Transmission Shift Cable Failure

Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch

Summary

On April 29, 2014, GM submitted a Part 573 defect information report initiating Safety Recall 14V-224 to remedy the subject vehicles equipped with four speed automatic transmissions manufactured before October 31, 2007.On May 22, 2014 GM expanded 14V-224 to include MY 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibu/Malibu Maxx and MY 2005 - 2008 Pontiac G6 (total recall population 1,131,113).GM will install a replacement shift cable assembly to remedy the affected vehicles.The subject shift cable's protective outer conduit (jacket) deteriorates with time and use.Jacket deterioration could lead to a tear of the conduit material which allows moisture to reach the lay wires, potentially causing them to corrode and weaken.The lay wires provide support to the inner core wire that performs the shift detent actuation of the transmission.Without sufficient lay wire support, the shifter position inside the vehicle and the actual transmission gear selection may not align.A complete loss of shift function can occur when the core wire fractures and fails fully.The failure data supports that the problem affects subject vehicles equipped with four-speed automatic transmissions. Aura vehicles manufactured with other transmission types use a different shift cable assembly, as do four speed equipped Aura's manufactured after October 31, 2007.Transmission shift cable failure can cause multiple shift function failure modes.One involves an engine no-start condition where the gear shifter is in the park position but the transmission is actually in drive or reverse gear (engine starting is inhibited in this circumstance).A second involves non-powered vehicle movement where the driver turns the engine off and moves the shifter to park but the transmission fails to engage the park gear; the vehicle may roll away if the driver exits without setting the park brake.A third involves powered vehicle movements, where the driver moves the gearshift but the transmission fails to engage the intended gear, and the engine remains running.For instance the driver can shift to park but the transmission may remain in drive or reverse, resulting in vehicle movement when the driver does not expect it.Another failure involves the driver shifting to reverse but the transmission remains in drive, resulting in the vehicle moving in a direction opposite to that the driver intended.Another failure mode results in complete loss of shifting.Both NHTSA and GM have received complaints alleging one or more of these failure scenarios, and in some cases consumers report experiencing multiple problems over the course of several drive cycles.In one incident, the vehicle unexpectedly moved forward after the driver placed the gear selector in park resulting in the vehicle striking a fixed object (porch railing).Among the crashes identified above, nine involved property damage and two involved minor injuries when the vehicles rolled and struck the driver as they exited the vehicle.The recall action initiated by the manufacturer appears to address the safety risks of concern to ODI.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The VOQs cited above can be viewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10274914, 10404010, 10432953, 10446285, 10458417, 10495979, 10547333, 10354195, 10404496, 10435560, 10447211, 10461922, 10498567, 10547683, 10374834, 10405577, 10435633, 10447303, 10464207, 10513116, 10553840, 10378975, 10409341, 10435653, 10449759, 10464388, 10513875, 10554335, 10382559, 10411913, 10435677, 10452089, 10467958, 10516001, 10565628, 10383044, 10412157, 10435996, 10452662, 10478887, 10522732, 10566451, 1039013

Documents (25)

• OPENING RESUME APPROVED
• 57025 - GM 4-29-2013 ATTACHMENT 1, Q17
• 57024 - GM 4-29-2013 ATTACHMENT 1, Q12
• 57390 - ODI 3-7-2013 LETTER TO GM REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
• 57391 - GM 5-14-2013 RESPONSE LETTER TO ODI
• IR TO MFR - TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE. * 03/11/2013 * P
• 51602 - GM 05-04-12, ATTACHMENT Q_03
• MFR RESPONSE EXTENSION - PARTIAL EXTENSION GRANTED UNTIL MAY 14, 2013. * 04/24/2013 * P
• 56233 - ODI MEMO 4-24-2013 EXTENSION MEMO FOR GM
• 57020 - GM RESPONSE LETTER 04-29-2013 TO ODI
• 57395 - GM 5-14-2013 ATTACHMENT (Q_9, 15, [18, 21, 24 &27] 19, 22, 25 & 28)
• 57392 - GM 5-14-2013 ATTACHMENT Q_03_ATTACHMENT
• 59805 - GM 11-2011 SERVICE BULLETIN, 11175 + SPECIAL + COVERAGE + BULLETIN + AND + OWNER+LETTER
• 59806 - GM 1-2013 RECALL BULLETIN, 12106A SAFETY BULLETIN AND OWNER LETTER
• 59807 - GM 2-11-13, 11175A SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT -SHIFT LEVER, 11175A 2-11-13
• IR TO MFR - TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE. * 03/15/2012 * p
• 57022 - GM 4-29-2013 ATTACHMENT 1, Q7
• 51613 - GM 05-04-12, ATTACHMENT, Q_08_A, SUMMARY ALL ENG AND TRANS IPTV SMP 03072112-P [EXCEL DATEBASE]
• MFR IR RESPONSE DATA
• CLOSING RESUME APPROVED
• MFR IR RESPONSE DATA
• MFR IR RESPONSE DATA
• 51601 - GM 05-04-12, ATTACHMENT Q_01_PRODUCTION DATA [ACCESS DATEBASE]
• 51603 - GM 05-04-12, ATTACHMENT Q_03_REQUEST NUMBER TWO DATA [ACCESS DATEBASE]
• 51604 - GM 05-04-12, ATTACHMENT Q_05_WARRANTY DATA [ACCESS DATEBASE]

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