2009 Avalanche - Just Disappointed With Fit, Finish & Service

[2007SierraSLT]

Was your truck in a wreck?

 

 

Nope no wreck here...

[DanMan_S]

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

 

Sent from my Nokia 5190 using Tapatalk 2

 

 

Since the truck is made by GM, isn't it GM's problem then?

 

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.

 

 

 

Shouldn't you have a 12 month/20000 km warranty on any repairs done? I had to have the rear door locks and my front seat heating elements repaired under warranty at around 58000 km. The service report that I got from the dealership when the work was done clearly says that the parts and labour on the repair are guaranteed for 12 months or 20000 km. And I definitely took them up on it when my heated seats died again within those 20000 km. My truck was at roughly 70000 km when this occurred so I was easily outside of the original warranty.

[swalt]

Since the truck is made by GM, isn't it GM's problem then?

 

 

 

Shouldn't you have a 12 month/20000 km warranty on any repairs done? I had to have the rear door locks and my front seat heating elements repaired under warranty at around 58000 km. The service report that I got from the dealership when the work was done clearly says that the parts and labour on the repair are guaranteed for 12 months or 20000 km. And I definitely took them up on it when my heated seats died again within those 20000 km. My truck was at roughly 70000 km when this occurred so I was easily outside of the original warranty.

 

 

I was told no. Since the service was done under GM bumper to bumper warranty initially, it was only covered for 90 days. I spoke to the original sales manager I bought the truck from, the service manager, the advisor, and GM Canada multiple times. All my routine service and maintenance done by the same selling dealer, and purchased two trucks from them prior...no leeway at all. On the cracked window frame (second time) they offered me 25% off of the retail price of the window which would have come to $556, but then the dealer said $150 to install it. The parts guy offered me the window at cost ($442) and just shook his head at what GM and his own dealership were putting me through. Had I paid out of pocket to have the services completed, I was informed it would have been 1 year coverage.

 

My best friend is a Ford mechanic. He doesn't claim their trucks to be any better (at least not to me), but he did say getting things addressed would be a lot easier when you know someone in the shop.

 

I did send a note to Tricia (the GM rep that responded earlier), but I have not heard anything.

[GMCustomerService]

I did receive your message swalt and will be responding shortly. Thank you.

 

Tricia, GM Customer Service.

[DanMan_S]

I was told no. Since the service was done under GM bumper to bumper warranty initially, it was only covered for 90 days. I spoke to the original sales manager I bought the truck from, the service manager, the advisor, and GM Canada multiple times. All my routine service and maintenance done by the same selling dealer, and purchased two trucks from them prior...no leeway at all. On the cracked window frame (second time) they offered me 25% off of the retail price of the window which would have come to $556, but then the dealer said $150 to install it. The parts guy offered me the window at cost ($442) and just shook his head at what GM and his own dealership were putting me through. Had I paid out of pocket to have the services completed, I was informed it would have been 1 year coverage.

 

My best friend is a Ford mechanic. He doesn't claim their trucks to be any better (at least not to me), but he did say getting things addressed would be a lot easier when you know someone in the shop.

 

I did send a note to Tricia (the GM rep that responded earlier), but I have not heard anything.

 

 

Weird,

 

They must have changed the policy. I had the work done while under the bumper to bumper warranty as well and it clearly said on the paperwork that the repairs were covered for 12 months/20000 km.

[zz50]

I too am upset with GM "warranty". I have a 03 Sierra with the infamous speeding speedo. My 80 km warranty ran out in 18 months and of course the problem started along with R/S window regulator that was opened maybe 10 times, starter went away and u joint and complaint of rust in the front bumper. All this within the 36 month bumper to bumper warranty but out of mileage, Since when will the window regulator, starter, u joint and rust in the bumper be affected by mileage. If GM told me when I bought the truck that the speedo would go out after 80k and cost $700 i would have ran way and bought a good unit, Then 3 years later they offer extended warranty but of course it did not qualify since it was passed the new limit. The bumper also had a TSB but was not acted on so i have rusty brown tattoos I suppose this is how GM wants its units represented on the road as they keep losing market share and customer base for the sake of corporate greed.

[truckofwinandawesome]

we got our Silverado in August of 2009, and the only problems we've had with it is the infamous "Tailgate Badge Rot", and occasionally it throws a P0430 (I'm thinking its weather related), other than those small issues, after almost 40K, we haven't had a major issue. (Knock on wood) IMO, its not The Dealer or GM Corporate that's the Problem; Its where the Avalanche and Crew cabs are BUILT: MEXICO.

[Silverado4x4]

I too am upset with GM "warranty". I have a 03 Sierra with the infamous speeding speedo. My 80 km warranty ran out in 18 months and of course the problem started along with R/S window regulator that was opened maybe 10 times, starter went away and u joint and complaint of rust in the front bumper. All this within the 36 month bumper to bumper warranty but out of mileage, Since when will the window regulator, starter, u joint and rust in the bumper be affected by mileage. If GM told me when I bought the truck that the speedo would go out after 80k and cost $700 i would have ran way and bought a good unit, Then 3 years later they offer extended warranty but of course it did not qualify since it was passed the new limit. The bumper also had a TSB but was not acted on so i have rusty brown tattoos I suppose this is how GM wants its units represented on the road as they keep losing market share and customer base for the sake of corporate greed.

