Issues

[churchmouse]

Hello everbody, new to this site.

 

I was reading a couple posts of problems that GM owners had with their trucks and i am so fustrated with my 09 Silverado i thought i would comment. My problems started in July 09 when i purchased my new Silverado. At first glance i loved it, LTZ, 20s, bose, sunroof, power rear sliding glass $55k. At 5k the transmission started making sounds (under load) almost like putting a knife into a spinning fan blade. At the trucks first service (7k) i was informed that the transmission was on the way out. I droped off the truck and 22days later it had a new transmission. I then drove the truck for an additional 4k for a total of 11k (enough time to forget about the transmission letdown) and the truck bit again. On my way home home from work it died on the side of the highway. Had it towed in and was informed that the engine was destroyed, it sheared the camshaft keyway and pistons and valves met in a bad way. I am now into my 6th week with no truck and lots of lies and stories. Moral of the story, 11k of use, 10 months old 8 months of use, dealing with the embarasment of being asked "when are they going to have it fixed" WHAT A 55K HEAP OF S!!!!

[gmblack3]

$55k? Are you in Canada?

[Bish]

I feel your pain. I have had VERY good luck with GM vehicles over the past 20 years. However, my 08 has had many little annoying problems like blown shock, 3 broken door handles, ac pipe leaking chrome wheels pitting/flaking. Nothing serious but annoying nonetheless. Nothing like you have experienced.

 

Unfortunately, I believe every manufacturer has lemons and Obviously I think you got one with multiple significant issues. Definitely sucks but I think it happens to all makes. I've seen brand new European vehicles (Benz, Audi, BMW) in the shop for months with electrical problems. Nobody is immune IMO.

 

While have had zero problems with our Enclave and small annoying problems with my YD, I'm not sure I will buy another GM until the gov't doesn't own them. I've got at least two more years on both our GM's and I am hopefull they may rid themselves of the gov't by the time I'm buying again.

 

Good luck with everything.

[jro909]

you got a lemon, theres no such thing as a perfect truck nor is every truck identical when its built...humans put it together which leaves room for flaws and failure..you got a warranty so your not paying for the repairs so get over it...a price tag dosen't gurantee that everything will be flawless

[churchmouse]

$55k? Are you in Canada?

 

 

Yes.

[C. Charles Hahn]

you got a lemon, theres no such thing as a perfect truck nor is every truck identical when its built...humans put it together which leaves room for flaws and failure..you got a warranty so your not paying for the repairs so get over it...a price tag dosen't gurantee that everything will be flawless

 

BINGO!

[djm3000]

you got a lemon, theres no such thing as a perfect truck nor is every truck identical when its built...humans put it together which leaves room for flaws and failure..you got a warranty so your not paying for the repairs so get over it...a price tag dosen't gurantee that everything will be flawless

 

BINGO!

 

 

 

That suck's! Are there Lemon Laws in Canada. Take that baby back.

[Bob D]

And GM wonders why it's losing market share?

Hopefully their new 100K warranty will be their incentive to do better.

[C. Charles Hahn]

That suck's! Are there Lemon Laws in Canada. Take that baby back.

 

I guess we have to stop using the word "lemon" now too, because people instantly think this means they can "sue and screw" with the auto manufacturer/dealer. I guess it's just another extension of that false sense of entitlement people these days seem to have? I don't get it.

 

You bought the vehicle, it came with a warranty. The dealer/manufacturer are honoring the warranty and fixing issues as they arise, which is what they're required to do. If the SAME component breaks multiple times, then sure maybe it's worth exploring the lemon law if the dealer/manufacturer aren't working with you up front, but if it's different things that keep cropping up, tough sh!t. You were unlucky and either bought a vehicle that had some bad parts on it, or you're beating on it and breaking things that normally would never break.

 

If you don't want to deal with having a vehicle that has been repaired under warranty, sell it and buy a different one that might not have the same issues.

 

And GM wonders why it's losing market share?

Hopefully their new 100K warranty will be their incentive to do better.

