint module.
10. Position the inflatable restraint module on the steering wheel and snap into place by applying forward pressure.
11. Reinstall the upper and lower steering column covers (Grand Am only).
12. Reinstall tilt steering column lever (Grand Am only).
13. Enable the SIR system:

13.1. | Reconnect the passenger's side yellow 2-way connector located above the RH instrument panel wiring harness junction block. Install the Connector Position Assurance (CPA).

13.2. | Reconnect the driver's side yellow 2-way connector located above the LH instrument panel wiring harness junction block. Install the Connector Position Assurance (CPA).

13.3. | Install the AIR BAG fuse in the LH instrument panel wiring harness junction block.

14. Sitting in the driver's seat, leaning against the seat back, turn the ignition switch to the ON position and verify that the AIR BAG warning lamp flashes seven (7) times and then turns OFF.
15. Install the GM Campaign Identification Label.

### Campaign Identification Label

Each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Campaign Bulletin will require a "Campaign Identification Label". Each label provides a space to include the campaign number and the five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the campaign service. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or a ball point pen.

Each "Campaign Identification Label" is to be located on the radiator core support in an area which will be visible when the vehicle is brought in by the customer for periodic servicing. When installing the Campaign Identification Label, be sure to pull the tab to allow the adhesion of the clear protective covering. Additional Campaign Identification Labels can be obtained from VISPAC Incorporated by calling 1-800-269-5100 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Eastern Standard Time). Ask for Item Number S-1015 when ordering.

Apply the "Campaign Identification Label" only on a clean, dry surface.

### Claim Information

Submit a Product Campaign Claim with the information indicated below.

Repair Performed | Part Count | Failed Part No. | Parts Allow | CC-FC | Labor Op | Labor Hours*
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Inspect/tighten steering wheel nut | -- | -- | -- | MA-96 | V0273 | 0.3
Add: Remove and reinstall steering wheel tilt lever and column covers (Applies to Pontiac Grand Am only) | Add: 0.1
* -- For Campaign Administrative Allowance, add 0.1 hours to the "Labor Hours".

Refer to the General Motors Corporation Claims Processing Manual for details on Product Campaign Claim Submission.

December, 1998

Dear <Division(s)> Customer:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

### Reason For This Recall

General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1999 Oldsmobile Alero and Pontiac Grand Am model vehicles. These vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the steering wheel becomes loose on the steering shaft due to the steering wheel retaining nut not being tightened to specified torque. If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a vehicle crash could result without prior warning.

### What Will Be Done

To prevent the possibility of this condition occurring, your dealer will inspect the steering wheel retaining nut for correct torque and tighten as necessary. This service will be performed for you at no charge .

### How Long Will The Repair Take?

The length of time required to perform this inspection and service correction is approximately 30 minutes. Additional time may be required to schedule and process your vehicle. If you dealer has a large number of vehicles awaiting service, this additional time may be significant. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed.

### Contacting Your Dealer

Please contact your dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much time will be needed to schedule, process, and repair your vehicle.

Your dealer is best equipped to obtain parts and provide services to correct your vehicle as promptly as possible. Should your dealer be unable to schedule a service date within a reasonable time, you should contact the appropriate Customer Assistance/Relations Center at the number listed below:

Division | Number | Deaf, Hearing Impaired, or Speech Impaired*
--- | --- | ---
Pontiac | 1-800-762-2737 | 1-800-833-7668
Oldsmobile | 1-800-442-6537 | 1-800-833-6537
* Utilizes Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf/Text Telephones (TDD/TTY)

If, after contacting the appropriate customer assistance center, you are still not satisfied that we have done our best to remedy this condition without charge and within a reasonable time, you may wish to write the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street SW, Washington, DC 20590 or call 1-800-424-9393 (Washington, DC residents use 202-366-0123).

### Customer Reply Card

The enclosed customer reply card identifies your vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the necessary correction in the shortest possible time. If you no longer own this vehicle, please let us know by completing the postage paid reply card and returning it to us.

### Courtesy Transportation

Your dealer will provide you with shuttle service or some other form of courtesy transportation, if required, while your vehicle is at the dealership for this repair. Please refer to your Owner's Manual and your dealer for details on Courtesy Transportation.

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.

<Division(s)>

General Motors Corporation

Enclosure