Brand New 1500, Issues Already

Pat1usmc · August 4, 2011

Hi,

I finally bought a new 2011 Silverado 1500 4x4 Z71 with the appearance package this Saturday. On the test drive the salesman and I noticed a significant vibration on the highway at 60-70 mph. I ended up buying it but I was under the impression that it would be fixed by the time I picked it up the next day. On the way home, I noticed the truck felt exactly the same so I brough it in the very next day. They balanced the tires and I drove off, only to find that nothing had changed. Took it right back and had to leave my brand new truck there for 2 days so they could bring it somewhere to get a loaded balance on a Hunter? machine. So I finally pick it up today and guess what, no change. In fact after SEVENTY MILES of driving it, and a quarter tank of gass later and balancing it twice, there is no change.

Can anyone shed any light on this? I am definitely going to call them again tomorrow morning, especially since I want to know why it was driven so much and with no change at all. Could this possibly be an issuefrom the truck sitting on the lot for a while and it just needs to be driven?

Thanks guys.

5829BMG · August 4, 2011

It's possible tires could be flat spotted if it sat awhile. The hunter road force balancer should have caught it they are. Alot of times you can tell how along a vehicle has been on the lot by looking at the ST inspection sticker. You may want to take it back and have the rims and tires swapped off a newer unit then drive it that way you know if its tires. Sometimes you can drive it out also

Stevens03 · August 4, 2011

Most likely a bad set of tires and would request a new set

wavery · August 4, 2011

It's possible tires could be flat spotted if it sat awhile. The hunter road force balancer should have caught it they are. Alot of times you can tell how along a vehicle has been on the lot by looking at the ST inspection sticker. You may want to take it back and have the rims and tires swapped off a newer unit then drive it that way you know if its tires. Sometimes you can drive it out also

I doubt that will happen. Most dealerships would fire someone for taking parts off a new vehicle in stock to repair another vehicle. Then you have 2 vehicles with problems and take one out of inventory that could be sold the next day....... That dazy-chains and you end up with a bunch of cars that won't run and can't be sold. Dealers used to go out of business because of those types of things.

OMG....... now I'm gonna have nightmares again tonight......

Most likely a bad set of tires and would request a new set dunno.gif

That probably won't fly either. They have to properly diagnose the problem. A customer can't just go in and "request a new set".

Pat1usmc · August 4, 2011

Thanks guys, good advice. I'll bring up both things tomorrow.

The inspection sticker says its good until 1/2012. Could it possibly be sitting on the lot since January? And if so shouldn't the inspection be renewed when I purchase it?

Why are these purchases never as fun as they are supposed to be!

wavery · August 4, 2011

Thanks guys, good advice. I'll bring up both things tomorrow.
The inspection sticker says its good until 1/2012. Could it possibly be sitting on the lot since January? And if so shouldn't the inspection be renewed when I purchase it?

Why are these purchases never as fun as they are supposed to be!

It's called "Working the bugs out"....... That's why I NEVER buy new. I always buy 2-years-old. I was a Service Manager for TOOOOOOOOOO long and I've seen and heard it all. The 1st year of ownership is the worst.

Pat1usmc · August 4, 2011

I've never had to "work the bugs out" of any of the new cars I have purchased, and there have been plenty. This is my first Chevrolet and I wasn't expecting anything different. After spending $30k that last think you expect to do is fix problems on the truck and have the dealership drive the car more than you do. We aren't talking about a brand new, rare car here!

ChevyMan23 · August 4, 2011

I always hate to hear this. I have never had to "work the bugs out", and this is my 2nd brand new truck in 7 years. I just recently bought the same style truck, extended cab Z with appearance, 2011, and I dont have any type of vibration at any speed. Im with these guys, sounds like tires or wheels, or possibly slung a weight off the driveshaft, but that is usually unlikely.

Stevens03 · August 4, 2011

It's possible tires could be flat spotted if it sat awhile. The hunter road force balancer should have caught it they are. Alot of times you can tell how along a vehicle has been on the lot by looking at the ST inspection sticker. You may want to take it back and have the rims and tires swapped off a newer unit then drive it that way you know if its tires. Sometimes you can drive it out also

I doubt that will happen. Most dealerships would fire someone for taking parts off a new vehicle in stock to repair another vehicle. Then you have 2 vehicles with problems and take one out of inventory that could be sold the next day....... That dazy-chains and you end up with a bunch of cars that won't run and can't be sold. Dealers used to go out of business because of those types of things.

OMG....... now I'm gonna have nightmares again tonight......

Most likely a bad set of tires and would request a new set dunno.gif

That probably won't fly either. They have to properly diagnose the problem. A customer can't just go in and "request a new set".

I agree the dealership shouldn't take parts off one to fix another, but clearly from what the OP posted, the dealership believes the tires are the issue otherwise they wouldn't have sent it out to have the tires load balanced. So why not request new tires I've also owned many new cars and trucks and never had to "work the bugs out" of any of them I get it that some will have issues but that shouldn't be the "train-of-thought" either.

wavery · August 4, 2011

It's possible tires could be flat spotted if it sat awhile. The hunter road force balancer should have caught it they are. Alot of times you can tell how along a vehicle has been on the lot by looking at the ST inspection sticker. You may want to take it back and have the rims and tires swapped off a newer unit then drive it that way you know if its tires. Sometimes you can drive it out also

I doubt that will happen. Most dealerships would fire someone for taking parts off a new vehicle in stock to repair another vehicle. Then you have 2 vehicles with problems and take one out of inventory that could be sold the next day....... That dazy-chains and you end up with a bunch of cars that won't run and can't be sold. Dealers used to go out of business because of those types of things.

OMG....... now I'm gonna have nightmares again tonight......

