2009 Avalanche - Just Disappointed With Fit, Finish & Service

swalt · February 4, 2013

Let me start by saying this is my 7th GM vehicle I have owned and my third truck, and second Avalanche. Mechanically the truck is very good and I have been pleased with the vehicle performance wise after 80,000km's. I have an extended warranty on this truck, but it seems anything to do with trim on it is horrible. I had the sail panels in the rear replaced under warranty as they were tiger striping just before 60,000kms. GM pointed out that my rear window frame glass was cracked and they replaced that under warranty. My door trims on all four doors started bowing out at each end and GM replaced those under factory warranty. My interior door handles have now started peeling (chrome is separating from the plastic) and I was informed by the dealer that it is not covered under extended warranty.

The thing that gets me is the rear window was replaced and six months after it was replaced the frame cracked again. I went back to the dealer and they said it was not covered as I was 90 days outside of warranty because of my mileage (warranty was to 60,000kms). I contacted GM customer service and after a couple of months going back and forth, they offered a new window at 25% off of retail ($742), but then stated the dealer was going to charge $125 to swap it out. Anyone that owns an Avalanche knows the window is user removable and can be out of the truck in less than 30 seconds. How they could warranty a window for 90 days that obviously is a design flaw is beyond me. There are hundreds of posts on the net about Avalanche window frames cracking.

The trim I had replaced is terribly bowed on 3 doors right now. I went to the dealer body shop within 6 months of having it repaired and they said because I was out of warranty there was nothing they could do. It looks terrible for a 2009 vehicle.

The truck is at the dealer today getting a recall/campaign done for a lost power problem which I experienced last week. Also getting a tranny flush. I have called GM today about the door handles which I could care less about, but my wife cut her finger on one so something needs to be done.

I'm just waiting for my dash to crack like all the other posts I have read.

Is it just me? There was a time when I felt GM customer service was there to help the customer and would stand behind their vehicles and I meant something, but I'm ready to call it quits and look at another brand after being a lifelong GM supporter. (As a side note, I bought this vehicle days before GM was on the verge of announcing bankruptcy and receiving their subsequent bailout).

tanked_darren · February 4, 2013

The problem isn't gm its the avalanche, and sorry to be blunt but they suck!

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mawint · February 4, 2013

The problem isn't gm its the avalanche, and sorry to be blunt but they suck!

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I have an 04 avalanche, what makes them any different of a vehicle inside than a silverado besides the back seat and bed? Or a suburban?

Same mechanics, same interior for passengers.

OP. Although my 04 is a different generation i feel your pain. Especially when cold everything creaks and moans and is more susceptible to cracks. I'm just thankful all my buttons haven't worn off yet although they are starting to. Interiors for the gm products are just low grade unfortunately at the moment. Probably the reason that gm is switching up the interiors badly in the 2014 models for trucks. Some passenger cars might have already been upgraded.

swalt · February 4, 2013

I wouldn't go so far as to say the truck "sucks" as it basically is the same as a Suburban or Silverado. I actually had a 2006 Avalanche and traded it up to a 2009 because there was such an upgrade on the interior styling. I use my truck for hauling the boat and snowmobiles, as well as two husky's, but during the week I use the truck for business and visiting/entertaining clients. The new model (2007+) just had a little more prestige to them which was better suited to my job when picking up clients.

As a side note, I picked up my truck today after having a recall done and a the transmission serviced. My advisor noted he had a call from GM customer service about my peeling door handles while my truck was in the shop and he said the rep was a jerk. I left the dealership and figured one more battle lost. Really a confusing message when GM dealers blame General Motors head office for problems and the dealer won't stand behind the product they market or make a living selling.

Wires · February 4, 2013

Swalt,

I have the same BS with my 08 SD. It's just GM. They've butchered their quality in attempts to deal with their near bankruptcy issue back in 2008.

Min leaks oil, handles fall off, rusts like h**l. It's pretty disappointing the amount of money I spent to buy it new, and with only 30k on the odo, and parked inside, it looks like it's 20 years old.

Badass69 · February 5, 2013

You are experiencing why I will never buy a GMT900 and never buy another GM vehicle that they are currently producing period. They are cheaply produced, pure and simple, and neither the dealers nor the company gives a damn about it either. As long as people keep buying them, they will keep building them. But it's not just GM...... most other companies building almost anything you can think of operate nearly the same way. It's way easier to just pass the buck on resposibility and play the I don't give a $hit card.

