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Continous Problems With 2008 Silverado - Help?

coryjd

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coryjd Enthusiast

coryjd

Posted
Posted

Hey everyone,

 

New to this forum, but came here looking for some help.

 

I have a 2008 Silverado 5.3 LT1 1500 w/Z71 package w/18,000 miles. Starting one month ago, my steering to the left became extremely difficult. I took it into the dealer, and they told me nothing was wrong with the truck. Two weeks later, my wife drove the truck off the road and into a snow bank because she wasn't able to make a left turn.

 

After calling the dealer the second time, they told me they were going to replace the rack and pinion.

 

Once that service was complete, I got the truck back, but there was a horribly loud noise coming into the cabin that was not there before. Upon returning to the dealer AGAIN, they informed me that a boot on the steering column didn't seal correctly and it was engine noise leaking into the cabin.

 

After that service was performed, I got the truck back this past Wednesday. The truck started to show the same tendencies of hard steering to the left, and then today - my 'Engine Light' came on. I drove the truck to the dealer today and in doing so, I noticed it was revving high at a stop light after I had come to a complete stop. Once at the dealer, they told me no codes come up when plugging in the computer, and that there was nothing they could do. I told them this was unacceptable, and they then told me they were going to replace the vent solenoid on the gas tank.

 

(didn't mention that last fall I had to have the springs replaced because of a loud squeaking noise coming from the rear-end - this was irrelevant to this particular problem).

 

I called Chevrolet today, to file a formal complaint, both about the truck and dealership.

 

Any input, opinions, or advice you have would greatly be appreciated.

 

Thank you.

Stevens03 Senior Enthusiast

Stevens03

Posted
Posted

Stay calm, stay firm and don't give up. Quite frankly, I'd be taking it to another dealership since obviously you've lost faith in them. I'd be on the phone with GM and ask to have the work done at another dealership and explain that the current dealership isn't resolving the issue. You'd like a fresh set of eyes.

 

Good luck.

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted

Sounds like the dealer could have handled the situation with a little more professionalism but the steering issue must be a rare item. I've never heard anybody else in here mention it. Replacing the rack was likely the correct fix and the mechanic should not have left the boot unattached. You certainly had every right to want that taken care of right away.

 

Most any vehicle with leaf springs can have squeak issues. It happens to all makes.

coryjd Enthusiast

coryjd

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks everyone. I'm going to take it to another dealership tomorrow. But, I don't need to get approval from GM, as long as it's a GM Certified dealer, correct? Warranty work is warranty work, right?

C. Charles Hahn Senior Enthusiast

C. Charles Hahn

Posted
Posted
Sounds like the dealer could have handled the situation with a little more professionalism but the steering issue must be a rare item. I've never heard anybody else in here mention it. Replacing the rack was likely the correct fix and the mechanic should not have left the boot unattached. You certainly had every right to want that taken care of right away.

 

Most any vehicle with leaf springs can have squeak issues. It happens to all makes.

 

Agreed. Sounds like yet another case of someone getting a lemon -- I would pursue the issues with a different dealership and if they can't make it right, push GM to buy the truck back or exchange it with you for a new one.

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted
Thanks everyone. I'm going to take it to another dealership tomorrow. But, I don't need to get approval from GM, as long as it's a GM Certified dealer, correct? Warranty work is warranty work, right?

Should not be any problem taking it to another dealer. Good luck man... and make sure you come post your results here OK?

coryjd Enthusiast

coryjd

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Sounds like the dealer could have handled the situation with a little more professionalism but the steering issue must be a rare item. I've never heard anybody else in here mention it. Replacing the rack was likely the correct fix and the mechanic should not have left the boot unattached. You certainly had every right to want that taken care of right away.

 

Most any vehicle with leaf springs can have squeak issues. It happens to all makes.

 

Agreed. Sounds like yet another case of someone getting a lemon -- I would pursue the issues with a different dealership and if they can't make it right, push GM to buy the truck back or exchange it with you for a new one.

 

 

NYS Lemon Law only covers vehicles up to 2 years old or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first. I bought mine on July 31st, 2008, but it has 18,249 miles on it. Not sure I could get anywhere with the Lemon Law. ???

C. Charles Hahn Senior Enthusiast

C. Charles Hahn

Posted
Posted
NYS Lemon Law only covers vehicles up to 2 years old or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first. I bought mine on July 31st, 2008, but it has 18,249 miles on it. Not sure I could get anywhere with the Lemon Law. ???

 

That kinda sucks.... but I would contend that GM should stand behind the product regardless if the law forces them to or not. Get in touch with the right person, and that might be able to happen.

jrrod2004 Senior Enthusiast

jrrod2004

Posted
Posted
Thanks everyone. I'm going to take it to another dealership tomorrow. But, I don't need to get approval from GM, as long as it's a GM Certified dealer, correct? Warranty work is warranty work, right?

 

 

Double check. When I worked for GM several years back, we could not send a Chevy Truck to a GMC dealership and vice versa if those dealership did not carry the opposite brand. GM's reason was kinda vague but my interpretation was it had to do with warranty work payments. The only times that we could break the rule if it was in an emergency or if a DVM ruled it ok. Something to keep in mind and possibly keep you from another headache.

coryjd Enthusiast

coryjd

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I called GM this morning and they told me that as long as I go to a GM Certified Chevy dealer, there is no problem.

 

Thanks for the heads up.

coryjd Enthusiast

coryjd

Posted
  • Author
Posted

The dealer just called me, and they are now telling me it was a pressure valve that was causing the high revving and the Engine Light to come on.

 

Any thoughts?

Thurman Enthusiast

Thurman

Posted
Posted

I've had few problems with the GMC trucks I've owned but have learned one important thing about service. I've hand written letters to GMC about a local dealers poor service, even though it's a small dealership, and requested using a local Chevy dealers larger shop. I was informed that some dealers are independent dealers and some are franchised. The independent dealers do not have to do warranty work on vehicles which they do not sell, regardless of branding. A franchised dealer can do warranty work on cross-brands, but GM prefers that the dealer shops be located 25 miles from each other. David

coryjd Enthusiast

coryjd

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I've had few problems with the GMC trucks I've owned but have learned one important thing about service. I've hand written letters to GMC about a local dealers poor service, even though it's a small dealership, and requested using a local Chevy dealers larger shop. I was informed that some dealers are independent dealers and some are franchised. The independent dealers do not have to do warranty work on vehicles which they do not sell, regardless of branding. A franchised dealer can do warranty work on cross-brands, but GM prefers that the dealer shops be located 25 miles from each other. David

 

Interesting. My problem is the opposite. I've been dealing with a large dealership, who has many dealerships in the area and this part of the state. I inquired to GM about going to a smaller dealership, and confirmed this with the dearlship this morning, that they indeed will do warranty repair work.

 

Thanks.

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