So I did something yesterday...

tmar480 · August 1, 2019

Yesterday I have finally had enough with my truck and I filed a lemon law for my 2018 GMC Sierra. Ever since took this truck off the lot, it was nothing but problems and inconveniences for me. This was my first truck that I actually bought after graduating college and it has been the biggest purchase regret. I really do like the truck, I tired my best to work through it with the multiple dealerships to try to get this taken care of. All I have been doing it going around in a circle with GM and I have had enough. It has been in the shop a numerous amounts of times and nothing has been fixed or attempted to be fixed. GM got involved by sending out a "specialist" and was not even helpful at the slightest bit and was told that my problem was "normal" and it was working as "designed". My problem is, there is a clicking sound coming behind the odometer and has been doing that for 5 months now. I have tired to fix it myself and I couldn't figure it out but its quite possible the most annoying thing to hear when you are cruising to work in the morning, or just driving around in general. Overall, I just want GM to either buy my truck back so I can get something that doesn't piss me off every time I drive it.

Has anyone had any first experience with a lemon before and could give me some advise?

Appreciate it,

JimCost2014 · August 1, 2019

57 minutes ago, tmar480 said:

Yesterday I have finally had enough with my truck and I filed a lemon law for my 2018 GMC Sierra. Ever since took this truck off the lot, it was nothing but problems and inconveniences for me. This was my first truck that I actually bought after graduating college and it has been the biggest purchase regret. I really do like the truck, I tired my best to work through it with the multiple dealerships to try to get this taken care of. All I have been doing it going around in a circle with GM and I have had enough. It has been in the shop a numerous amounts of times and nothing has been fixed or attempted to be fixed. GM got involved by sending out a "specialist" and was not even helpful at the slightest bit and was told that my problem was "normal" and it was working as "designed". My problem is, there is a clicking sound coming behind the odometer and has been doing that for 5 months now. I have tired to fix it myself and I couldn't figure it out but its quite possible the most annoying thing to hear when you are cruising to work in the morning, or just driving around in general. Overall, I just want GM to either buy my truck back so I can get something that doesn't piss me off every time I drive it.

Has anyone had any first experience with a lemon before and could give me some advise?

Appreciate it,

No experience with the Lemon Law, but know how the "buy back", or trade allowance works.

First, do you have an active claim open with GM on this issue?

newdude · August 1, 2019

So did the dealer read anything in the PI for dash noises?

Quote

#PIT5438E: Click / Rattle / Tick / Pop / Creak / or Squeak Noise from Dash Area - (Oct 29, 2018)

Supersession Statement

This PI has been updated to add conditions 4 and 5. Please discard PIT5438D.

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern

Condition 1: Tinny or metallic rattle type noise from the IP area to the left of the steering column.
The noise may be caused by the 110 Volt Power Inverter Module not being seated properly in the mounting bracket (if equipped with RPO K14).

Condition 2: Rattle, squeak or itch type noise from the center of the dash in the radio area.

The instrument panel accessory bezel may be rattling due to insufficient tension of retainers. Press on the bezel while duplicating noise to see if it is eliminated.

Condition 3: Rattle or itch type noise from the dash area near the windshield
Defroster grill may be rattling due to insufficient retention of retainers. Press on defroster grill ( # 1 in illustration) while duplicating concern to see if it is eliminated.

Condition 4: Rattle, tick, knock type noise from the front center floor or center of dash area (Applies to trucks equipped with center console subwoofer speaker)
This concern could be caused by the radio subwoofer speaker mounting nuts either being loose or missing.

Condition 5: Creak, ticking or popping type noise heard from the left center stack area. (This issue only applies to Full Size Utilities built before November 18, 2016)
This concern could be caused by the use of an incorrect screw that secures the instrument panel carrier in place. The screw that may have been used is too long, and it may contact the instrument panel tie bar.  In some cases, this noise may only occur after the vehicle has been driven for a period of time.