Most likely a bad set of tires and would request a new set dunno.gif

That probably won't fly either. They have to properly diagnose the problem. A customer can't just go in and "request a new set".

I agree the dealership shouldn't take parts off one to fix another, but clearly from what the OP posted, the dealership believes the tires are the issue otherwise they wouldn't have sent it out to have the tires load balanced. So why not request new tires I've also owned many new cars and trucks and never had to "work the bugs out" of any of them I get it that some will have issues but that shouldn't be the "train-of-thought" either.

I would be very careful about demanding anything other than a proper diagnoses and repair. If the owner goes in and demands a new set of tires and that doesn't fix the problem, who pays for the new set of tires???

I would recommend being very careful about demanding anything other than for them to diagnose and repair the vehicle to factory specs. Everything that the customer says will be written down in a permanent record. If YOU diagnose the problem...... you could be causing yourself a lot of headaches.

I've also owned many new cars and trucks and never had to "work the bugs out" of any of them I get it that some will have issues but that shouldn't be the "train-of-thought"

You are right, of course....... mine is a conditioned response to toooooo many years in the business. Mine is certainly a difference experience than most....... I mainly saw the problem cars and probably never saw the majority of cars that go out perfect....... I'll be the 1st to admit it....... but I'd still never buy new.

5829BMG · August 4, 2011

I did not mean to suggest keeping the swapped set. It was only a quick way to rule out a tire or wheel problem. I would do it to help my customer with their BRAND new vehicle.

wavery · August 4, 2011

I did not mean to suggest keeping the swapped set. It was only a quick way to rule out a tire or wheel problem. I would do it to help my customer with their BRAND new vehicle.

Do you work at a dealership? I don't think that you quite comprehend the impact of doing stuff like that. They can't just start pulling parts off of cars (tires or otherwise) to experiment. The chaos that sort of thing starts is something that one must experience before they can intelligently discuss. I mean no disrespect...... I'm just saying, "It ain't that simple".

If they do do that, I would not want to do business with them. That means that they may have taken those tires off of another vehicle and put them on yours to resolve a customer complaint. God knows what else they may have removed from your vehicle....... This sort of policy become epidemic over time. Most GOOD dealerships won't do it and will fire anyone that does it.

The proper thing to do is diagnose the problem and fix it. That should not include experimenting with other customers vehicles (and that's what they are). They have a piss poor service dept if that's what they have to do.

Stevens03 · August 4, 2011

It's possible tires could be flat spotted if it sat awhile. The hunter road force balancer should have caught it they are. Alot of times you can tell how along a vehicle has been on the lot by looking at the ST inspection sticker. You may want to take it back and have the rims and tires swapped off a newer unit then drive it that way you know if its tires. Sometimes you can drive it out also

I doubt that will happen. Most dealerships would fire someone for taking parts off a new vehicle in stock to repair another vehicle. Then you have 2 vehicles with problems and take one out of inventory that could be sold the next day....... That dazy-chains and you end up with a bunch of cars that won't run and can't be sold. Dealers used to go out of business because of those types of things.

OMG....... now I'm gonna have nightmares again tonight......

Most likely a bad set of tires and would request a new set dunno.gif

That probably won't fly either. They have to properly diagnose the problem. A customer can't just go in and "request a new set".

I agree the dealership shouldn't take parts off one to fix another, but clearly from what the OP posted, the dealership believes the tires are the issue otherwise they wouldn't have sent it out to have the tires load balanced. So why not request new tires I've also owned many new cars and trucks and never had to "work the bugs out" of any of them I get it that some will have issues but that shouldn't be the "train-of-thought" either.

I would be very careful about demanding anything other than a proper diagnoses and repair. If the owner goes in and demands a new set of tires and that doesn't fix the problem, who pays for the new set of tires???

I would recommend being very careful about demanding anything other than for them to diagnose and repair the vehicle to factory specs. Everything that the customer says will be written down in a permanent record. If YOU diagnose the problem...... you could be causing yourself a lot of headaches.

I've also owned many new cars and trucks and never had to "work the bugs out" of any of them I get it that some will have issues but that shouldn't be the "train-of-thought"

You are right, of course....... mine is a conditioned response to toooooo many years in the business. Mine is certainly a difference experience than most....... I mainly saw the problem cars and probably never saw the majority of cars that go out perfect....... I'll be the 1st to admit it....... but I'd still never buy new.

I never said demand... If you read above, I said "request".. which still seems like the logical next step.

In my original post, the comment was meant to be a positive spin on what sounds like an easy issue to fix. It wasn't a fly off the handle, go in to the dealership and rant, rave and demand like YOU portrayed. As a consumer, I expect issues to be fixed the first time and not given the run around. After a 70 mile test drive, you'd think the dealership would have known the issue is still there and not given the truck back.

Clearly you can't believe this was ok?

5829BMG · August 4, 2011

I do work for a dealership and we will do whatever it takes to make a customer happy with their new vehicle. Your assuming this happens everyday, not. But SALES SELLS THE FIRST ONE SERVICE SELLS THE SECOND AND THIRD ONE AND TO THEIR FRIENDS. To the OP if a vehicle sits in the same spot for 6 or 7 months there is a very good chance the tires have developed a flat spot.

Stevens03 · August 4, 2011

I do work for a dealership and we will do whatever it takes to make a customer happy with their new vehicle. Your assuming this happens everyday, not. But SALES SELLS THE FIRST ONE SERVICE SELLS THE SECOND AND THIRD ONE AND TO THEIR FRIENDS. To the OP if a vehicle sits in the same spot for 6 or 7 months there is a very good chance the tires have developed a flat spot.

Amen brother.... Anyone can negotiate a sale, it's customer service that brings the customer back. Customer first Something you don't see to often anymore. My hats off to ya.