Service bulletin PI1203

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	10137872
Published by NHTSA	2018-05-21
Manufacturer's number	PI1203
Manufacturer's date	2014-03-21
NHTSA component	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

NHTSA's summary

This preliminary bulletin provides information of a normal condition of steam coming from the front grill area after the front gets wet and then heats up from the engine components.

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, Radiator

Vehicles listed
CHEVROLET IMPALA	2014

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.
19NA104	2019-07-29. Service bulletin. This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians and customers on steam/vapor coming from the front grille or radiator area.
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.
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.
PIP4959D	2017-08-15. Service bulletin. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician with information regarding high misfire rates always on #1 cylinder. A customer may complain of misfires or roughness on cold start up with a P0300 diagnostic trouble code. Technician is 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. Dye is used to identify coolant over residual fuel being that might be left in the cylinder. The technician is not to replace the cylinder head as it will not correct this concern. In some cases it is necessary to remove the head for inspection. Do not replace the engine for small surface pock marks or a pitting appearance this is normal and do not connect to coolant passages. Usually if porosity is present there will be a break in the carbon ring. Only replace the engine if true porosity is found. Technician is to call Product Quality Center with the latest version of bulletin 02-07-30-029 if porosity is found and engine replacement is required.
PIP5095B	2017-08-15. Service bulletin. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon and may also have an oil or coolant leak. Technician may find coolant or oil in a spark plug tube. If the Spark Plug Tube is leaking and it is determined that the oil or coolant is not coming from a leak above the spark plug then replace the cylinder Head, spark plug and coil.
14588	2017-01-30. Service bulletin. "14588 - SPECIAL COVERAGE. ON SOME 2011-2015 MODEL YEAR CHEVROLET CAPRICE AND 2012-2015 MODEL YEAR CHEVROLET IMPALA POLICE PATROL VEHICLES, IDLING THE ENGINE FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME CAN PREMATURELY WEAR THE ENGINE-COOLING-FAN MOTOR. IN THIS CONDITION, THE MOTOR MAY FAIL TO OPERATE OR OPERATE NOISILY. THIS CONDITION CAN ALSO DAMAGE MOTOR-CONTROL RELAYS IN THE VEHICLE’S UNDERHOOD BUSSED ELECTRICAL CENTER (UBEC). DEALERS ARE TO DIAGNOSE AND REPLACE FAN MOTORS PER PI1384 REGARDING THE SEMI-ANNUAL PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE CHECK FOR POLICE VEHICLE COOLING FANS."
14588B	2017-01-26. Service bulletin. 14588B - SPECIAL COVERAGE (REVISED TO ADD 2016 MY CHEVROLET IMPALA). ON SOME POLICE PATROL VEHICLES, IDLING THE ENGINE FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME CAN PREMATURELY WEAR THE ENGINE-COOLING-FAN MOTOR. IN THIS CONDITION, THE MOTOR MAY FAIL TO OPERATE OR OPERATE NOISILY. THIS CONDITION CAN ALSO DAMAGE MOTOR-CONTROL RELAYS IN THE VEHICLE’S UNDERHOOD BUSSED ELECTRICAL CENTER (UBEC). DEALERS ARE TO DIAGNOSE AND REPLACE FAN MOTORS PER PI1384 REGARDING THE SEMI-ANNUAL PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE CHECK FOR POLICE VEHICLE COOLING FANS.