Condition 6: Chirp or squeak noise coming from the lower left side of the center stack area.

This concern could be caused by loose retaining nuts on the chassis harness retention bracket that is located below the brake booster.

Condition 7: Rattle noise coming from the drivers footwell area.
This concern could be caused by the IP junction block cover moving and causing a rattle noise.

Recommendation/Instructions

Correction 1 (for vehicles equipped with 110 Volt AC Converter - RPO K14):
Follow SI to locate the Accessory AC and DC Power Control Module located to the right of the steering column.

See #1 in photos below:

Inspect the power inverter module for possibly moving slightly against mounting bracket and creating the noise.

Remove the K14 power inverter module and apply two sided tape to the module bracket to insulate it from the mount.

Two sided tape is available through Kent Automotive, part # P40519 which is a ½”x 50’ roll or it may be obtained locally.

Correction 2:
Wrap Kent automotive BRS flocking tape part number KT13487 over retainers (#1 in illustration) and reinstall bezel.

This will require an application of BRS flocking tape on ten retainers (one strip @ 1” x 10”). Two sheets should repair 16 vehicles.

Correction 3:
Remove defroster grill.

Apply foam tape around connectors located under grill to prevent them from rattling on grill. See # 1 in illustrations.

Apply foam tape to all mounting hooks in the front of the defroster grill # 1 and apply a strip of foam tape along the edge of the grill to isolate the grill from the dash #2.

Wrap Kent automotive BRS flocking tape part number KT13487 over the metal retaining tabs that secure defroster grill in position #3.

Foam tape can be obtained from Kent Automotive, part # KT15103 (40 ft roll) or it may be obtained locally.

Correction 4
To correct this issue, inspect the center console subwoofer speaker (2) mounting nuts (1) for being loose or missing. Subwoofer speaker mounting is shown below. Install and tighten the subwoofer speaker mounting nut(s) to 6 Nm (53 lb in).

Correction 5: (This issue only applies to Full Size Utilities built before November 18, 2016)

The screw shown in the photos below may be too long and the screw tip actually contacts the instrument panel tie bar. This contact is shown as item #4 below. This screw secures the instrument panel carrier to the instrument panel tie bar.

Chevrolet/GMC models are shown as item# 1 and a close-up of this fastener can be seen as item #2. Replace this screw with a shorter fastener, GM part number 11547755, which is approximately 24 mm in length.

Cadillac models can be seen in item #3 below. Replace this screw with a shorter fastener, GM part number 11547755, which is approximately 24 mm in length as well.

Correction 6:

The following picture shows the chassis harness retaining bracket and nuts (2) below the brake booster (1). Verify the retaining nuts are tight.

Correction 7:

To correct this issue use foam tape to insulate the IP junction block cover to prevent movement which is causing the rattle type noise.

Donstar · August 1, 2019

1 hour ago, tmar480 said:

Yesterday I have finally had enough with my truck and I filed a lemon law for my 2018 GMC Sierra. Ever since took this truck off the lot, it was nothing but problems and inconveniences for me. My problem is, there is a clicking sound coming behind the odometer and has been doing that for 5 months now.

Are there more issues or is it just the clicking? If you like the truck and this is the only or most significant complaint, be patient and persistent. Share the information provided by Newdude and get it fixed. Enjoy your new truck and take full advantage of your new vehicle warranty. This is why new vehicles come with this protection. I have purchased several new vehicles and keep a notepad close by. I write down any problems, annoyances or questions and visit the service department.as needed.

tmar480 · August 1, 2019

1 hour ago, JimCost2014 said:

No experience with the Lemon Law, but know how the "buy back", or trade allowance works.

First, do you have an active claim open with GM on this issue?

I had an old claim that they closed because it was deemed "normal" and working as "designed" did not agree with it but nothing I could do going forward. My current issue there has been no claim opened because I do not have the time, nor patience to go through that again.

