When dealerships refuse to work on a vehicle...

[CounterMeasure]

I've had some cases open with GM to try to get several issues resolved on my Denali. GM had tried to help, somewhat, but now two dealerships have told GM they don't want work on my truck at GM's direct request. GM's customer support person working my case has basically thrown up his hands saying "we can't force a dealership to work on a vehicle" and left me with trying to see if I can get another dealer to look at it without their involvement. I asked him point blank that if dealerships don't want to take the work, what is a customer to do if they can't find a dealership to do what the warranty says? The response was a boilerplate "not going to get into the legal ramifications...".

 

Anyone else hit this type of situation? It sounds really odd to me, since it means a customer is issued a warranty that is actually worthless, and that would never fly legally. Which makes me wonder if I just got a really bad CS rep at GM.

 

Of course, I could just take the loss on a trade in or push buyback and move on, but I'd rather not give GM "free money" like that.

 

 

[jay15892]

What are the issues? What did you do to have two separate dealerships refuse to work with you?

[Bdkfl]

I would try to go to another dealership and not say anything. Treat it like it was the first time. Don't mention that you have already brought it and they refuse to work On it. If you haven't done that already of course!

[Strykers_Inc]

Wouldn't the information follow the truck when they input the VIN to the GM system.

[Ruben Trevino]

To hell with those dealerships, open a case with the attorney general, FTC, Department of transportation, BBB using the 1975 MagnusonMoss Warranty Act. We as consumers have rights and protections that are recognized by the federal government. Do not let them get away with them refusing to honor a warranty service issue. I am currently in a battle with my local dealership as well. They thought they could walk all over me because they made the assumption that I was not informed or educated enough to challenge them in a legal manner. P.S. Stay away from South Texas Buick-GMC

Fight the power ✊?

[Dunc]

^^^It would make me very nervous having a dealership work on my car if they were legally forced to.

OP: Are the dealerships giving a reason when they say no?

[redwngr]

What are the issues? What did you do to have two separate dealerships refuse to work with you?

+1

 

How about a few details? What are the symptoms?

[The Zip]

CounterMeasure - you're making a good point about the warranty. What was the purpose of a GM issued warranty if the dealer is not going to honor it? I need to call my dealer to get smart about this

[CounterMeasure]

Thanks for the replies. The issues include:

1.) Leafspring clunk, which I believe I have resolved by clamping, but believe they should actually fix it.

2.) Noise in steering wheel under minor corrections across long drives. Clockspring already changed but didn't resolve it

3.) Transmission confusion at low speeds, which I know is just software, but I want it at least documented by a dealership there's a problem

4.) Exhaust rattle at certain RPMs

5.) Center radio stack popping as temps change

6.) Paint peel issues on front bumper around rock chips

 

I believe what is happening is when the dealerships contact me after GM contacts them with the issues, they get more details on the issues and decide it isn't worth it to them to take the work on. I can see that from their point of view in that they open themselves up to an already unhappy customer, so I can't really blame them. Just really odd to me that GM has no ability to say "sorry, as part of your dealership license you must actually do warranty work".

 

I may just find another dealership and see if I can go after the issues one by one. Starting with the annoying exhaust rattle.

[El_Diablo_John]

The exhaust rattle is likely the butterfly valve. Try holding it open and toghten a hose clamp around it in that open position to see if this resolves your issue.

 

Paint peeling around stone chips is corrosion setting in. Aside from touching them up or repainting the bumper there is nothing that can be done. This is not a defect.

[Clocked92]

Ok I'll put my two cents in here on your issues.

 

1) They should fix the leaf springs but may not do it considering you already "fixed" it.

2) I have this noise as well. It is very quiet and hard to duplicate even on my own. I can see how on a 10 minute test drive they wouldn't experience this

3) The transmission is working as designed. It will lug down low to conserve as much fuel as possible. There's a difference between "working as designed" and "working like you want it to". Doesn't mean there's necessarily a problem.

4) Exhaust rattle has already been touched on. Dealer should fix on butterfly valve if that is indeed the problem.

5) Come to Canada in the winter and I'll show you how everything pops and creaks when the temperature changes from -30C and then heats up to +20C. Everything expands and contracts when subject to temperature change.

6) The dealership may claim the peeling is from rock chips sustained from your own driving, Some Forum members have had their bumpers repainted but it seems to be a struggle. Depends on how many miles you have on your truck as well. If you have 50k miles on your truck, I don't see them repainting it.

 

Not trying to side with the dealer but I can see their side of it as well. The fact that they flat out refuse to work on it is scary though. Definitely try a different dealer and just mention the one problem you want fixed first. See how that goes and then go from there.

 

Good luck

[CoachRiddla]

To hell with those dealerships, open a case with the attorney general, FTC, Department of transportation, BBB using the 1975 MagnusonMoss Warranty Act. We as consumers have rights and protections that are recognized by the federal government. Do not let them get away with them refusing to honor a warranty service issue. I am currently in a battle with my local dealership as well. They thought they could walk all over me because they made the assumption that I was not informed or educated enough to challenge them in a legal manner. P.S. Stay away from South Texas Buick-GMC

Fight the power ✊?

I bought my truck for them and they are pretty nice about everything? What happened or what?

[Silverado4x4]

Something is not right here, a dealership refusing to work on a vehicle much less 2 of them? I don't think were hearing the full story.

[nards444]

Ok I'll put my two cents in here on your issues.

 

1) They should fix the leaf springs but may not do it considering you already "fixed" it.

2) I have this noise as well. It is very quiet and hard to duplicate even on my own. I can see how on a 10 minute test drive they wouldn't experience this

3) The transmission is working as designed. It will lug down low to conserve as much fuel as possible. There's a difference between "working as designed" and "working like you want it to". Doesn't mean there's necessarily a problem.

4) Exhaust rattle has already been touched on. Dealer should fix on butterfly valve if that is indeed the problem.

5) Come to Canada in the winter and I'll show you how everything pops and creaks when the temperature changes from -30C and then heats up to +20C. Everything expands and contracts when subject to temperature change.

6) The dealership may claim the peeling is from rock chips sustained from your own driving, Some Forum members have had their bumpers repainted but it seems to be a struggle. Depends on how many miles you have on your truck as well. If you have 50k miles on your truck, I don't see them repainting it.

 

Not trying to side with the dealer but I can see their side of it as well. The fact that they flat out refuse to work on it is scary though. Definitely try a different dealer and just mention the one problem you want fixed first. See how that goes and then go from there.

 

Good luck

Yeah I kind of agree. I think some of theings being mentioned are ticky tack or just what is what is. Paint peeling around rock chips, thats damage and not something that is warranty issued. Radio stack popping due to temp change, every vehicle Ive had does that, its cold here. Kind of think theres more to the story here.

[raym0016]

Like others have said, if the dealerships refuse to work on your issues then that is a problem. That being said, what is the full story? How many times did you bring your truck in for some issues that are not warranty issues and DEMAND that they fix them? Did you ever harass them? Were you at any point unprofessional or rude? To have two dealerships "refuse" to work on your truck seems like there is something else to the story.