And oddly I have had GM stuff for a long time as well. After around 2008 I noticed a complete decline and unwillingness at the dealer level to do much of anything without a fight anymore. Okay, same dealer for years but they must suck.... cause that's what the forums said, lol. I tried 3 alternate GM dealers with my junkpile 09 and they all gave the same song and dance as the first about any issue regarding the truck. Fair enough..... The dealers I hit up must all suck right..... yeah well I only have so much time and patience.

Ditched the truck just before the engine cratered and never looked back. And yes the engine blew up... and someone else got to fight with another dealer yet about getting a warranty long block.

TJay74 · February 5, 2013

I am pretty sure there is an open campaign on the interior door handles for the chrome peeling and being a hazard. Have the dealer check, the handles are only $10 for the pair but are a pain in the butt to replace.

louie730 · February 5, 2013

I bought a 2009 Silverado LTZ new and it has never had a single problem. It has not been back to the dealer even once. I guess that I just got a good one but I can not complain about anything. I am glad that I didn't have to deal with the service department from what I hear. If they keep building trucks like mine, I will be a customer for many years to come.

You always hear about the bad things with these trucks but I bet the great majority are happy with their trucks or they would not keep buying them. By the way this is the 6th new GM truck that I have bought and the best truck that I have ever owned.

swalt · February 5, 2013

I bought a 2009 Silverado LTZ new and it has never had a single problem. It has not been back to the dealer even once. I guess that I just got a good one but I can not complain about anything. I am glad that I didn't have to deal with the service department from what I hear. If they keep building trucks like mine, I will be a customer for many years to come.

You always hear about the bad things with these trucks but I bet the great majority are happy with their trucks or they would not keep buying them. By the way this is the 6th new GM truck that I have bought and the best truck that I have ever owned.

Mechanically, I have had very few problems with the truck....everything covered under warranty. I used to detail vehicles when I was younger so I pay a great deal of attention to trim, plastics, etc. I baby this truck. Only hand wash it, 3 stage wax every time I treat the paint. It looks new inside and out, which is even more reason for me to be bothered when chrome peels off of door handles (which is not a coverage on the 2009 by the way I was informed) and trim either cracks or lets go....a second time after it was initially fixed.

Daryl LBZ · February 5, 2013

The problem isn't gm its the avalanche, and sorry to be blunt but they suck!

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That obviously explains everything now! Must be why my Silverado's interior creaks like a 20 year old vehicle. It's not GM though its just the Avalanche's fault.

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2007SierraSLT · February 5, 2013

The whole GMT 900 platform vehicles were cost cutted to death really... I should take some pics of my b pillar trim in my sierra that doesn't fit right and the door sills in the back on both sides that also don't fit right ... Should do that when it warms up, I gave up trying to fit everything back together right...I shouldn't be able to slide my finger between the pillar trim and door seal...

My chrome door handles are peeling too... But I just let it be, I'm not tearing it all apart to change them

6Sixathome · February 5, 2013

The whole GMT 900 platform vehicles were cost cutted to death really... I should take some pics of my b pillar trim in my sierra that doesn't fit right and the door sills in the back on both sides that also don't fit right ... Should do that when it warms up, I gave up trying to fit everything back together right...I shouldn't be able to slide my finger between the pillar trim and door seal...

My chrome door handles are peeling too... But I just let it be, I'm not tearing it all apart to change them

Was your truck in a wreck?

GMCustomerService · February 5, 2013

swalt,

Feel free to contact me as well if you need more assistance. I would be happy to look into this further for you. Thank you.

Tricia, GM Customer Service.

f0st3r · February 5, 2013

Ford and Fiat are that way..

cparks555 · February 5, 2013

I bought a 2009 Silverado LTZ new and it has never had a single problem. It has not been back to the dealer even once. I guess that I just got a good one but I can not complain about anything. I am glad that I didn't have to deal with the service department from what I hear. If they keep building trucks like mine, I will be a customer for many years to come.

You always hear about the bad things with these trucks but I bet the great majority are happy with their trucks or they would not keep buying them. By the way this is the 6th new GM truck that I have bought and the best truck that I have ever owned.

I must have got a good one also, drives great and no rattles.