Can you inform me on how the buy back or trade allowance works please?

tmar480 · August 1, 2019

58 minutes ago, newdude said:

So did the dealer read anything in the PI for dash noises?

The only PI that they found was to replace the steering column boot and that did not fix the problem. Not once did they look into any other ones, plus I've been to 3 different dealerships, 2 in AZ and 1 in Texas cause I recently moved here for my job. They couldn't duplicate the sound which makes zero sense because as soon as I pull it off the lot I hear it and I drove around with two dealer guys in AZ and they heard it but the technicians couldn't therefore they couldn't do anything with it. And I took it into the Texas dealership and the service guy wouldn't even go on a test drive because "if I can hear it but the technical can't then there's no point" Three days later they couldn't duplicate the sounds. Picked it up this AM and I am sticking to the lemon law because I have literally had enough at this point.

tmar480 · August 1, 2019

13 minutes ago, Donstar said:

Are there more issues or is it just the clicking? If you like the truck and this is the only or most significant complaint, be patient and persistent. Share the information provided by Newdude and get it fixed. Enjoy your new truck and take full advantage of your new vehicle warranty. This is why new vehicles come with this protection. I have purchased several new vehicles and keep a notepad close by. I write down any problems, annoyances or questions and visit the service department.as needed.

I had one prior issues that ran in circles and they closed my case because they deemed the part in question to be working as "designed". But I am going to address that in my case because it is an issue that was never cleared up on GM's part. Well this is the main issue but the other one is the B column ticking on both sides. At this point I am just beyond fed up and every time I drive it, I just get so frustrated that this is even an issue. I didn't spending 40k+ on a truck that has been nothing but problems for me.

Doug_Scott · August 1, 2019

7 minutes ago, tmar480 said:

The only PI that they found was to replace the steering column boot and that did not fix the problem. Not once did they look into any other ones, plus I've been to 3 different dealerships, 2 in AZ and 1 in Texas cause I recently moved here for my job. They couldn't duplicate the sound which makes zero sense because as soon as I pull it off the lot I hear it and I drove around with two dealer guys in AZ and they heard it but the technicians couldn't therefore they couldn't do anything with it. And I took it into the Texas dealership and the service guy wouldn't even go on a test drive because "if I can hear it but the technical can't then there's no point" Three days later they couldn't duplicate the sounds. Picked it up this AM and I am sticking to the lemon law because I have literally had enough at this point.

Having worked many years at dealerships, I would ask the customer to show me how to make the noise they are complaining about. I also had cases where the customer came with the work order. You have to understand and accept that if the technician is unable to create the noise there is no way they can fix it. The dealerships know this as well. Something I learned very early in my career is that once you hear a noise that bothers you, you will learn quickly how to get it to occur every time, it will become your "normal" way of driving.

My grandfather once had a new car in the 60s that after about 6 months there was a squeak under the car. He was driving the service department nuts complaining about that squeak. Everytime he took it in, the squeak would not happen. He was going to dump the car and buy another before they finally found the issue. My grandmother used to get car sick if she rode in the front seat, so she always sat in the back. When my grandfather took the car in, he left her at home. Once he recognized that, he could get the squeak to happen with the technician in the back seat on a road test and they quickly found the issue.

Google should have many examples of how the lemon law works in your state. Generally if GM is going to buy back your truck it will also come with a non disclosure agreement as well.

Ozer · August 1, 2019

Will they buy it back just because of a click behind the dash? Seems silly to me, idk?

At the very least they can take the cluster out and see if anything is loose.

JimCost2014 · August 1, 2019

1 hour ago, tmar480 said:

I had an old claim that they closed because it was deemed "normal" and working as "designed" did not agree with it but nothing I could do going forward. My current issue there has been no claim opened because I do not have the time, nor patience to go through that again.

Can you inform me on how the buy back or trade allowance works please?

Both will require help from a dealership, you mentioned that you have dealt with many.

Do you have a good relationship with the one you bought it from?

