This morning, on the way to work, I got a call from OnStar informing me that there was a very important recall on my vehicle and I should arrange to have the recall repair done at a GM dealer ASAP. The OnStar rep would not tell me what the recall was for but was insistant that I take it to a dealer for repairs ASAP.
So, when I got to work I called my dealer and yep, there is a recall. It is for Noise in Front End in Cold Weather.
Recall Bulletin: #09203 and it is requires the dealer to install new lower ball joints and realign the vehicle.
Only certain VINs are included in the recall and the recall expires 12/1. I have never heard of a recall having an expiration date.
Anyway, call your local dealer. Give them you VIN and see if your car is included in the recall.
Ball joint failure can be catastrophic. Maybe that is what happened to the LR GXP that was totaled in Ohio.
Thanks for the headsup. I just got off the phone with my local dealer and he stated that it was a Service Bulletin (diff ?) and that if it occurs in extreme cold weather to come in and have the dealer look at it. If it can be duplicated, then the dealer should order the parts from GM.
My VIN falls under the bulletin but down here we wont get so cold. He said there wasnt anything to do unless the problem occurs.
Where to go from here? Just leave it until it makes noise?
GM says the cold weather is the cause. 2009 G8s that have never seen cold weather have the issue.
There are also G8s with successive failures.
The CS Campaign and TSB are different.
Campaign - add boots to control arms and replace any arm with symptoms.
As long as you are under warranty, you might be better off
skipping the campaign for the boots.
The TSB on the other hand says to replace all four control arms if the symptoms occur & the customer has NOT had the campaign done.
GM says the cold weather is the cause. 2009 G8s that have never seen cold weather have the issue.
There are also G8s with successive failures.
The CS Campaign and TSB are different.
Campaign - add boots to control arms and replace any arm with symptoms.
As long as you are under warranty, you might be better off
skipping the campaign for the boots.
The TSB on the other hand says to replace all four control arms if the symptoms occur & the customer has NOT had the campaign done.
Can I just tell/demand the dealer to perform the TSB on my GXP? Do they have to listen or wait for an issue to show up? Do you have a strategy to get this done?
I'm pretty sure procedure must be followed unless you have a personal relationship with your dealer. While it's effective, Campaign first. GM believes new boots
prevents premature ball joint wear. The campaign however is only til December 1st. After that the TSB directs the warranty repair.
Just gotten mine in yesterday. Called the dealer and they said "do you have any problems with your car?" I said yes about 6 that you keep blowing me off from doing the work.
He said when you hear the noise bring it in. WTF Does that mean?
What a bunch of FKG tools! Same old GM BS. I came back to GM figuring they will better serve their customers...LMFAO! Man I should have known better!
__________________ 2009 White Hot G8 GT Onyx/Red Sport/Prem. n/roof
Intake: Volant CAI Exhaust: Borla Cat Back
Tune: SC Cortex
Tint: 20% Illegal All around
Other: Hood Scoop Mod /GXP Front Fascia /GXP Rear Diffuser 1 black 1 white/ Rotofab rad cover/6000k HID lows & 25W 5202 HID Fogs
"Never mind that S*** ...Here comes Mongo!"
"Blazing Saddles"
Just gotten mine in yesterday. Called the dealer and they said "do you have any problems with your car?" I said yes about 6 that you keep blowing me off from doing the work.
He said when you hear the noise bring it in. WTF Does that mean?
What a bunch of FKG tools! Same old GM BS. I came back to GM figuring they will better serve their customers...LMFAO! Man I should have known better!
Go to a different dealership. You don't have to stick with the one from which you purchased the car and put up with their BS.
Went to my local dealer today and was told the don't have the tool yet to change the seals. I guess I'll be getting seals rather than complete arm replacements. They told me nobody locally has the tools and that they are due in the third week of November.
My car doesn't exhibit any clunking etc. but the dealer didn't ask either.
Go to a different dealership. You don't have to stick with the one from which you purchased the car and put up with their BS.
I just called another dealer this morning and sure enough they told me to get her in asap so they can diagnose the issue and get the parts ordered. The service manager said these should be taken care of before the problem starts. It has been freezing at night the last few nights.
I plan on bringing a couple dozen donuts and a **** load of coffee for all of them! This is my 3rd dealer now.
__________________ 2009 White Hot G8 GT Onyx/Red Sport/Prem. n/roof
Intake: Volant CAI Exhaust: Borla Cat Back
Tune: SC Cortex
Tint: 20% Illegal All around
Other: Hood Scoop Mod /GXP Front Fascia /GXP Rear Diffuser 1 black 1 white/ Rotofab rad cover/6000k HID lows & 25W 5202 HID Fogs
"Never mind that S*** ...Here comes Mongo!"
"Blazing Saddles"
Hey guys, this appears to be a definite serious recall. Not some sort of Service Bulletin that may or may not have to be done.
I got called by OnStar again this morning saying that I need to get my car in for this recall ASAP. The rep even offering to have the car towed to the nearest dealer immediately. The person stopped short of telling me NOT to drive the car anymore.
That is two days in a row that OnStar has called insisting that I get my car to the nearest dealer for recall repairs ASAP. I don't think OnStar/GM would be doing that if there wasn't a chance for major part failure resulting in an accident.
The OnStar rep still would not tell me what the recall was for. But, I have an appointment in the morning to drop the car off at the selling dealer to perform the ball joint replacement. The dealer meantioned nothing about putting "booties" on my ball joints. (that sounds dirty). But, the dealer said only certain VINs are getting this recall replacement and GM wants the cars off the road until the recall is done.
I will find out more tomorrow morning when I am at the dealer and will post.
I hope I'm not being misinterpreted here. If a car exhibits these symptoms it should be brought in.
If a car isn't, it may be ok to wait and get all 4 arms replaced per TSB once CSC runs out.
This is a known issue. However I lack confidence in the way GM is addressing it. Making up a root cause and
re-using one time use bolts is not confidence inspiring.
To anyone having this done - be sure to mention if you've had steering wheel shake. Check for it when you leave.
Condition: CERTAIN 2008-2009 model year Pontiac G8 vehicles may have a condition in which the sealing boots on the front suspension lower control arm ball joints may not seal correctly in extreme cold temperatures. The material of the boot may become rigid in cold temperatures and could allow contaminants to enter the boot. This could cause premature wear of the ball joint, which could result in clunking or rattling noise when the vehcile is driven over rough roads, wheels out of alignment and/or premature tire wear.
Correction: Dealers are to repair the vehice prior to the cold temperature season to prevent the possibility of the condition occurring.
Vehicles Involved: Involved are CERTAIN 2008-2009 model year Pontiac G8 vehicles built within these VIN breakpoints:
YEAR 2008 MODEL G8 FROM: 8L106744 THROUGH: 8L973488
YEAR 2009 MODEL G8 FROM: 9L142659 THTOUGH: 9L320768
Important: Dealers are to confirm vehicle eligibility prior to beginning repairs by using GM Vehicle Inquiry System. Not all vehicles within the above VIN breakpoints may be involved.
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 through the GM GlobalConnect Recall Reports. Dealers will not have a report available if they have no involved vehicles currently assigned.
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G8 Recall - Ball Joints??
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