 

No. Just no. First, GM isn't losing market share, they're gaining market share now. Second, it's pure ignorance like this that keeps GM from fully recovering their reputation.

 

ANY auto manufacturer is susceptible to these kinds of issues, and you're kidding yourself if you think these things don't happen to other manufacturers as well. Any time you have a mass produced item as complex as a car or truck, you're bound to have a few issues slip through the cracks.

 

Statistically speaking though, I guarantee you there are more trucks with no production-related issues than there are ones with issues. The only reason you see and think otherwise is because you're on an internet forum where people come to research and complain about the issues they are having with their trucks. If you talk to actual people you see driving and owning these vehicles, you'll find that there isn't the huge concentration of people who have experienced problems in the real world like there is on this and other forum sites.

 

It all comes down to having perspective and objectivity, and understanding that to blow a problem out of proportion is foolish and irresponsible in the grand scheme of things.

[jblakeney]

Every company makes a dud every know and again. Your truck SOUNDS like one. I'd get it fixed and seriously think about trading...... Or getting them to lemon law it if it qualifies.

 

I know of a Toyota Camry Solara in my town that will blow the drivers front fog lamp EVERY couple days! I know the girl that bought it new and the one that has it now. I can change the fog lamp on the drivers side blind folded now (in that car). But I don't have to change it any more!....... DROVE the dealer nuts with that thing till the warranty was gone. They replaced harnesses, fog lamp housings, wiring harnesses, LCM, switch, not to mention the bulbs they changed in it. Every now and again I see the car driving at night.... It is a 2001 Toyota Camry Solara black paint, black leather, 5% tint on the windows.

 

But if it makes you feel any better here is another. E350 bus, 460cid engine. Drove over 5 years. Had a miss from day one. Finally the engine died. 5 years old. Upon removing the heads. We found 2 pistons and 2 rods missing in action (one from each cylinder bank, at least it was balanced somewhat that way)!!! Fords have a low - normal - high oil pressure gauge, engine had normal oil pressure till failure (according to the customer). Pump came apart. Crankshaft began to ride on the main bearings and like wise on the 6 rod bearings. I did take the time to look at the build date. It was a Monday. Just imagine getting a call from the machine shop on tear down day on your engine and hear that! That had everybody in my store downstairs looking at that 460 engine with 6 pistons and rods and 2 CLEAN cylinders. Would you believe after the rebuild it ran smooth????

 

Jbo

[redvett]

You shouldn't have to wait 22 days for a new trans or 6 weeks for an engine. Should not take over a week for either job. Call GM customer assistance ASAP and get a complaint filed now.

[lvlagnum]

Why are you without a truck for even one day? I'm guessing it's true of other manufacturers too but when ever a GM vehicle goes in for warranty repair and needs to be kept at the dealership overnight or longer, the owner is entitled to a rental or loaner vehicle of equal or greater value paid for by GM.

 

It amazes me when people say they have gone days, weeks or months without a vehicle to drive when in fact they are entitled to a rental or loaner vehicle.

 

I have had warranty work done on my vehicles which had a total cost of less than the price of the rental and as long as the dealer had to hold my vehicle waiting for parts or for the repair to be completed, I have always been given a rental or loaner.

 

If you were not offered a loaner or rental, then you should be having a civil but firm conversation with the dealership service manager, the dealership manager or with GM directly.

 

Cheers, lvlagnum.

[wescollins]

That's about the time they laid off all the experienced workers aint it. Glad I got one built in early '08.

[fbachman]

That suck's! Are there Lemon Laws in Canada. Take that baby back.

 

I guess we have to stop using the word "lemon" now too, because people instantly think this means they can "sue and screw" with the auto manufacturer/dealer. I guess it's just another extension of that false sense of entitlement people these days seem to have? I don't get it.

 

You bought the vehicle, it came with a warranty. The dealer/manufacturer are honoring the warranty and fixing issues as they arise, which is what they're required to do. If the SAME component breaks multiple times, then sure maybe it's worth exploring the lemon law if the dealer/manufacturer aren't working with you up front, but if it's different things that keep cropping up, tough sh!t. You were unlucky and either bought a vehicle that had some bad parts on it, or you're beating on it and breaking things that normally would never break.