Need a open claim with GM, stating how dissatisfied you are with the truck, don't bring up the lemon law yet, because they will just let you pursue it.

It takes time, so be nice, persistent, realistic in what you are trying to achieve, because the one deciding factor is one of the dealerships signing off that they could not fix the problem with your truck leading to your dissatisfaction with the truck. Which means they failed at their job, or the problem just can't be fixed.

Trade allowance is only for another new GM truck, buy back gives you the option, they pay you the value of your truck, and you walk away, or take that money and apply it towards another new GM truck, which they prefer and I would guess gets you more value out of yours.

I have gone through both, and they are not a quick process either way, but you get the most bang for your buck literally on the trade value, and GM keeps you in one of their trucks.

tmar480 · August 1, 2019

27 minutes ago, Ozer said:

Will they buy it back just because of a click behind the dash? Seems silly to me, idk?

At the very least they can take the cluster out and see if anything is loose.

Haha might be silly to you but when you are driving down the road with the radio on and you hear a clicking sound you may think differently. Trust me, I have took apart my whole driver side dash and I couldn't get behind the actual dash where its coming from and idk what else to do? Lol I didn't file it just to file it, I filed it because something is actually wrong and its not getting addressed.

Ozer · August 1, 2019

1 minute ago, tmar480 said:

Haha might be silly to you but when you are driving down the road with the radio on and you hear a clicking sound you may think differently. Trust me, I have took apart my whole driver side dash and I couldn't get behind the actual dash where its coming from and idk what else to do? Lol I didn't file it just to file it, I filed it because something is actually wrong and its not getting addressed.

I didnt mean you were silly for it, its just silly that GM cant or wont do something so a lemon law has to be filed for a clicking sound.

Maybe now they will do something since you filed it. Fire under them so to speak.

Ozer · August 1, 2019

1 minute ago, tmar480 said:

Haha might be silly to you but when you are driving down the road with the radio on and you hear a clicking sound you may think differently. Trust me, I have took apart my whole driver side dash and I couldn't get behind the actual dash where its coming from and idk what else to do? Lol I didn't file it just to file it, I filed it because something is actually wrong and its not getting addressed.

I didnt mean you were silly for it, its just silly that GM cant or wont do something so a lemon law has to be filed for a clicking sound.

Maybe now they will do something since you filed it. Fire under them so to speak.

tmar480 · August 1, 2019

14 minutes ago, JimCost2014 said:

Both will require help from a dealership, you mentioned that you have dealt with many.

Do you have a good relationship with the one you bought it from?

Need a open claim with GM, stating how dissatisfied you are with the truck, don't bring up the lemon law yet, because they will just let you pursue it.

It takes time, so be nice, persistent, realistic in what you are trying to achieve, because the one deciding factor is one of the dealerships signing off that they could not fix the problem with your truck leading to your dissatisfaction with the truck. Which means they failed at their job, or the problem just can't be fixed.

Trade allowance is only for another new GM truck, buy back gives you the option, they pay you the value of your truck, and you walk away, or take that money and apply it towards another new GM truck, which they prefer and I would guess gets you more value out of yours.

I have gone through both, and they are not a quick process either way, but you get the most bang for your buck literally on the trade value, and GM keeps you in one of their trucks.

The thing is I bought my truck from a dealership in AZ but I now live in Texas. I mean they will know my name when they get the paper from the attorney office that's forsure. I'm not opening another claim with them, just to speak with "specialists" who don't know anything/ But we will see where it goes. Hoping for the best

tmar480 · August 1, 2019

3 minutes ago, Ozer said:

I didnt mean you were silly for it, its just silly that GM cant or wont do something so a lemon law has to be filed for a clicking sound.

Maybe now they will do something since you filed it. Fire under them so to speak.

It's just my whole GM experience was absolute garbage from the get go and I'm done dealing with it myself. We will see where this goes once my lawyer gets involved.