 

Its called vehicle use, wear and tear, exposed to the elements of road salt chemicals (big corrosion problem), paint chips etc.

[VMaxtastic]

Yeah my '07 sierra had allll kinds of noises. I was pretty hesitant about buying a new gm, but i figured i'd give them one more chance. My 2000, and my 2007 both had poor quality parts on the interior. The sunroof on my 07 was absolute garbage. As were the door hinges.

 

Even my 2013, which I didn't actually see till I picked it up, has pretty poor craftsmanship on the door handles and center console. It does feel cheap inside. If this one disappoints, I'll go to a Dodge like originally planned. I know lots of happy Dodge owners, and have driven their half tons. I always seem to have a bad taste in my mouth after buying GM. But with only 1300 km on my truck so far, I'm still happy with it.

[Daryl LBZ]

Yeah my '07 sierra had allll kinds of noises. I was pretty hesitant about buying a new gm, but i figured i'd give them one more chance. My 2000, and my 2007 both had poor quality parts on the interior. The sunroof on my 07 was absolute garbage. As were the door hinges.

 

Even my 2013, which I didn't actually see till I picked it up, has pretty poor craftsmanship on the door handles and center console. It does feel cheap inside. If this one disappoints, I'll go to a Dodge like originally planned. I know lots of happy Dodge owners, and have driven their half tons. I always seem to have a bad taste in my mouth after buying GM. But with only 1300 km on my truck so far, I'm still happy with it.

 

That's how I seem to be getting too. I just had mine at the dealer last week to put a new hinge on my rear cup holder, and a new window switch panel in my drivers door. The cup holder rubbed and creaked really bad, and it wouldn't close right. The switch panel moved around in the door panel.

 

The great thing about my dealer is that they will try to fix almost anything for you under warranty. This is my last brand new GM though I think my next vehicle will be a used Cruze.

[swalt]

I decided to take one more "kick at the can" with my dealership to see if I could get anywhere after writing my initial thread. After speaking with the service manager two weeks back, he finally sat down with the district service manager. They wanted me to fork out $600 to make the repairs to the window and door trim and GM would cover the rest. I wasn't interested, but after some talking we agreed to my $200 extended warranty deductible which will cover the four door trims and a new rear window, all of which has already been replaced once before under warranty. They won't consider the door handles, but I will take what I can get at this point.

[VMaxtastic]

That's how I seem to be getting too. I just had mine at the dealer last week to put a new hinge on my rear cup holder, and a new window switch panel in my drivers door. The cup holder rubbed and creaked really bad, and it wouldn't close right. The switch panel moved around in the door panel. The great thing about my dealer is that they will try to fix almost anything for you under warranty. This is my last brand new GM though I think my next vehicle will be a used Cruze.

My dealer seems pretty good. I chose one from a small town, instead of in the city. They need the business more. So far they have been great. But usually when it comes to repairs I get the...." We have nothing to do with the service side, we just sell em"

 

This was on used ones though. Not a brand new one. He's already asking me if I'll be coming back to trade off in a couple years. I just told him I'd likely lose lots of money on the trade, and he went quiet haha. They seem eager to please and retain customers, so I hope this is the case if I have any issues with my truck down the road.

[VMaxtastic]

I decided to take one more "kick at the can" with my dealership to see if I could get anywhere after writing my initial thread. After speaking with the service manager two weeks back, he finally sat down with the district service manager. They wanted me to fork out $600 to make the repairs to the window and door trim and GM would cover the rest. I wasn't interested, but after some talking we agreed to my $200 extended warranty deductible which will cover the four door trims and a new rear window, all of which has already been replaced once before under warranty. They won't consider the door handles, but I will take what I can get at this point.

It sounds like they are giving an honest effort to help, but you would think that with extended warranty, they would go the extra mile, since you paid that premium. I didn't bother with it myself, as it was only extended years, not KM. I'll hit the 160,000 mark in 3 years.

[Daryl LBZ]

My dealer seems pretty good. I chose one from a small town, instead of in the city. They need the business more. So far they have been great. But usually when it comes to repairs I get the...." We have nothing to do with the service side, we just sell em"

 

This was on used ones though. Not a brand new one. He's already asking me if I'll be coming back to trade off in a couple years. I just told him I'd likely lose lots of money on the trade, and he went quiet haha. They seem eager to please and retain customers, so I hope this is the case if I have any issues with my truck down the road.

 

 

Same here. The one we bought out vehicles from is in a very small town, but they have the best selection of anyone in my area. They are also easier to haggle with, and most of the time their first offer is really close to what I want for my trade in. They are a very good dealership, and the rest in my area are horrible.

[GMCustomerService]

zz50,

 

Have you been in contact with GM of Canada? You can reach them at 800-263-3777. The hours of operation are M-F 7:30am - 11:30pm, Sat 7:30am - 6:00 EST. Please feel free to keep me posted or contact me with further questions. Thank you.

 

Tricia, GM Customer Service.