 

If you don't want to deal with having a vehicle that has been repaired under warranty, sell it and buy a different one that might not have the same issues.

 

And GM wonders why it's losing market share?

Hopefully their new 100K warranty will be their incentive to do better.

 

No. Just no. First, GM isn't losing market share, they're gaining market share now. Second, it's pure ignorance like this that keeps GM from fully recovering their reputation.

 

ANY auto manufacturer is susceptible to these kinds of issues, and you're kidding yourself if you think these things don't happen to other manufacturers as well. Any time you have a mass produced item as complex as a car or truck, you're bound to have a few issues slip through the cracks.

 

Statistically speaking though, I guarantee you there are more trucks with no production-related issues than there are ones with issues. The only reason you see and think otherwise is because you're on an internet forum where people come to research and complain about the issues they are having with their trucks. If you talk to actual people you see driving and owning these vehicles, you'll find that there isn't the huge concentration of people who have experienced problems in the real world like there is on this and other forum sites.

 

It all comes down to having perspective and objectivity, and understanding that to blow a problem out of proportion is foolish and irresponsible in the grand scheme of things.

 

 

I agree with your premise, in general. The lemon law should not be looked upon as a lottery ticket if small things go wrong. I am also taking the approach that the person posting isn't beating the living krappola out of that truck.

 

We must agree however, the failures he is describing, if they are indeed true ( I am assuming they are for the sake of this post) is really inexcusable in this day and age. Should he sue...no, not in my book---not yet. But we have to agree, I think, that if it were either of us in that boat, neither of us would be chipper.

 

The statement, "sell it and get something else" is a LITTLE disingenuous, as, we both know that depreciation is 35% AT BEST the minute the front tire drops off the dealer's lot, if not sooner.

 

If I drop $35k on a vehicle, I may not be in a position to sell it, take a beating, and move on. Some of us may be lucky enough to be able to swallow that, but many are not.

 

True, the warranty is there to guarantee merchantability. They are "taking care of these issues". But, the truck will NEVER be the same with these types of serious failures (if they are indeed real). If it were me, I would have lost trust in the durability and reliability of the vehicle moving forward, fixed, or not.

 

I accept that not all trucks are perfect. I accept that ANY car I buy will make it back with at least SOME sort of warranty repair.

 

I will say, however, I would NOT be sitting still being without a vehicle for 20-some days. That dealer would be giving me a loaner, or I WOULD pursue other avenues. I would have to assume that if this was not customer driven, this vehicle had SERIOUS issues out of the box. I certainly wouldn't be happy paying a new car price for one that has had its guts tore out twice and replaced.

 

That being said, this could and does happen to ALL makes and brands.

 

Call me crazy, but, in a case like this, assuming it is legit, GM would be better off replacing this truck (for the customer) and shipping this thing to its quality tech center ASAP to try to see where something went astray.

 

In my case, my '07 has been the best vehicle I have ever owned relaitve to new car quality. One or two VERY minor warranty things in 3 years that waited for the next oil change and were quickly taken care of.

 

I, for one, would be royally POd if that had happened to me. It's not just GM that that happens to, but ALL of them. Personally, I think GM builds vehicles better than most at the prices they are taking. My experience will have me returning to GM when it's time for a new one. This assumes that they don't take a quality dive in the mean time, which I don't think will happen.

[MarkD]

Well said Frank (and others). It sounds like you need to have a heart to heart (door shut, no b.s., no threats) with the General Manager of your dealer (assuming what others have assumed above).

 

What I have seen happen, and would recommend. Trade the vehicle on a new one. Take a beating on trade-in value. Buy the new one at dealer cost. That way the dealership can wholesale the vehicle at auction, moves a unit of inventory, and keeps a customer happy. You lose $0-$1500 but get a different, brand-new truck. Maybe you get an extra option/different color/different trim package.

 

You may lose a little money now, but you will be sitting pretty when you trade the new vehicle, and you have a vehicle you can trust.