GM certified truck NOT properly certified.

spartus · November 16, 2013

I recently purchased 2010 Silverado Crew cab with 39k on the clock. I Gave it the quick look over on the outside, inside, and under the hood. Then took it for a 10 mile drive down the bumpy pot hole ridden highway. Then I got on my knees with a flashlight and looked for any obvious panel rust, leaks, or anything that stood out before I purchased it.. I don't think the dealership actually did the certification process and I want someone to re-certify it. Is that possible? The certification paperwork does not show any work performed to meet certification, and every satisfactory checkmark was checked.

Within the 1st 3 days I had a list of 8 items for them to fix:

1. fuel tank hard to fill. Have to let fuel trickle in.

2. check engine light came on after 50 miles ( P0446)

3. remote start stopped working. ( prolly due to check engine light)

4. Passenger door seal leaks air on the highway

5. driver side power door unlock button doesn't work

6. oil cooler lines leaking

7. transmission cooler lines leaking

8. tailgate won't latch on passenger side unless I slam it with the power of Thor.

Parts are on order for those items. Today I look truck over some more and grab the creeper to slide under it.

9. They used some scratch hider to hide all the scratches, and they are now popping out like a bad

case of chicken pox after owning it for 2 weeks. A lot of the scratches are 2 feet long.

10. trailer harness unplugged behind bumper

11. drivers side license plate bulb is good, but does not light.

12. front axle leaking at input shaft

13. passenger sill plate hold down tabs broken, so the sill plate is just sitting there.

14. passenger door panel not installed onto the door properly. It's about 1/2" pulled away from door.

15. truck appears to have been in a rear end accident. hitch is replaced, bumper tips down slightly, the entire box has been repainted and does not match the rest of the truck( my wife noticed that one).

I was wondering why the Z71 labels were missing along with the Chevy symbol on the tailgate.

To top it off, THE SERVICE MANAGER LEASED THIS TRUCK! I figured with it being his personal truck that it had been well taken care of.

Does anyone know what course of action I can take here?

Thanks for any input.

scooby5121 · November 16, 2013

Sounds like you were taken, sorry to hear all the bad news after the fact..

Any warranty, and if so bring them the list. Thats all I would do and right away.

WARRANTY

Keep us posted Spartus and again good luck

nibael · November 16, 2013

trade it back in to them for another truck. probably the best way to deal with it. getting a dealer to fix stuff on a used truck is a hassle. take the next one to an independent shop, pay them to put it up on a rack and check out the truck before you buy it.

CKNSLS · November 16, 2013

I'm sorry dude. Try to get a different truck. I would argue the truck couldn't be certified because it's been in an accident.

BTW-for everyone else I always assume buying a "certified vehicle" is the same as buying a used vehicle. I assume "certified" means nothing and I would still have the vehicle inspected by a third part.

Unfortunately, the OP here here has proven my point.

spartus · November 17, 2013

This is my 3rd certified vehicle in 5 years and have never had an issue until now. The other two vehicles only had one or two things that needed to be fixed within the 12k/12 month warranty and both had over 60k on them when purchased. They both had been properly reconditioned and certified per GM quirements.. It's my fault for going by my past experiences with certified vehicles. I've had this one for over two weeks now, and think my only action is to get GM involved. We like the truck and would prefer to keep it if we can get all the issues resolved. I'm hoping GM will allow me to take it to another dealership and get it re-certified.

CKNSLS · November 17, 2013

Sounds like a plan but there is a cost for re-certification. It costs a Toyota dealer over $500.00 to do the certification for a "certified used" car. I assume GMs costs would be similar. So what I am trying to say is that there is a cost issue and someones got to pay.

thrasher2010 · November 17, 2013

If it was a true "certified" GM Vehicle you should be able to go the certified gm website and run a check on the truck by the vin#.

jdelrizzle · November 17, 2013

Service manger leased it? So what?

A lease is a lease! Only thing i would be worried about is making the monthly payment, not causing any cosmetic damage, and looking good! After that on to the next vehicle.

gmtech4 · November 17, 2013

not sure about if your in the states or not ,but up here in canuck land its called Optimum used and the program is a certified used veh and the customer has 30 days to replace it

what options do you have ?

i would loose it on the dealer principal with the service manager in a meeting ,you WILL be taken care of ...

they will say oooops ,that fell thru the cracks

CKNSLS · November 17, 2013

Service manger leased it? So what?

A lease is a lease! Only thing i would be worried about is making the monthly payment, not causing any cosmetic damage, and looking good! After that on to the next vehicle.

Could have been the service manager who messed it up/Got in to an accident. How do you know?

spartus · November 18, 2013

I may have to go in and threaten a lawsuit if they don't take care of things or take the truck back and make things right. I downloaded the Certified manual from GM that the dealers are supposed to follow, and the vehicle should not have been accepted into the program based on what I read in the manual.

Page 12. Frame damage not allowed. Frame appears bent where bumper and hitch bolt to truck. Tailgate won't shut properly.

Page 15. Paint - Repainted panels must not be off in color or tint.

Page 23. Body finish - No surface scratches longer than 1 inch above the bumper line. No surface scratches longer than 2.5"

below the bumper line. Once the shiny stuff they put on the finish wore off, there are now maybe 30 scratches that exceed those limits.

The dealer is required to recondition the vehicle on their own dime before certifying the vehicle..

hmmmmmm.

gmtech4 · November 18, 2013

id give it back and get my money back and go somewhere else cuz now i couldnt trust them without taking it to a second garage for a wee looksee

good luck dude ,let us know what happens please

CKNSLS · November 18, 2013

I may have to go in and threaten a lawsuit if they don't take care of things or take the truck back and make things right. I downloaded the Certified manual from GM that the dealers are supposed to follow, and the vehicle should not have been accepted into the program based on what I read in the manual.

Page 12. Frame damage not allowed. Frame appears bent where bumper and hitch bolt to truck. Tailgate won't shut properly.

Page 15. Paint - Repainted panels must not be off in color or tint.

Page 23. Body finish - No surface scratches longer than 1 inch above the bumper line. No surface scratches longer than 2.5"

below the bumper line. Once the shiny stuff they put on the finish wore off, there are now maybe 30 scratches that exceed those limits.

The dealer is required to recondition the vehicle on their own dime before certifying the vehicle..

hmmmmmm.

That's what I said earlier. A Toyota dealers cost is $500.00 to certify a vehicle (My son works at a Toyota Dealership). Will this dealer re - certify and make things right? Will GM pay and have another dealer certify this? Based on what your saying-I would run away very fast from this dealer. Have him back out the deal and refund your money and find another truck elsewhere.

MikeInCtown · November 18, 2013

I'm with the others in saying go back with your list of issues along with your copy of what the certification process is and demand they take the truck back. Get GM involved. i might also call the state attorney general's office and find out what you are entitled to do under the law in your state. I do know that letters and even threats from a state attorney general will get you some action.

demonte1997 · November 19, 2013

No lemon law?

GM might help you.. tough to say.

Had the same issue with a dealer in Putnam, CT...

I would also notify the consumer protection division of your state's AG office.

Also the better business bureau in your state.

If all else fails, contact your local news outlet and let them know about it. It's amazing what happens when the public finds out about this sort of thing.