A couple days ago, I received a recall notice for possible brake light failure for my 2008 Aura XR.

Anybody else get one?

This is recall #13036

 

please post in its entirety.Re-typing would be ideal as it is then locatable via keyword searches.

But not everyone has the time to do that -- a pdf scan is cool too.

Or PM it to me and I'll type it in

 

Oddly enough, that recall also affects most 04-08 Malibus and Pontiac G6... Something to do with the wiring potentially shorting, and causing the light to not work... I look my car in within like a week of buying it...

 

I bought mine used in February. Maybe it took that long for my name to catch up with the v.i.n..

 

Source: Keeping You Safe | Safercar | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) search parameters 2008 Saturn Aura
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RECALL Subject : Brake Lights may or may not Randomly Illuminate , 1 INVESTIGATION(S)

Report Receipt Date: MAY 14, 2014
NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V252000
Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL , EXTERIOR LIGHTING , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
SUMMARY:
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2012 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured May 16, 2003, through October 11, 2012, 2004-2007 Malibu Maxx vehicles manufactured June 25, 2003, through April 5, 2007, 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 vehicles manufactured May 26, 2004, through January 4, 2010, and 2007-2010 Saturn Aura vehicles manufactured April 24, 2006, through May 26, 2009. In the affected vehicles, increased resistance in the Body Control Module (BCM) connection may result in voltage fluctuations in the Brake Apply Sensor (BAS) circuit. These fluctuations can cause one or more of these conditions: the brake lights to illuminate without the brake pedal being pushed; the brake lights to not illuminate when the pedal is pushed; difficulty disengaging the cruise control; moving the gear shifter out of the 'PARK' position without pushing the brake; and disablement of crash avoidance features such as traction control, electronic stability control, and panic braking assist features.

CONSEQUENCE:
Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.

REMEDY:
GM will notify owners, and dealers will attach the wiring harness to the BCM with a spacer, apply dielectric lubricant to both the BCM and harness connector and the BAS and harness connector, and will relearn the brake pedal home position, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed an Interim letter to customers on July 14, 2014. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac), 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn). GM's number for this recall is 13036.

NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to Home | Safercar -- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

 

I finally got around to getting the brake light recall performed on the Aura.

Dealer was having a slow day before the Forth of July weekend, and took me right in. It was done in an hour or so.

But not before trying to get me to trade it in, and sell me a new car. Failing that, tried to sell me on a coolant system flush, Transmission fluid flush, and a throttle body cleaning. It currently has 45k on it, and the owner's manual says not yet. I declined these, and the service manager looked at me like I was insane. (To be fair, I do get that look from others from time to time.)

Should I rethink these services? Or was he just trying to make money for the dealership? Out the door he also mentioned a brake fluid flush. At 8 years old, I could see that.

But I got out for zero dollars, Which was pretty close to what I had on me.

 

Advice for EVERYONE:

NEVER take your car to a dealership in the last calendar week of the month.
The service writers have quotas to meet and will sell you their mother's BP meds if it means making quota. Out comes this flush, that flush, disc brake adjustment and cleaning, oil additives, additives to activate other additives, wiper system reconditioning with full line flush and pump motor diagnostics (which show your pump operating at less than full performance -- because it's been USED), fuel injector service -- this CAN be helpful if it is a real dedicated machine that cleans them out -- but not critical, and wheel alignments, tire balances, tie rod ends that mysteriously went bad after you pulled in, requiring replacement and an wheel alignment......

Folks, please add to the list of ridiculous "END OF THE MONTH SHENANNIGANRY" you've experienced

You went in for a recall. The rest is a joke. They want your car back b/c they know there are 5 more recalls coming down the pike and every single car costs them $ to fix.

Costs less to crush a car than fix it.

 

Honestly, I didn't have quite that issue with my local GM dealer... But, I went in near the beginning of the month and told them in advance to only fix the recalls... However, I went by the other day asking about my air bag system(it has been acting weird with an overweight passenger), and a salesman overheard the conversation and tried selling me any new Chevy he thought he could grab my attention with, under the pretense of making my family safe... I know it's his job(my brother in law just got a job peddling Toyotas), and he has to try, but I'm obviously not looking to replace my 07 Malibu with a 16 Camaro...

However, I experienced just the opposite at the Subaru dealer, the staff was there to help, and actually steered me away from services he didn't think I needed based on vehicle condition, saving me approx. $125... Honestly, with that staff and car, if I could afford the payment 2x over, I would be driving a 15/16 Impreza, like the one my wife drives(except without that lame-a$$ CVT)