Service bulletin PIP4959C

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

The communication, as NHTSA indexes it (as of 2026-10-19)
Type	Service bulletin
NHTSA id	10112550
Published by NHTSA	2017-08-15
Manufacturer's number	PIP4959C
Manufacturer's date	2012-11-06
NHTSA component	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

NHTSA's summary

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician with information about vehicles that misfires or roughness on cold start up. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Code P0300 set. Technician will need to add coolant dye to the system and run the engine through warm up to circulate the dye. Pressurize the cooling system after a cold soak and inspect the cylinder with a bore scope for coolant dye. If coolant is found in the cylinder technician will need to contact General Motors Product Quality Center for engine replacement.

The document

The document is the manufacturer's. This site does not hold it. NHTSA files a document at one of these two addresses; we have not asked NHTSA which.

Components

Engine, Cooling system

Trouble codes named

P0300

Vehicles listed
BUICK ENCLAVE	2011, 2012, 2013
BUICK LACROSSE	2011, 2012, 2013
CADILLAC ATS	2013
CADILLAC CTS	2011, 2012, 2013
CADILLAC SRX	2011, 2012, 2013
CADILLAC STS	2011
CADILLAC XTS	2013
CHEVROLET CAMARO	2011, 2012, 2013
CHEVROLET CAPRICE	2012 to 2013
CHEVROLET CAPTIVA	2012 to 2013
CHEVROLET EQUINOX	2011, 2012, 2013
CHEVROLET IMPALA	2012, 2013
CHEVROLET TRAVERSE	2011, 2012, 2013
GMC ACADIA	2011, 2012, 2013
GMC TERRAIN	2011, 2012, 2013

Listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned: the document says which.

Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component
14588C	2023-12-18. Service bulletin. Engine Cooling Fan Motor
PIP5684B	2020-08-10. Service bulletin. This Preliminary information communicates the use of air leak diagnostic test tool CH-52250 in addition to the information found in the service manual.
PIP5257B	2018-08-20. Service bulletin. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the steps to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have oil mixed in with the engine coolant. Technician will need to inspect the oil cooler if equipped for possible leaking into the cooling system through the radiator. If no issue found replace the engine as well as all rubber coolant hoses.
PIE0385B	2018-05-21. Service bulletin. This engineering information bulletin ends the need for information from the field on vehicles that have the concern of a noisy water pump.
PIT5336	2018-05-07. Service bulletin. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp on. Technician may find a Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0030, P0031, P0032, P0036, P0037, P0038, P0050, P0051, P0052, P0053, P0054, P0056, P0057, P0058, P0059, P0060, P0131,?P0132,?P0134,?P0137,?P0138,?P0140,?P0151, P0052, P0154, P0157, P0158,?P0160, P0443, and P0049. Technician also may find Emission 1 Fuse is open. Technician will need to inspect and repair any wires damage on the engine harness to the Bank 1 O2 sensor for chafing on the A/C hose coupling.
PIP5549	2018-02-21. Service bulletin. This Preliminary information communicates a diagnostic trail to a likely conclusion for lean codes on these vehicles.
PIP4957B	2017-08-15. Service bulletin. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Hoot, Gurgle, Howl, or Swoosh noise from the engine cooling system. Technician will need to replace the thermostat housing with the correct part number.
PIP4158E	2017-08-15. Service bulletin. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have low oil pressure, no oil pressure, and/or engine noise. Technician will need to replace the oil pump, flush the oil cooler lines.
PIP5093	2017-08-15. Service bulletin. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have an engine oil leak that appeared as they were driving the vehicle in extremely cold ambient temperatures. The technician may find the oil leak is coming from the rear main seal. Technician will need to check for proper thermostat operation by following thermostat Diagnosis as outlined in Service Information and replace the thermostat as necessary. Also the technician will remove the cam cover, inspect the positive crankcase ventilation baffle inside, and replace the cam cover if obvious sludge build up is present. Any debris in the positive crankcase ventilation pipes, hoses, the positive crankcase ventilation nipple on the cam cover, and the throttle body should be cleaned out. Technician should inspect the related positive crankcase ventilation hoses/connections for potential damage and replace if necessary. Run the engine at operating temperature for 15 minutes at idle. Then turn the engine off, and drain the engine oil for at least 15 minutes to remove all oil and condensation or water from the crankcase. Follow Service Information repair procedures to repair any oil leaks that were induced as a result of the frozen positive crankcase ventilation system and excessive crankcase pressure. Technician should insure the Engine Control Module calibrations have been installed to adjust the engine oil life monitor to a maximum of 7,500 miles (12,070 KM) as well.
PIP4988A	2017-08-15. Service bulletin. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a under hood odor that is coming from the engine coolant. Technician will need to completely drain the cooling system and refill it is with drinkable water and one bottle of GM Heavy Duty Cooling System Cleaner. After the cooling system is completely full drive the vehicle for 40-60 minutes with the heat on high. Technician should allow the engine to cool then completely drain the cooling system. After the cooling system is completely drained, fill the cooling system with water and run the engine for 10 minutes to circulate the water. Technician should allow the engine to cool then completely drain the cooling system. After the cooling system is completely drained, technician will also need to remove the surge tank and thoroughly clean it with hot water. Now install the clean surge tank and fill the cooling system with water and run the engine for 10 minutes to circulate the water. Technician should completely drain the cooling system and replace all the cooling hoses. Technician will install the thermostat using a new water pump inlet seal. After the new hoses and thermostat is installed fill the cooling system with Premixed DEX-Cool or a 50 / 50 DEX-Cool water mixture.