2002 'not a recall' letter?

**Pewter02Formula** · 12-13-2006, 05:52 AM

Just got my letter yesterday. For those who are curious, here's the actual wording of the letter:

As the owner of a 2002 model year Pontiac Firebird your satisfaction with our product is very important to us.

This letter is intended to make you aware that some 2002 model year Pontiac Firebird vehicles, equipped with a 5.7L V8 engine, may have a failure of the left or right catalytic converter.

This is not a recall. Do not take your vehicle to your Pontiac dealer as a result of this letter unless you believe that your vehicle has the condition described above.

What We Have Done: General Motors is providing owners with additional protection for the right and left catalytic converters. If this condition occurs on your 2002 Pontiac Firebird within 10 years of te date your vehicle was originally placed in service or 120,000 miles (193,000 km), whichever comes first, the condition will be repaired for you at no charge.

What You Should Do: Repairs and adjustments qualifying under this special coverage must be performed by a General Motors dealer. You may want to call the service department at your dealer to find out how long they will need to have your vehicle so that you may schedule an appointment at a time that is convenient for you. This will also allow your dealer to order parts if they are not already in stock. Keep this letter with your other important glove box literature for future reference.

Reimbursement: The enclosed form explains what reimbursement is available and how to request reimbursement if you have paid for the special coverage condition.

If you have any questions or need any assistance, just contact your dealer or the Pontiac Customer Assistance Center between the hours of 8:00AM and 11:00PM, EST, Monday through Friday. They can be reached at 1.800.620.7668 (TTY 1.800.833.7668).

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.

Scott Lawson
General Director
Customer and Relationship Services

My cats are doing fine so far, but I'm gonna stick this in the glove compartment like he suggests, in case they start to go bad next spring/summer.

**smokeyburnouts** · 12-13-2006, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by Too Fast

Get them replaced free first, then save them. Next, with your tax $$$ this Spring, get LT and ORY and get rear O2 sims or a tune and have the tuner delete the rear O2 codes. In case you ever have to put the stock stuff back on. That is what I did.

ya, sounds like a good idea to me..ill probly go that route. thanks

**feet739** · 12-14-2006, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by feet739

Thanks abunch jag that"s good to know!!!!!!!!!!

Got mine on the 9th

**Emily** · 12-15-2006, 05:33 AM

Originally Posted by Too Fast

If your not seeing the Service Engine light, another way to know if they are bad would be if you notice that your engine has lost some or a lot of power, or your gas mileage has dropped recently. These problems could show up because of partially plugged convertors. Now, just because you might have noticed these problems does not gaurantee the fix is the convertor(s), the gas mileage problem could be as simple a fix as a lighter right foot! Also, low power could be a restricted fuel filter or weak fuel pump.

My car runs fine...

**KellyeD2006** · 12-18-2006, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by bevenue

Is everyone that gets the letter the origanal owner or is every f-body owner getting them?

I know I'm late, but I am NOT an original owner & received the letter... not sure how they knew... maybe when you get your tags & registration...

**2001NBMZ28** · 12-18-2006, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by KellyeD2006

I know I'm late, but I am NOT an original owner & received the letter... not sure how they knew... maybe when you get your tags & registration...

Dunno. Bought my car new in NC, moved back to FL after a couple years. Got the letter at my new address, thinking it might be because I visited the local dealer here ONCE a couple years ago, or because it was originally financed through GMAC and changed my address through them? Paid off in early '05.

**Too Fast** · 12-19-2006, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by 9T8W66

It's an emmissions component and the emmissions system is supposed to warrantied for the lifetime of the vehicle.
At least that what I was told.

To whoever told you that..................there is nothing on the car that has a lifetime warranty.

**Dave1970** · 12-20-2006, 05:51 AM

I'm not the original owner of my WS6 and I received the letter. What are some of the symptoms of the cat(s) having problems?

**jag42420** · 12-20-2006, 07:07 AM

SES code, poor performance (power loss), higher engine temp, bad exhaust odor...

**b.lee** · 08-31-2007, 11:46 AM

so this is only for 2002 models?

**GNICTRY** · 08-31-2007, 12:16 PM

Does the ses light have to come on or can they bang on it and here it is clogged up to be replaced?

**1MileCrash** · 08-31-2007, 12:29 PM

i wonder if they would do this on a 1999 camaro. seems weird that it just stated the firebird model.

**jag42420** · 08-31-2007, 12:46 PM

My letter was specifically for 01/02 Firebirds. I'm not sure what all years/models are affected. I'd recommend contacting a local GM dealer for specifics to anyone interested in free cats.

**2001NBMZ28** · 08-31-2007, 01:01 PM

I believe 10yr/120K extension is only the '00-'02 cars.

**wnmech** · 08-31-2007, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by b.lee

so this is only for 2002 models?

This I know also included the 2001with the LS1 engines. The Pontiac dealer pulled up my VIN number and told me that the previous owner had it done for free. If you are not the original owners of the vehicle and did not get a notice the Pontiac service department will let you everything service wise that was done on your vehicles by a GM dealer.

**PipeLayaz** · 09-01-2007, 11:55 AM

I had my last WS6 converter replaced for free when I told em it went out. my car had 30,000 miles on it at the time. they replaced it with no questions asked and it didn't cost me a penny.

**whiteLS1TA** · 09-01-2007, 02:56 PM

im not the original owner im the second owner of my 2001 T/A. am i going to to be getting one? because i got my car at 20,000 miles and im guessing that i might be due uo for my cats to be replaced. so if they do go bad i just contact the GM dealership?

**PipeLayaz** · 09-01-2007, 05:26 PM

I was the third owner and I never received a letter i just told em about it and they still replaced the converter. Hope this helps...

**jag42420** · 09-01-2007, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by whiteLS1TA

im not the original owner im the second owner of my 2001 T/A. am i going to to be getting one? because i got my car at 20,000 miles and im guessing that i might be due uo for my cats to be replaced. so if they do go bad i just contact the GM dealership?

You're covered whether you get a letter or not. I posted the number in post #1 of this thread, but any GM service shop will take care of you if you have a problem.

**whiteLS1TA** · 09-02-2007, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by jag42420

You're covered whether you get a letter or not. I posted the number in post #1 of this thread, but any GM service shop will take care of you if you have a problem.

oh alright cool man thanks. ima have the GM dealership look at my cats for me.