New Special Policy for Certain 2006 HHRs
 

You may qualify for this Special Policy. Check the VIN break points.

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/show...=23231&page=11

The letter you will receive
 

Bulletin No.: 09014
September 2009

Dear General Motors Customer:

As the owner of a 2006 model year Chevrolet Cobalt, HHR; Pontiac Pursuit; or Saturn ION vehicle, equipped with a 2.2L 4-cylinder engine, your satisfaction with our product is very important to us. This letter is to make you aware that some 2006 model year Chevrolet Cobalt, HHR; Pontiac
Pursuit; and Saturn ION vehicles, equipped with a 2.2L 4-cylinder engine, may have a condition where, in some instances, the vehicle's engine computer could improperly communicate with certain types of electronic test equipment used to service and test your vehicle. If you live in an
area that has a vehicle emission inspection requirement (sometimes referred to as "smog check"), it is possible that your vehicle's test results could be affected by this condition. Important: Do not take your vehicle to your GM dealer/retailer as a result of this letter unless you are currently unable to pass a vehicle emission test inspection as a result of your engine's computer improperly communicating to the emission test equipment.

What We Have Done: General Motors is providing owners with additional warranty protection for the reprogramming of the engine computer. If your vehicle does not pass a state/provincial emission inspection because of missing or incomplete data from the engine's computer, and this
occurs within 15 years of the date your vehicle was originally placed in service or 150,000 miles (240,000 km), whichever occurs first, the engine computer will be reprogrammed for you at no charge. Diagnosis or repair for conditions other than the condition described above is not covered under
this special coverage program.

What You Should Do: If you do not live an area that has a vehicle emission inspectionrequirement, simply place this letter with your other important glove box literature for future reference. If you live in an area that has a vehicle emission inspection requirement and your 2006 model
year Chevrolet Cobalt, HHR; Pontiac Pursuit; or Saturn ION does not pass a state/provincial emission inspection because of missing or incomplete information from your engine's computer, you may want to contact your GM dealer/retailer to find out how long they will need to have your vehicle so that you may schedule the appointment at a time that is convenient for you.
Reprogramming qualifying under this special coverage must be performed by a GM dealer/retailer. Present this letter to your dealer/retailer as authorization to perform this service. If you have any questions or need any assistance, please contact your dealer/retailer. We are sorry for any inconvenience you may experience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your continued satisfaction with our products.

Gonna have to check mine when I get home to see if my VIN in in that group. I move to an area last year that does testing. It's only been tested once so far and passed. But the next time will be this December, guess I should not wait until the last minute......:lol:

15 years or 150K miles, impressive.

Thanks for the heads up. :thumb:

Do vehicle emission inspections cost anything? If GM will only reprogram after a failed test will they also pay for an additional test afterwards or is that still the responsibility of the owner?

If they know there is a problem why not just bring in all the affected VIN's for a reprogram?

Locally I've seen the test cost $18-$25 from place to place. Close to me I get them done for $20, takes all of about 10 minutes. They plug into the OBDII port to read for codes, visual for the cat, and test the gas cap. They punch into the data base and so the DMV can see it when you renew your tags. They won't issue the decals until it's there. No "inspection" decals on the car itself. Must be done within 30 days of renewall, not any sooner.

In Texas if it is rejected, you have 15 days to get it fixed for a no charge re-test.

In Ontario vehicles are emission tested when ever a vehicle's ownership is transferred from one owner to another from day 1 up to 20 years. After 20 years all vehicles are exempt from testing but are required to have all equipment in tact. The first test begins at 5 years and every two years thereafter up to the 20 years. Cost $35.00 plus tax.

Well....don't move to California....$50 to $60 dollars.

Must be tested every 2 years, and when title / registration is transferred.

Lots of money for the test and it requires a dyno run, and a bunch
of other stuff.

Cajun / Al